OnePlus 10 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

The OnePlus 10 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra represent different approaches to the premium smartphone market. OnePlus focuses on speed and value, while Samsung delivers a feature-packed flagship experience. But which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the overall winner, boasting a superior display, significantly better camera system, and longer software support. However, the OnePlus 10 Pro offers incredible value with its blazing-fast charging and smooth performance, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious users.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 10 Pro Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, January 112023, February 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 13Available. Released 2023, February 17
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions163 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)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· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight201 g (7.09 oz)234 g (8.25 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant - T-Mobile only (not for use underwater, liquid damage is not covered under warranty)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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO2 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS (China)Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser 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
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm-
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, HDR10+
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (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
Charging80W wired, PD, 100% in 32 min (International) 65W wired, PD, 58% in 15 min (North America) 50W wireless Reverse wireless45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsVolcanic Black, Emerald Forest, Panda White (Extreme Edition)Phantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition
ModelsNE2210, NE2211, NE2213, NE2215, NE2217SM-S918B, SM-S918B/DS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, SM-S918W, SM-S918N, SM-S9180, SM-S918E, SM-S918E/DS
Price$ 264.39 / C$ 349.99 / £ 360.00 / € 399.99€ 549.90 / $ 454.99 / £ 433.00
SAR1.16 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)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 107h Endurance rating 126h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.2 LUFS (Very good) -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 886248 (v9) GeekBench: 3447 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 1241531 (v9) GeekBench: 4927 (v5.1) GFXBench: 67fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus 10 Pro

  • Blazing-fast 80W wired charging (International)
  • Smooth performance
  • Competitive price
  • Excellent display

  • Camera not as good as S23 Ultra
  • Slower wireless charging
  • Software support may be shorter than Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

  • Exceptional camera system
  • Stunning display
  • Long-term software support
  • Premium design and build quality

  • Higher price
  • Slower charging compared to OnePlus 10 Pro (International)
  • Can be bulky

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's display is a clear winner. Its 1274 nits peak brightness blows the OnePlus 10 Pro's 780 nits out of the water, offering exceptional visibility even in direct sunlight. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the S23 Ultra's Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology provides richer colors and better overall image quality. The S23 Ultra also features a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, while the OnePlus 10 Pro also has a 120Hz refresh rate.

Camera Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's camera system is a significant upgrade. Its 200MP main sensor captures incredible detail, and its telephoto lenses offer impressive zoom capabilities. The OnePlus 10 Pro's camera is good, but it lacks the versatility and image quality of the S23 Ultra. Samsung's image processing is also generally more refined.

Performance

While both phones are powered by Snapdragon chips, the S23 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a noticeable performance advantage. The Gen 2 is more efficient and delivers smoother multitasking and gaming. The OnePlus 10 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is still very capable, but it can run hotter under sustained load. Both phones have ample RAM for smooth operation.

Battery Life

The S23 Ultra demonstrates a better active use score (13:24h) compared to the OnePlus 10 Pro. While the OnePlus 10 Pro boasts an impressive endurance rating (107h), real-world usage shows the S23 Ultra lasting longer. The S23 Ultra's 45W charging is slower than the OnePlus 10 Pro's 80W wired charging (International) but still respectable. The S23 Ultra's wireless charging is significantly slower.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the OnePlus 10 Pro? Users prioritizing fast charging, smooth performance, and a more affordable price tag. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra? Those seeking the best camera, a stunning display, long-term software support, and a premium, feature-rich experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra generally offers better battery life in active use, although the OnePlus 10 Pro has a higher endurance rating.
❓ Is the OnePlus 10 Pro still worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the OnePlus 10 Pro remains a good value option, especially if you prioritize fast charging and smooth performance. However, consider that it's an older model and may not receive as many software updates as the S23 Ultra.