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Purism Librem 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Purism Librem 5
Purism
Purism Librem 5
6.5 / 10
Compass Score
From 4 critic reviews
Full review →
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
9.0 / 10
Compass Score
From 107 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

Librem 5

While a great idea on paper, the Purism Librem 5 disappointed reviewers on virtually all fronts. Buy with caution.

+
Good
+ Open-source operating system
+ Better privacy
+ Lifetime updates
+ Removable battery
−
Not
− Poor touchscreen response
− Heavy
− Horrible battery life
− It gets hot when charging

Galaxy S23 Ultra

A powerhouse phone featuring a versatile triple-camera system and enduring battery life.

+
Good
+ Impressive 200MP camera
+ Long-lasting battery
+ Built-in S Pen
+ Fast performance
+ Durable design
−
Not
− High price point
− Bulky design
− Charging not included
− Slight shutter lag
− Color saturation issues
Spec data

How they compare

Librem 5
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Price (MSRP)
—
Price (MSRP)
$1,199
OS
Linux
OS
Android
Processor
ARM NXP i.MX 8M Cortex A53 Quad-core
Processor
Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Octa-core
Camera zoom
—
Camera zoom
—
Battery life
—
Battery life
—
Wired charging
—
Wired charging
45W
Wireless charging
—
Wireless charging
10W
Display
Color
Display
Color
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
—
Repairability
—
Weight
230g (8.1 oz)
Weight
234g (8.3 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

Librem 5
Galaxy S23 Ultra
DxOMark v5
—
DxOMark v5
140
photo 139 · video 137
AnTuTu v10
—
AnTuTu v10
—
GSMArena endurance
—
GSMArena endurance
—
iFixit repairability
—
iFixit repairability
—
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
Librem 5
6" × 3"
Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.4" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
Librem 5
0.6"
Galaxy S23 Ultra
0.4"
Height
6" (153 mm)
Height
6.4" (163.4 mm)
Width
3" (75 mm)
Width
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Depth
0.6" (15.5 mm)
Depth
0.4" (8.9 mm)
Weight
230g (8.1 oz)
Weight
234g (8.3 oz)
Screen
5.7"
Screen
6.8"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

Common questions

Librem 5 vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: FAQ

Which is better, the Librem 5 or Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the Galaxy S23 Ultra earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 6.5 for the Librem 5. That 2.5-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Should I buy the Librem 5 or the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Our critics' take on the Librem 5: "While a great idea on paper, the Purism Librem 5 disappointed reviewers on virtually all fronts." On the Galaxy S23 Ultra: "A powerhouse phone featuring a versatile triple-camera system and enduring battery life." Both phones have clear strengths in different areas; scroll through the comparison above to see which trade-offs align with your priorities.

Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated October 2026. Suggest a correction →