The smartphone landscape offers choices at every price point. We pit the Acer Super ZX, a contender in the increasingly competitive mid-range segment, against the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, a reigning champion of the flagship class. This comparison isn't about declaring a single 'winner,' but about identifying which device best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance, camera quality, and long-term software support, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the clear choice. However, the Acer Super ZX presents a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious users who prioritize essential features and don't require the absolute best.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, May 26 | 2023, February 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May 26 | Available. Released 2023, February 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 8.6 mm thickness | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 234 g (8.25 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Stylus (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | Yes | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, HDR10+ |
| Single | Yes | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio
Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support)
Bixby natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 35 min | 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Black, Cosmic Green, Lunar Blue | Phantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition |
| Models | - | SM-S918B, SM-S918B/DS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, SM-S918W, SM-S918N, SM-S9180, SM-S918E, SM-S918E/DS |
| Price | ₹ 8,999 | € 549.90 / $ 454.99 / £ 433.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.12 W/kg (head) 0.92 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 1241531 (v9)
GeekBench: 4927 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 67fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Acer Super ZX
- Significantly lower price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Potentially longer software support than older mid-range phones
- Inferior chipset and GPU performance
- Likely a less capable camera system
- Missing wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Top-tier performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Exceptional camera system with advanced features
- Bright and vibrant display with LTPO technology
- High price tag
- Large and heavy form factor
- May be overkill for basic users
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1274 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Acer Super ZX. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the Acer ZX’s panel details are missing, the S23 Ultra’s likely utilizes LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life. The S23 Ultra’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks, a benefit of its OLED technology, which the Super ZX may or may not have.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is expected to excel. While specific sensor details for the Acer Super ZX are unavailable, Samsung’s flagship typically features a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The S23 Ultra’s camera system benefits from Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), crucial for sharp photos and stable videos, especially in low light. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Super ZX suggests a more basic camera experience focused on convenience rather than professional-grade results. We can assume the Super ZX will lack the advanced features like 8K video recording found on the S23 Ultra.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is built on a more efficient process node than the Acer Super ZX’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm). This means the Snapdragon will deliver significantly higher sustained performance and better thermal management. The S23 Ultra’s CPU configuration – a Cortex-X3 prime core alongside A715 and A710 performance cores – is architecturally superior to the Super ZX’s Cortex-A76 and A55 setup. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s Adreno GPU will also provide a far more capable graphics experience, crucial for gaming and demanding applications. The Super ZX will handle everyday tasks, but the S23 Ultra is in a different league.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra demonstrates impressive battery endurance, achieving an endurance rating of 126 hours and 13:24 hours of active use. While the Acer Super ZX’s battery capacity is unknown, the S23 Ultra’s larger battery and more efficient chipset contribute to its longevity. Charging speeds differ: the S23 Ultra supports 45W wired charging (65% in 30 minutes), 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless. The Super ZX offers 33W wired charging (50% in 35 minutes), lacking wireless charging capabilities. The S23 Ultra’s faster charging and wireless options provide greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Acer Super ZX if you need a reliable daily driver with decent performance for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming, and are unwilling to exceed a $400 budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if you demand top-tier performance for demanding applications like video editing and gaming, a professional-grade camera system, and the longevity of a premium flagship device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 in the Acer Super ZX capable of handling demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 6300 can run Genshin Impact, expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense scenes. It's not optimized for high-end gaming like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the S23 Ultra.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is known for its improved thermal efficiency compared to previous generations. While some heat is inevitable during extended gaming, the S23 Ultra’s advanced cooling system minimizes throttling and maintains consistent performance for longer periods.
❓ How does the 33W charging on the Acer Super ZX compare to the 45W charging on the S23 Ultra in real-world use?
The S23 Ultra’s 45W charging will noticeably reduce charging times. While the Super ZX’s 33W is adequate, the S23 Ultra can gain a significant amount of charge in a shorter timeframe, making it more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect from Acer for the Super ZX?
Acer's software update track record is less consistent than Samsung's. While the Super ZX will likely receive security updates for a period, major Android version updates may be limited compared to the S23 Ultra, which is guaranteed several years of updates.
