Galaxy S23 Ultra Resale Value in Dubai: Sell Now or Keep It?
If you're going to sell your Galaxy S23 Ultra, sooner is better. New stock has sold out in the UAE, One UI 9 is expected to be its last big Android update, and some owners are reporting green or pink lines after recent updates. Every month you wait, buyers offer a little less. Our live calculator gives you a price for your exact phone in about a minute.
Check your S23 Ultra price now → Pick the S23 Ultra, your storage and condition. Rather chat? Send the details on WhatsApp.
The S23 Ultra was the phone to have in 2023, and plenty of people in Dubai still love it. The 200MP camera holds up and the S Pen is still handy. But it's now three years old, and three things are working against its price at the same time. Here's what they are and what to do about them.
Key Takeaways
- New S23 Ultra stock has sold out in the UAE, so the used market now sets the price.
- One UI 9 is expected to be its last major update. Security patches are due to end in early 2028.
- Green or pink screen lines have been reported by some S23 owners after One UI 8.5.
- Battery, burn-in and the S Pen decide most of your offer on a three-year-old Ultra.
- Prices move every week, so use the live calculator instead of a number from an article.
How Much Is a Used S23 Ultra Worth in Dubai Now?
The S23 Ultra launched in the UAE in February 2023. Here's what it cost on Noon at its highest recorded price, by storage:
|
Storage |
Highest price on Noon |
New stock now |
|
256GB |
AED 4,949 |
Sold out |
|
512GB |
AED 5,449 |
Sold out |
|
1TB |
AED 6,449 |
Sold out |
With no new units left, there's no shop price to compare against. That's why used S23 Ultra prices now swing a lot between buyers, and why one fixed number in an article would mislead you. See your live offer to know what your phone is worth today.
Why Is Now a Good Time to Sell?
Because the S23 Ultra is close to the end of its update support, and buyers know it.
|
Update |
Status for S23 Ultra |
|
Android 14, 15, 16 |
Received |
|
One UI 9 (Android 17) |
Expected to be the last major update |
|
One UI 9.5 |
Likely to be skipped, as the S22 series skipped One UI 8.5 |
|
Security patches |
Due to end in early 2028 |
Once the major updates stop, the phone misses new features like the latest Galaxy AI tools, and some apps may eventually need a newer Android version. Buyers price that in. The closer it gets to early 2028, the less they'll pay.
Should You Install the Next Update Before Selling?
This is the question we hear most from S23 Ultra owners right now. In June 2026, SamMobile reported that some Galaxy S23 owners saw permanent green or pink lines on their screens while installing One UI 8.5. The lines seem to appear when the phone heats up during the update. Samsung hadn't announced a fix at the time.
Our honest advice:
- If you're selling soon, you don't need the next big update. The phone sells fine on its current software.
- If you do update, keep the phone cool, take the case off and don't charge or game during the install.
- If lines have already appeared, you can still sell it. We buy S23 Ultra phones with display lines. The offer is lower because the screen needs replacing, but you'll know the price before we come.
Samsung did run a free screen replacement for affected S23 phones before, but only in India and only until 25 December 2025, according to SamMobile.
What Lowers Your S23 Ultra Offer?
|
Problem |
Why it matters |
|
Green or pink screen lines |
The screen needs replacing, which is expensive on an Ultra. |
|
Screen burn-in |
Common on a three-year-old OLED. Buyers check for it first. |
|
Weak battery |
After three years, many batteries no longer last a full day. |
|
Missing or broken S Pen |
Part of what buyers pay for on an Ultra. |
|
Cracks on the screen or back |
Repair costs come straight off the offer. |
|
Samsung or Google account still on it |
The phone can't be sold until it's removed. |
A clean S23 Ultra with a working S Pen, no lines or burn-in and a healthy battery still gets a good offer.
Check your phone in 2 minutes
- Lines and burn-in: open a plain white image, then a plain grey one, at full brightness. Look for lines or faint shapes.
- Battery: Settings > Battery > Battery information. Or run a battery test in the Samsung Members app under Diagnostics.
- S Pen: take it out and write a quick note. Check that Air actions respond.
- Screen and back: look under bright light for cracks and deep scratches.
- Accounts: Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts. Note which ones you'll need to remove.
Found burn-in? See how we buy a Samsung with screen burn in Dubai.
S23 Ultra vs S24 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Which Is Worth More?
|
Model |
Age |
What buyers care about |
|
Galaxy S25 Ultra |
About 1.5 years |
Newest of the three, still has years of updates |
|
Galaxy S24 Ultra |
About 2.5 years |
Titanium frame, seven years of updates promised |
|
Galaxy S23 Ultra |
About 3.5 years |
Great camera, but updates ending sooner |
The newer the Ultra, the more it's worth, mainly because of the update support left. If you're weighing up which one to sell, our guide to which Samsung Ultra holds its value best goes deeper. See also what your Galaxy S24 Ultra is worth in Dubai and our guide to selling the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Should You Sell Your S23 Ultra Now or Keep It?
|
Sell now if... |
Keep it if... |
|
You've already bought a new phone |
You'll use it until early 2028 |
|
The battery no longer lasts the day |
It still works perfectly for you |
|
You're worried about the next update |
You use the S Pen every day and don't want to switch |
|
You'd sell it within a year anyway |
You don't need new Galaxy AI features |
Keeping it is a fair choice if it still does everything you need. But if you know you'll sell, waiting won't get you a better price.
Where Should You Sell Your S23 Ultra in Dubai?
|
Option |
What you get |
The catch |
|
Dubizzle or OpenSooq |
Possibly the highest number |
Messages, viewings, haggling and payment scams. Can take weeks. |
|
Phone shops |
Quick cash |
You go to them, and offers change from shop to shop. |
|
Samsung Trade-In |
Credit off a new Samsung |
Not cash; the value changes with promotions. |
|
SellMyPhone.ae |
A live offer in our calculator |
Free pickup, a check in front of you and payment the same day. |
How to Sell Your S23 Ultra With Us
- Get your live offer from the Samsung price calculator, or message us on WhatsApp.
- Get the phone ready: back up, remove your Samsung and Google accounts, then reset. Our guide on the FRP and Google account lock walks you through it. Don't forget the S Pen.
- Book a free pickup anywhere in Dubai, from Dubai Marina and JLT to Downtown, Business Bay and Deira.
- We check the phone with you and pay cash or bank transfer on the spot. Same condition, same price.
Selling a newer Samsung too? See what the Galaxy S25 sells for in Dubai, or go straight to sell Samsung in Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I sell my Galaxy S23 Ultra for in Dubai?
It depends on storage, condition, battery and whether the S Pen works. New S23 Ultra stock has sold out in the UAE, so prices now come only from the used market and move every week. For an offer on your exact phone, use our live Samsung price calculator. It takes about a minute.
Is the S23 Ultra still worth keeping in 2026?
For many people, yes. It still has a great 200MP camera and the S Pen. But One UI 9 is expected to be its last major Android update, and security updates are due to end in early 2028. If you plan to sell in the next year, selling sooner usually gets you more.
When does the Galaxy S23 Ultra stop getting updates?
One UI 9, based on Android 17, is expected to be its last major update. Security patches are due to continue until early 2028, according to SamMobile and Sammyfans.
Will you buy my S23 Ultra with green or pink lines on the screen?
[TEAM TO CONFIRM] Yes. We buy S23 Ultra phones with display lines, burn-in and cracks. The offer is lower because the screen needs replacing, but we tell you the price before we collect.
Does a missing or broken S Pen lower the price?
Yes. The S Pen is part of what makes it an Ultra, and buyers check it first. A missing pen means a lower offer, so look for it in old cases and bags before you sell.
Is Samsung Trade-In better than selling for cash?
Trade-in gives you credit towards a new Samsung, not cash, and the value changes with each promotion. If you're buying from Samsung anyway, compare its figure with our cash offer and take the higher one.
How do I remove FRP before selling my S23 Ultra?
Remove your Samsung account and Google account in Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts, then factory reset. If you reset first, the phone locks itself with FRP and can't be sold.
See What Your S23 Ultra Is Worth Today
Check your live offer → It takes about a minute. Or send your storage, condition and S Pen status on WhatsApp. We collect free from anywhere in Dubai, check the phone with you and pay before we leave.