Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Is the Upgrade Worth It? [2026] (2026)

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: An Upgrade Worth Making?

With the end of 2025 approaching, the tech world is already looking forward to the next big release: the Samsung Galaxy S26 series. This year's flagship model, the S26 Ultra, promises to be a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the S25 Ultra, but is it worth the price tag?

Specifications

The S26 Ultra is rumored to feature a 6.9-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 3,120 x 1,440 pixels, matching the S25 Ultra's specifications. The chipset is expected to be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a significant improvement over the Snapdragon 8 Elite used in the S25 Ultra.

Memory options are expected to be 12 or 16GB, with storage configurations of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The rear camera setup is rumored to include a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide lens, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x zoom, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom, similar to the S25 Ultra.

Release Date and Price

The S25 Ultra was released on February 7, 2025, with a starting price of $1,299 for the 256GB model, and $1,659 for the 1TB version. Prices have since dropped, with refurbished units available on Amazon for around $759. Samsung typically announces its 'S' series phones in January or early February, but reports suggest a delay this time, with a Galaxy Unpacked event expected on February 25, pushing the release date to early March 2026.

The price of the S26 Ultra is expected to be similar to the S25 Ultra, with a potential slight increase. Samsung aims to maintain competitiveness with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which starts at $1,199.

Design and Screen

Design-wise, the S26 Ultra is rumored to be slightly thinner, measuring between 7 and 8mm, compared to the S25 Ultra's 8.1mm thickness. This reduction in thickness is expected to be accompanied by a slight increase in width and height. However, the S Pen, a feature beloved by many, may be affected by this change, as the leaker PandaFlashPro suggests the removal of the stylus' digitizer.

Renders and leaks indicate a more curved design with a less angular rear camera array. The leaker Tarun Vats shared an advertisement that appears to show a raised rear camera setup.

Performance

Samsung's executives emphasize that the S26 series will focus on raw performance, AI, and camera improvements. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset is expected to deliver significant performance gains over the S25 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Benchmark tests show impressive results, with the reference device achieving Geekbench scores of 3,832 in single-core tests and 12,208 in multi-core tests, outperforming the S25 Ultra's scores. Graphically, the S26 Ultra is expected to perform better, with higher frame rates in 3DMark tests.

Battery and Charging

Battery capacity is rumored to be increased to 5,400mAh, and charging speeds are expected to reach 60W, a significant improvement over the S25 Ultra's 45W charging. Wireless charging speeds could also increase to 25W.

Cameras

The camera upgrades for the S26 Ultra are a topic of debate. Initially, it was rumored that the S26 Ultra would feature a variable rate aperture, a feature not seen in Samsung's flagship phones since the Galaxy S10. However, recent leaks suggest the main camera will use an f/1.4 aperture with the same 200MP sensor as the S25 Ultra, enhancing low-light photography.

The 50MP telephoto sensor is expected to remain unchanged, but the 3x telephoto lens will be upgraded to a 12MP sensor, and a new laser AF sensor is rumored for faster processing speeds.

Outlook

Despite incremental improvements, the S26 Ultra is expected to be one of the best Android phones of 2026, with a faster processor, quicker charging, and an enhanced camera array. However, the high price tag may deter users of the S25 Ultra from upgrading, as the improvements are not revolutionary.

Freelance contributor Alan, a tech expert, provides valuable insights into the latest smartphone releases, ensuring readers stay informed about the ever-evolving tech landscape.