With 2026 marking another exciting year for smartphones, Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S26 Ultra, building on the success of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Both devices belong to Samsung’s premium Ultra lineup, offering massive displays, stylus support, and powerhouse performance. But the S26 Ultra brings subtle upgrades that could make it the better choice for tech enthusiasts and productivity-focused users. Here’s an in-depth comparison to help you decide.
Samsung continues its tradition of sleek, modern design with the S26 Ultra. Measuring 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm and weighing 214 g, it feels premium yet surprisingly comfortable for a phone of this size. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 front provide excellent durability, while the aluminum frame adds structural strength. The phone supports IP68 water and dust resistance, allowing immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Stylus support remains a key feature, making the device ideal for note-taking, drawing, and productivity tasks.
The S25 Ultra shares a similar design philosophy but is slightly larger and heavier at 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm and 218 g, featuring a titanium frame. While both devices feel sturdy, the S26 Ultra’s refined frame and slight weight reduction enhance handling for extended use. Both phones retain the classic Ultra aesthetic: a large, nearly bezel-less display with premium glass finishing that signals flagship status.
Display technology remains one of Samsung’s standout strengths. Both the S26 Ultra and S25 Ultra feature a massive 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with HDR10+ support and 120Hz refresh rate. However, the S26 Ultra introduces a privacy display and improved anti-reflective coatings, making viewing more comfortable in bright sunlight and ensuring content remains private from onlookers. Its peak brightness reaches 2600 nits, on par with the S25 Ultra, but the S26 Ultra edges ahead in visual clarity and color accuracy, delivering sharper, more vibrant content. The 1440 x 3120 resolution (~500 ppi) ensures crisp visuals on both devices, though the S26 Ultra’s software enhancements provide slightly smoother animations and transitions.
Powering the S26 Ultra is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset with an Oryon V3 CPU and Adreno 840 GPU, compared to the S25 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite with Adreno 830 GPU. While both are flagship processors capable of handling demanding apps and games, the S26 Ultra delivers improved efficiency, faster multitasking, and slightly higher benchmark performance. RAM and storage configurations are also upgraded, with the S26 Ultra offering up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, compared to the S25 Ultra’s maximum 16GB/1TB, but with slightly slower memory throughput.
Both phones run Samsung’s One UI with Android, but the S26 Ultra ships with Android 16 and One UI 8.5, offering smoother performance, improved multitasking features, and better optimization for high-refresh displays. Both devices support up to 7 major Android updates, ensuring long-term software support.
Samsung Ultra phones have always been known for their camera prowess, and the S26 Ultra refines the S25 Ultra’s already impressive setup. The main sensor is a 200 MP wide camera with f/1.4 aperture, slightly faster and more sensitive than the S25 Ultra’s f/1.7 lens. Telephoto and periscope telephoto cameras remain similar, but the S26 Ultra’s software improvements result in better low-light performance, sharper details, and enhanced HDR. Ultrawide and selfie cameras remain nearly identical, yet image processing in the S26 Ultra ensures more accurate colors and reduced noise.
Video enthusiasts will appreciate both devices’ 8K and 4K recording capabilities with advanced stabilization, but the S26 Ultra delivers smoother horizon-lock stabilization for professional-looking footage.
Battery life is excellent on both devices, thanks to a 5000 mAh battery. The S26 Ultra introduces faster wired charging at 60W, reaching 75% in just 30 minutes, compared to the S25 Ultra’s 45W charging that reaches 65% in the same period. Wireless charging also receives a boost to 25W, making topping up faster and more convenient. Reverse wireless charging remains at 4.5W for both, useful for powering accessories on the go.
Both Ultra phones support Samsung DeX, stereo speakers, high-bitrate audio, under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, and Ultra Wideband (UWB) connectivity. However, the S26 Ultra updates Bluetooth to 6.0 and integrates newer optimizations in Android 16, making connectivity and device interaction smoother. Stylus integration remains refined, supporting gestures and better precision for creative users.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299.99, reflecting its status as Samsung’s latest and greatest flagship. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, while still incredibly capable, starts at $767.06, offering a more budget-friendly route for users who don’t need the latest incremental upgrades.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a refined evolution of the S25 Ultra, offering subtle yet impactful upgrades in performance, display, camera processing, and charging speeds. If you want the latest hardware, faster charging, and refined software experience, the S26 Ultra is worth the premium.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains a powerhouse in its own right. It delivers flagship performance, an impressive display, and top-tier cameras at a significantly lower price, making it an excellent choice for those looking to save without sacrificing essential features.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether you prioritize the newest performance tweaks and enhanced features or prefer a still-powerful flagship at a more accessible price.
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