Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Name: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — Comparison Review
Item: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Rating: 8.5
Author: Billy G.

By Billy G. · Founder & Lead EditorVerified Oct 8 by Billy G.

Samsung Galaxy S26

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Decision sheet: the facts that decide it

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 14 of 15 decision facts sourced.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 14 of 15 decision facts sourced.

	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Price today	Price not yet checked	Price not yet checked
Chip	Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy samsung.com	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy samsung.com
RAM	12 GB samsung.com	16 gigabytes bestbuy.com
Storage	256GB / 512GB / 1TB samsung.com	1000 gigabytes bestbuy.com
Screen size	6.9 in samsung.com	6.9 in samsung.com
Refresh rate	120Hz bestbuy.com	120Hz bestbuy.com
Peak brightness	2600 nits bestbuy.com	2600 nits samsung.com
Battery	5000 mAh samsung.com	5000 mAh samsung.com
Battery life	Up to 31 hrs video playback samsung.com	31 hrs video playback samsung.com
Main camera	200 MP wide samsung.com	200 MP samsung.com
Optical zoom	5x samsung.com	5x optical (10x optical quality) samsung.com
Weight	7.69 ounces bestbuy.com	214 g samsung.com
Water resistance	IP68 samsung.com	IP68 samsung.com
Wired charging	45 watts bestbuy.com	60 watts bestbuy.com
Starting MSRP	$1,299.99 samsung.com	From $1,299.99 samsung.com

Not yet sourced — Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: OS updates. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: OS updates. No manufacturer, official or retailer source we read publishes these yet; we don't estimate them.

Pick Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if

More ram — 16 GB vs 12 GB (samsung.com, bestbuy.com)
More storage — 1,000 GB vs 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (samsung.com, bestbuy.com)
Lighter — 214 g vs 7.69 ounces (bestbuy.com, samsung.com)
More wired charging — 60 W vs 45 W (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)

Skip both if

Neither publishes OS updates yet.

Verified Confidence: 85%

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra represents Samsung's high-end smartphone offering from the previous year, featuring a solid set of specifications that include a high-resolution display, versatile camera system, and efficient processing capabilities. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra builds on this foundation as the latest iteration, incorporating advancements such as a more powerful processor, enhanced camera sensors for improved low-light performance. And a larger battery for extended usage times, according to aggregated public reviews and official specifications. In terms of core performance, the S26 Ultra edges ahead with faster handling of demanding tasks and better overall efficiency, while both devices share similar design elements. And software features that appeal to users prioritizing smooth integration with Samsung's ecosystem. Public feedback highlights the S25 Ultra's strong battery life. And camera quality as still competitive, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious buyers, though the S26 Ultra's upgrades in processing speed. And photography capabilities offer a more future-proof experience. Based on analyses of user reviews and specs, the S26 Ultra provides incremental improvements that may justify the higher cost for those needing the latest tech. Bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers better performance and features for users wanting cutting-edge capabilities, whereas the S25 Ultra remains a solid, more affordable alternative.

Verdict: On the figures both makers publish, the Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with more ram (16 GB vs 12 GB), more storage (1,000 GB vs 256GB / 512GB / 1TB) and lighter (214 g vs 7.69 ounces). Neither publishes OS updates yet.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 6.5/10

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 8.5/10

Spec-by-spec comparison

	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Screen size	6.9 in	6.9 in
Panel	OLED	OLED
Resolution	1440 x 3120	3120 x 1440
Refresh rate	120Hz	120Hz
Peak brightness	2600 nits	2600 nits
Chip	Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy