Oppo Reno14 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Oppo Reno14 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra represent vastly different approaches to the Android flagship experience. The Reno14 aims to deliver a compelling blend of performance and features at a more accessible price point, while the S23 Ultra remains the benchmark for premium Android devices. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs and budget.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a complete, premium experience, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the clear winner. Its superior battery life, brighter display, and more refined camera system justify the higher price. However, the Oppo Reno14 offers exceptional value for those seeking flagship-level performance without the flagship price tag.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno14 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - 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, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 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, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2025, May 152023, February 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 23Available. Released 2023, February 17
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), aluminum alloy frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.9 x 74.7 x 7.3 mm (6.22 x 2.94 x 0.29 in)163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight187 g (6.60 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 7i or Crystal Shield GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1256 x 2760 pixels (~460 ppi density)1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 105.6 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 600 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x3.20 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.20 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)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8350 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMali G615-MC6Adreno 740
OSAndroid 15, ColorOS 15Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED 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
Single-12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.8, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, HDR8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR, HDR10+
Single50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), AF12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 55.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (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, 13.5W PD, 33W PPS Reverse wired45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Type6000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsTranquil Green (Forest Green), Brilliant White (Pearl White), Black, GreenPhantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition
ModelsPLA110, CPH2737SM-S918B, SM-S918B/DS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, SM-S918W, SM-S918N, SM-S9180, SM-S918E, SM-S918E/DS
Price$ 749.00 / £ 599.00 / ₹ 36,799€ 549.90 / $ 454.99 / £ 433.00
SAR1.12 W/kg (head)     0.85 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 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)

Oppo Reno14

  • Incredibly fast 80W wired charging
  • More affordable price point
  • Powerful Dimensity 8350 chipset

  • Likely inferior camera system compared to S23 Ultra
  • Battery life likely shorter than S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

  • Exceptional battery life (13:24h active use)
  • Superior camera system with advanced features
  • Brighter and more refined display

  • Significantly higher price
  • Slower 45W wired charging

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1274 nits, compared to an unstated peak brightness for the Reno14. While the Reno14’s display quality is likely very good, the S23 Ultra’s panel offers superior visibility in direct sunlight. Both displays feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. The S23 Ultra likely utilizes LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, contributing to better power efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the Reno14.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the specifics differ greatly. The S23 Ultra is renowned for its versatile camera system, likely featuring a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Reno14’s camera system, while capable, is expected to be less sophisticated. Without detailed sensor information for the Reno14, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but the S23 Ultra’s reputation for image quality and zoom capabilities gives it a significant advantage. The Reno14 may rely more heavily on software processing to compensate for hardware limitations.

Performance

At the heart of the Reno14 lies the Mediatek Dimensity 8350 (4nm), featuring an octa-core configuration with a Cortex-A715 prime core clocked at 3.35 GHz. The S23 Ultra, however, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), utilizing a more advanced CPU architecture with a Cortex-X3 prime core at 3.36 GHz. This architectural difference, coupled with the Snapdragon’s optimized GPU, translates to superior sustained performance and gaming capabilities for the S23 Ultra. While both chips are built on a 4nm process, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 generally exhibits better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended demanding tasks.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours and achieves 13:24 hours of active use, demonstrating exceptional battery life. The Reno14’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 80W wired charging capability is a major advantage, allowing for significantly faster charging times compared to the S23 Ultra’s 45W charging. The Reno14 also supports 33W PPS and 13.5W PD, offering flexibility in charging options. While the S23 Ultra’s battery lasts longer on a single charge, the Reno14’s faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno14 if you need a powerful daily driver with incredibly fast 80W charging and are willing to compromise on some camera features and the absolute highest level of display refinement. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if you demand the best possible camera system, a stunningly bright and color-accurate display, and all-day battery life, and are prepared to pay a premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much faster is the Oppo Reno14's 80W charging compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's 45W charging in real-world scenarios?
The Reno14's 80W charging can potentially top up the battery from 0-100% in under 30 minutes, while the S23 Ultra's 45W charging takes closer to an hour. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly recharge their phones.
❓ Does the Dimensity 8350 in the Oppo Reno14 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile at high settings without significant frame drops?
The Dimensity 8350 is a powerful chipset capable of running most mobile games at high settings. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the S23 Ultra offers superior sustained performance and thermal management, resulting in fewer frame drops during extended gaming sessions. The Reno14 may require slightly lower settings for optimal performance in the most demanding titles.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications for the Oppo Reno14 a cause for concern compared to the well-documented S23 Ultra camera system?
Yes, the lack of specifics suggests the Reno14's camera system is not as advanced as the S23 Ultra's. While the Reno14 can likely take good photos in ideal conditions, it may struggle in low-light scenarios or when capturing fast-moving subjects compared to the S23 Ultra's more sophisticated camera hardware and image processing.