Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: the question every Samsung loyalist will ask when the S26 lands in March 2026. The S25 Ultra launched just over a year earlier, in February 2025, so Samsung is moving fast—but is fast enough to justify an upgrade? The short answer: only if you care about camera sharpness, charging speed, or design comfort. For everyone else, the S25 Ultra remains a formidable flagship.
Key Takeaways
- S26 Ultra launches March 11, 2026, with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (~20% faster CPU than S25 Ultra)
- Faster 60W charging reaches full battery in ~50 minutes, 10 minutes quicker than S25 Ultra
- S26 Ultra cameras deliver sharper images with less noise in low light
- S26 has rounded edges and slimmer profile (7.9mm vs 8.2mm) for better grip comfort
- S25 Ultra retains titanium frame advantage for superior durability over S26’s design
Display: Brightness Gets a Boost, But Similarities Dominate
Both phones pack identical 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with 3120x1440px resolution, 120Hz refresh, and HDR10+ support. The real difference sits in brightness. The S25 Ultra peaks at 2600 nits, already punishing in direct sunlight. The S26 Ultra potentially reaches 3000 nits thanks to a more efficient M14 OLED technology, making outdoor visibility marginally better. For most users indoors, this distinction matters zero. Outdoors on a beach? You’ll notice the S26 wins.
The S26 introduces a Privacy Display feature—a privacy filter that darkens content when viewed from the side. It’s a niche feature for paranoid commuters, but welcome. Both phones retain Gorilla Armor 2 protection and deliver the same 90.30% screen-to-body ratio, so the viewing experience remains nearly identical.
Design: S26 Ultra Prioritizes Comfort Over Durability
This is where Samsung made a bold choice. The S26 Ultra ditches the S25’s sharp rectangular edges for softer, rounded corners and a slimmer 7.9mm profile (versus 8.2mm on the S25). At 214g versus 218g, the S26 feels noticeably lighter in hand. The rounded design makes it easier to grip for extended periods—a genuine quality-of-life improvement that matters more than specs suggest.
The tradeoff? Durability. The S25 Ultra’s titanium frame is more durable than the S26’s material choices. If you’re rough with phones or plan to keep it for four-plus years, the S25’s construction is objectively tougher. The S26 also sports a new pill-shaped rear camera island, a visual refresh that signals the generational leap without adding function. Both phones support the S Pen (without Bluetooth), so stylus fans get the same experience either way.
Performance and Processing: S26 Ultra Pulls Ahead
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy in the S26 Ultra delivers approximately 20% better CPU performance in Geekbench 6 tests compared to the S25 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. That’s a meaningful jump. Real-world impact? Faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming frame rates. The S25 Ultra is no slouch—it handles everything you throw at it. But the S26 is noticeably snappier.
RAM configurations differ slightly. The S25 Ultra maxes out at 12GB LPDDR5X, while the S26 Ultra offers 12GB or 16GB options. The 16GB variant is overkill for mobile use today, but it future-proofs the device. Storage remains the same across both: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB with UFS 4.0.
Camera: S26 Ultra’s Low-Light Advantage
Both phones deploy quad rear camera setups, but the S26 Ultra refines the formula. The main 200MP sensor gets a wider f/1.4 aperture on the S26 versus f/1.7 on the S25, letting in more light. The result: sharper images with less noise in low-light conditions. Samsung’s improved AI processing and new Laser AF on the S26 further enhance focus accuracy and detail recovery.
The ultrawide and 5x periscope telephoto cameras remain functionally identical across both phones—50MP each with the same optical capabilities. Video tops out at 4K UHD 60fps on both. The S26’s selfie camera sports a larger, wider sensor than the S25’s, which translates to better group selfies and improved video calls. If you’re serious about mobile photography, especially in dim environments, the S26 Ultra edges ahead. For casual shooting, the gap is negligible.
Battery Life and Charging: S26 Ultra Wins on Speed
Both phones house 5000mAh Li-Ion batteries. The S26 Ultra achieves 5–10% better battery life due to its more efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. That translates to roughly an extra 30–45 minutes per day for typical users—noticeable but not transformative.
Charging is where the S26 clearly dominates. The S26 Ultra supports 60W wired charging, reaching a full charge from zero in approximately 50 minutes. The S25 Ultra maxes out at 45W (or 40W on some variants), taking 10 minutes longer. The S26 also offers 25W and 15W Qi2 wireless charging plus reverse wireless charging. The S25 tops out at 15W wireless. If you’re perpetually rushing out the door, the S26’s charging advantage is genuinely useful.
Software and Support
The S25 Ultra ships with One UI 8 and Android 16. The S26 Ultra bumps to One UI 8.5 with Android 16 QPR2 (Quarterly Platform Release 2). Both receive seven years of software support, so long-term security and feature updates are guaranteed on either device. The software gap is minimal—mostly refinements rather than new capabilities.
Should You Upgrade from S25 Ultra to S26 Ultra?
If you own an S25 Ultra, upgrading to the S26 Ultra makes sense only if you shoot photos in low light regularly, care about charging speed, or want a more comfortable grip. The performance bump is real but incremental. Most S25 Ultra owners should skip this generation and wait for the S27 Ultra in 2027. New buyers should grab the S26 Ultra when it launches in March 2026—the rounded design, faster processor, and improved cameras justify the investment over older flagships.
How much does the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cost?
The S26 Ultra starts at $1,299 (£1,279) for the 256GB model. The S25 Ultra launched at the same price point but now sells with deals closer to $1,300. Both are premium flagship devices with premium pricing. Regional pricing may vary, so check local retailers for exact costs in your market.
What’s the main difference between Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and S25 Ultra cameras?
The S26 Ultra’s main camera has a wider f/1.4 aperture versus the S25’s f/1.7, plus improved AI processing and Laser AF. This delivers sharper, less noisy images in low light—the S26’s defining camera advantage. For daytime shooting, both are excellent and nearly identical in output.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra have better battery life?
The S26 Ultra offers 5–10% better battery life than the S25 Ultra, primarily due to a more efficient processor. That’s roughly 30–45 extra minutes per day. The real battery win is charging speed: the S26 reaches full charge 10 minutes faster thanks to 60W wired charging versus the S25’s 45W.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung’s incremental refinement—a phone that improves in meaningful but measured ways. The S25 Ultra remains a powerhouse, and if you own one, there’s no urgent reason to jump. But for new buyers, the S26 Ultra’s rounded design, faster processor, and superior low-light cameras make it the smarter choice when it lands in March 2026.
Where to Buy
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
