Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro

Our Verdict: The Galaxy S23 Ultra is 16 years newer than the Galaxy XCover 7 Pro, and it shows in the specs. The S23 Ultra 5G has a massively higher-resolution main camera, 200MP against the XCover 7 Pro's 50MP, and the S23 Ultra 5G packs the bigger battery, 5000mAh against 4350mAh, which should mean longer between charges in day-to-day use. The S23 Ultra 5G has the stronger screen, bigger at 6.8" against 6.6" and sharper at 500 PPI, and storage goes higher on the S23 Ultra 5G, up to 512GB against 128GB. The S23 Ultra 5G is the better phone; upgrade from the XCover 7 Pro if you want the newer hardware, or hold on if yours still does the job.

Buying outright, the S23 Ultra 5G starts at £330 SIM-free.

Screen
6.8" 6.6"
Display
Dynamic AMOLED 2X IPS LCD
Resolution
1440 x 3080 1080 x 2408
Pixels Per Inch
500 400
Rear Camera
200 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset
Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery
5,000 mAh 4,350 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB 128GB
OS
Android 13 Android 15
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm 168.6 x 79.9 x 10.2 mm
Weight
233 grams 240 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£59.00/mo (£30.00 upfront) -
SIM-free
£329.95 £499.00

Prices updated 12 July 2026

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro
Screen 6.8" 6.6"
Display Dynamic AMOLED 2X IPS LCD
Resolution 1440 x 3080 1080 x 2408
Pixels Per Inch 500 400
Rear Camera 200 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery 5,000 mAh 4,350 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB 128GB
OS Android 13 Android 15
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm 168.6 x 79.9 x 10.2 mm
Weight 233 grams 240 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £59.00/mo
£30.00 upfront
-
SIM-free £329.95 £499.00
Prices updated 12 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

12 Months

256GB

Cream

Refurbished

5GB

Data

£59 per month, £30 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro
Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro

128GB

Black

From £499

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.8" compared to the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro's 6.6", the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has the sharper display at 500 pixels per inch versus 400, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro has a IPS LCD.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features a 200 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £329.95.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro comes in 128GB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro use?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro uses the Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the more portable of the two: it's 7g lighter at 233 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm, and is slimmer at 8.9mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro run?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra runs Android 13 and the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro runs Android 15. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.