Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy Xcover 5
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Galaxy S23 Ultra
Starting at
£369.24£1,599.00 new
Galaxy Xcover 5
Starting at
£60.00What's the difference between the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy Xcover 5?
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Xcover 5 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy Xcover 5 starts at £60, £309.24 less than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the newer model, released in 2023.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Exynos 850 on the Galaxy Xcover 5.
- The Galaxy S23 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3000 mAh.
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy Xcover 5 specs
The Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy Xcover 5 differ significantly in features and design suited to different users. The Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a large, high-resolution AMOLED screen with a fast refresh rate and plenty of memory and storage options, making it ideal for users who want a premium multimedia experience and powerful performance. The Galaxy Xcover 5, with its smaller screen and simpler hardware, fits those seeking a more compact phone with essential features, including a microSDXC slot for expandable storage. Network compatibility and battery size also differ, with the S23 Ultra supporting 5G and a larger battery, while the Xcover 5 provides 4G and a smaller battery, suiting different connectivity needs and usage patterns.
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy Xcover 5 price
Colour
Storage
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy Xcover 5 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity and operating system. These aspects influence how long each device can run before recharging and what Android version is available.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery, supporting longer use between charges, which benefits heavy users or those often away from power sources. The Galaxy Xcover 5 has a 3000 mAh battery, suiting users with lighter daily needs or those who prioritise a smaller device.
Operating System Version
The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with Android 13, offering newer features and improvements in security and usability. The Galaxy Xcover 5 runs Android 11, providing a solid and familiar experience for everyday use.
Battery
OS at launch
Software updates
Year of release
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy Xcover 5 performance
Performance relates to processing power, memory, and storage. These determine how well the device handles apps, multitasking, and how much data can be stored locally.
Processor and RAM
The Galaxy S23 Ultra features a Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with 12 GB of RAM, supporting demanding apps, multitasking, and fast responsiveness. The Galaxy Xcover 5 uses an Exynos 850 chipset with 4 GB of RAM, suitable for everyday tasks and basic app use.
Storage Options
The Galaxy S23 Ultra offers large storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, fitting users who store many apps, media, or files. The Galaxy Xcover 5 provides 64GB of storage, which suits users with lighter storage needs or those who can use the microSDXC slot for expansion.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy Xcover 5 screen
Screen quality affects how you view content, including size, resolution, type, and refresh rate. These differences impact clarity, colour, and smoothness of visuals.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a large 6.8 inch screen with a high resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels, offering a spacious and sharp display for video, gaming, and reading. The Galaxy Xcover 5 has a smaller 5.3 inch screen with 720 x 1480 pixels, suitable for users wanting a more compact phone with adequate clarity.
Screen Type and Refresh Rate
The Galaxy S23 Ultra uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colours and smooth motion, ideal for multimedia and fast scrolling. The Galaxy Xcover 5 has a PLS LCD screen with a 60 Hz refresh rate, which provides consistent performance for everyday viewing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy Xcover 5 camera
Audiovisual features focus on camera quality. Higher megapixels can capture more detail, affecting photo and video quality.
Front Camera
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 12 megapixel front camera, suited for clearer and more detailed selfies or video calls. The Galaxy Xcover 5 offers a 5 megapixel front camera, fitting users who need standard front-facing photos and video.
Main Camera
The Galaxy S23 Ultra features a 200 megapixel main camera, allowing for highly detailed photos and advanced photography. The Galaxy Xcover 5 has a 16 megapixel main camera, suitable for everyday photos and casual use.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy Xcover 5 size and design
Miscellaneous specs include network compatibility, physical size, SIM options, and storage flexibility. These details matter for connectivity, portability, and how you expand the device.
Network and SIM
The Galaxy S23 Ultra supports 5G networks and has Dual Physical SIM plus eSIM, fitting users who want faster network speeds and flexible SIM options. The Galaxy Xcover 5 supports 4G and uses a single Physical SIM, ideal for straightforward mobile use.
Expandable Storage
The Galaxy Xcover 5 includes a microSDXC slot, allowing users to add more storage as needed. The Galaxy S23 Ultra does not have an SD card slot, so storage capacity depends on the built-in options.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy S23 Ultra measures 163.4 mm by 78.1 mm by 8.9 mm and weighs 234 g, providing a large but heavier phone. The Galaxy Xcover 5 is smaller at 147.1 mm by 71.6 mm by 9.2 mm and lighter at 172 g, suited for users preferring a compact and lighter device.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S23 Ultra or Galaxy Xcover 5: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3000 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.8 inch vs 5.3 inch)
Buy the Galaxy Xcover 5 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £60, £309.24 less than the Galaxy S23 Ultra
- you want a lighter build (172 g vs 234 g)
- you want a memory card slot
What our customers say
Customers who bought the Galaxy S23 Ultra describe it as looking and working like new, often exceeding expectations for a refurbished device. They highlight the smooth and fast performance, excellent cameras, and solid battery life. Many mention the phone's large, pristine screen and the value of having a high-end device at a lower price. Some customers appreciate the sustainable aspect of buying refurbished and find the device a notable upgrade from previous phones.
Galaxy Xcover 5 customers often mention the phone's tough build and reliable performance for everyday use. Many find it easy to set up and appreciate the size and simplicity. Reviews describe the phone as looking like new or having very few signs of wear. Users value the removable back cover and microSDXC slot for added storage. The device suits those seeking a straightforward, functional phone that meets basic needs without fuss.
Overall, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is chosen by users wanting a premium, feature-rich smartphone with high performance and advanced cameras. The Galaxy Xcover 5 appeals to those who need a durable, compact phone for everyday use and appreciate expandable storage and simplicity.
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy Xcover 5 FAQs
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Xcover 5 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Exynos 850 on the Galaxy Xcover 5. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
The Galaxy Xcover 5 is cheaper refurbished, from £60 compared with £369.24 for the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3000 mAh.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 200 megapixels vs 16 megapixels.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra gets updates until Feb 2028. We don't have published update dates for the Galaxy Xcover 5.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra adds more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3000 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.8 inch vs 5.3 inch). Refurbished, it costs £309.24 more (from £369.24 vs £60).
Refurbished, the Galaxy S23 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the Galaxy Xcover 5 in 64GB.









