Samsung’s Ultra lineup has always been the benchmark for Android flagships, and with the Galaxy S26 Ultra now entering the rumor mill, comparisons with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are already heating up. If you’re wondering how much Samsung has actually improved this year — especially in performance, camera capabilities, and charging speeds — this breakdown will help you decide whether the upgrade makes sense.
Design & Build: Subtle Refinements, Same Premium Feel
Both the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Vs S25 Ultra maintain Samsung’s signature Ultra design with a titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 protection. The S26 Ultra becomes slightly slimmer at 7.9 mm compared to 8.2 mm on the S25 Ultra, making it feel a bit more refined in hand.
Key Differences
- S26 Ultra is lighter at 214g (vs 218g on S25 Ultra).
- Both phones offer IP68 rating and support the S-Pen.
- Overall, the S26 Ultra keeps the same premium identity but feels more streamlined.
Display: Same Specs, But Samsung Always Optimizes
Both phones offer:
- 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
- QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3120)
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Peak brightness up to 2600 nits
The S26 Ultra doesn’t change the display specs on paper, but Samsung traditionally improves calibration, touch sampling, and outdoor visibility year-over-year. Expect better tuning rather than a big spec jump.
Performance: A Big Leap With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Here’s where the S26 Ultra really distances itself.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S26 ULTRA
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- 3nm architecture
- New Oryon V3 CPUs
- Adreno 840 GPU
SAMSUNG GALAXY S25 Ultra
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 1
- Oryon V2 CPUs
- Adreno 830 GPU
- In real life, this means:
- Faster app launches
- Smoother multitasking
- Better thermals
Major GPU jump → higher FPS in gaming
Better AI processing
If performance matters even slightly, the S26 Ultra is a clear upgrade.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra Camera System: Same Megapixels, Better Processing
On paper, both models look similar:
- 200MP main camera
- 10MP 3x telephoto
- 50MP 5x periscope
- 50MP ultrawide
- 12MP selfie
However, the Samsung galaxy S26 Ultra benefits from:
- Improved OIS
- Refined sensor tuning
- Better low-light optimization
- Faster laser autofocus
Upgraded computational photography
Samsung is also pushing AI features like Best Face, enhanced portrait separation, and better stabilization for 8K and 4K 120fps.
Even if the hardware looks the same, photo quality should noticeably improve, especially at night and with zoom shots.
Also Read — Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra May Feature Sony’s Powerful 200MP Sensor – Massive Camera Upgrade Leaked
Battery & Charging: Samsung Finally Speeds Up
Samsung Galaxy 26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- 60W wired fast charging
- 15W wireless
- 4.5W reverse wireless
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- 45W wired charging
- 15W wireless
- 4.5W reverse wireless
This is one of the most requested upgrades — Samsung finally moves beyond 45W.
A 60W charger means:
Faster top-ups
Better heat management thanks to newer battery chemistry
Battery life should also improve because of the more efficient Gen 5 chip.
Also Read — iPhone 18 Pro: 10 New Features Set to Shock Users
Software & Updates
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Android 16
- 7 major OS upgrades
- One UI 8
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Android 15
- 7 major OS upgrades
- One UI 8
The long-term support remains the same, but the S26 Ultra ships with the newer software out of the box.
Connectivity & Features
Both support:
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth 5.4
- UWB
- Samsung DeX & Wireless DeX
- USB-C 3.2 with DisplayPort
No major changes here, though the S26 Ultra should have improved network stability and latency with new modem updates.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra — Quick Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Build | 7.9 mm thickness, 214 g, titanium frame, Gorilla Armor 2 | 8.2 mm thickness, 218 g, titanium frame, Gorilla Armor 2 |
| Display | 6.9″ LTPO AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz, 2600 nits | 6.9″ LTPO AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz, 2600 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) — Adreno 840 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 1 — Adreno 830 |
| RAM & Storage | Up to 16GB / up to 1TB (UFS 4.0) | Up to 16GB / up to 1TB (UFS 4.0) |
| Camera (Main) | 200MP + 10MP 3× + 50MP 5× + 50MP ultrawide; improved AI tuning | 200MP + 10MP 3× + 50MP 5× + 50MP ultrawide |
| Selfie | 12MP, HDR10+ | 12MP, HDR10+ |
| Battery & Charging | 5000 mAh, 60W wired, 15W wireless | 5000 mAh, 45W wired, 15W wireless |
| Software | Android 16, One UI 8, 7 years updates | Android 15, One UI 8, 7 years updates |
| Extras | IP68, S-Pen support, UWB | IP68, S-Pen support, UWB |
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Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Upgrade if you want:
- Faster performance (big jump!)
- Better charging speed
- More refined night photography
- Slightly slimmer and lighter body
Keep the Samsung galaxy S25 Ultra if:
- You’re happy with current performance
- You don’t need faster charging
- You mainly take daytime photos
Overall
The S26 Ultra is a solid generational upgrade, especially in performance, battery efficiency, and camera processing. If you're coming from the S24 Ultra or older, the S26 Ultra is easily worth it. But S25 Ultra users may upgrade only for speed and charging improvements.
Hasnain Hasan is the founder and lead writer behind this platform. With over 5 years of hands-on experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down the latest trends, tools, and technologies into easy-to-understand content. A part from writing, Hasnain is actively creating and sharing tech-related content on YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), where he connects with a growing audience of tech enthusiasts and learner