The next flagship of Samsung is one month away from release. So, how is it going to be? We are just at the end of December and you also know that there is nothing big tech releasing in this year. So, we are just focusing on 2026 and the Galaxy S26 series is going to be the first flagship release model in 2026.
We are expecting four handsets if the Galaxy S26 Edge is released. Among them, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the top model and the biggest flagship of the Samsung series.
Are you a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra user and thinking of changing your phone for Samsung S26 Ultra? Don’t worry!
In this article we will show a better comparison among them and check how much better the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is than Galaxy S25 Ultra.
In This Post......
- Samsung Galaxy S26 ultra vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: Specification
- Release Date and Price of Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Design and Screen: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Performance
- Camera: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Outlook
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Samsung Galaxy S26 ultra vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: Specification
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.9”(3,120 × 1,440) | 6.9″ (3,120 × 1,440) |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Memory | 12GB or 16GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear cameras | Main camera 200MP, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP periscope (5x), 12MP telephoto (3x) | Main camera 200MP, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP periscope (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x) |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | 5,400mAh | 5,000mAh |
Release Date and Price of Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
If we go back to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, it was released on 7 February 2025 and the starting price of the 256 GB model was $1,299 and the 1TB model price was $1,659.
We know that value decreases with time. S25 Ultra wasn’t the exception. So, the refurbished model is now available for only $759 on Amazon.
Samsung has announced that they will release the latest S series in the January or starting of the February. Some rumors say that it may be released in late February. So, we are expecting that it will release maximum within the early March, 2026.
Look at the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra price and date of release at a glance:
| Aspect | Galaxy S26 Ultra (Rumored) | Galaxy S25 ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch date | Expected early March,2026(Unpacked February 2025) | February 7, 2025 |
| Starting Price | Likely $1,299 (same as S25 Ultra) | $1,299 (256GB) |
| Max price | TBD, expected ~$1,659 (1TB) | $1,659 (1TB) |
| Current deals | N/A (not released yet) | ~$759 refurbished on Amazon |
Design and Screen: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra
We have seen the releases of previous S serieses, which only works for the subtle design outfits instead of wholesale change in 2026.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 6.9-inch, 120 Hz, and 3,120 x 1,440 display and we are expecting the same in S26 Ultra. But, according to some rumors like Ice Universe, the S26 Ultra is going to be thinner than the previous one. The S25 ultra was 8.1 mm thick while the S26 Ultra is expecting between 7 and 8 mm thick. But, the width and height may increase slightly. So the actual measurement is 6.44 x 3.07 x 0.31 inches, compared to 6.41 x 3.06 x 0.32 on the S25 Ultra.
He later claimed Samsung wasn’t happy with test results, so the fate of the S Pen remains uncertain and suspended like a pen hovering above paper, just waiting.
Will Samsung refine without sacrifice? Or will the Ultra evolve into something new, something less familiar?
For now, it’s a story still being written one rumor, one leak, one heartbeat at a time.
Let’s look at a glance-
| Aspect | Galaxy S26 Ultra (Rumored) | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9″ QHD+, 120Hz | 6.9″ QHD+, 120Hz |
| Thickness | 7–8mm (rumored 0.31″) | 8.1mm (0.32″) |
| Dimensions | 6.44 × 3.07 × 0.31 in | 6.41 × 3.06 × 0.32 in |
| Design style | Rounder, thinner, more curved | Angular, boxy |
S Pen compatibility: Rumors suggest the digitizer might be removed, which could limit advanced stylus features.
Camera housing: Expected to be slightly more raised and noticeable, whereas the previous model had a flatter camera layout.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Performance
Samsung’s own executives have hinted at where the real leap for the Galaxy S26 series will be not in shape or shine, but deep inside, in raw speed, smarter AI, and a camera system built to see the world better than before.
Most of that evolution leans heavily on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, the engine expected to drive past the Snapdragon 8 Elite inside the S25 Ultra. We tried a reference device running the chip not polished, not finalized, just raw power and in Geekbench it reached 3,832 single-core and 12,208 multi-core, leaving the S25 Ultra’s 3,031 and 9,829 behind like footprints fading on a track.
In the demanding 3DMark Solar Bay test, Qualcomm’s sample device hit 55.31fps, while the S25 Ultra managed 42.36fps. Even the iPhone 17 Pro Max, strong as it is, topped out at 46.63fps.
But the prototype we tested wasn’t exactly what buyers will hold. It came with 24GB RAM, far more than the S26 Ultra is expected to offer. Some say Samsung may push memory to 16GB, yet Ice Universe believes 12GB will still be standard across most markets with a 16GB, 1TB version only in more demanding regions such as China.
Battery talk is split. One side believes Samsung will keep 5,000mAh, while others expect a small climb to 5,400mAh. Charging, though, feels more certain. Code inside One UI 8.5 suggests that the S26 Ultra could reach 60W wired — a clear jump from the S25 Ultra’s 45W and 25W wireless instead of 15W, a gap that makes overnight charges and quick top-ups feel very different.
Let’s see the performance comparison between Galaxy S26 Ultra (Rumored) and S25 Ultra:
| Aspect | Galaxy S26 Ultra (Rumored) | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Geekbench (SC/MC) | 3,832 / 12,208 | 3,031 / 9,829 |
| GPU (3DMark Solar Bay) | 55.31 fps | 42.36 fps |
| RAM options | 12GB (standard), 16GB (possible in China) | 12GB |
| Battery | 5,400mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Charging speed | 60W wired, 25W wireless | 45W wired, 15W wireless |
Camera: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra
Camera rumors around the Galaxy S26 Ultra started like a thriller novel bold, exciting and almost too good to be true. Early whispers from Ice Universe painted a picture of Samsung bringing back variable aperture, a feature camera lovers haven’t seen since the Galaxy S10 in 2018. It felt like a comeback story in the making of a forgotten hero returning after years in silence.
Then the twist arrived.
By August, the Ice Universe changed tone. He now claims the S26 Ultra will stick to a fixed aperture, using the same 200MP main camera that powered the S25 Ultra. No dynamic aperture. No switching. A plot turn nobody expected. But the story isn’t sad because this new f/1.4 opening could allow nearly 47% more light into the lens, like opening a window wider in a dim room.
Another chapter unfolds with the telephoto system. Ice Universe suggests that the 50MP telephoto lens may return unchanged and possibly live on into the S27 Ultra as well. Familiar, reliable, dependable — the character you know will be there in every chapter.
But not everything repeats itself.
FlashPandaPro hints that the 3x zoom camera is getting an upgrade — stepping up from 10MP to 12MP, like a supporting actor finally earning a bigger role. Along with it may come a new laser autofocus sensor, faster to react, quicker to lock focus and a ProVisual Engine made to push images through processing like a fast heartbeat instead of a slow breath.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Outlook
I don’t know about you, but I will be totally surprised if the S26 Ultra can not be the best in 2026. With a lightning-fast processor, quicker charging, and a camera setup sharpened for brighter, cleaner shots, it feels like one of the strongest Android contenders is preparing to raise the bar even higher.
Most of the improvements are subtle, evolutionary steps rather than revolutionary leaps. Each refinement adds value, but the changes are incremental. The premium price is expected to be high, making it unlikely that owners of the Galaxy S25 Ultra will feel an immediate need to upgrade. Excellence comes through careful improvement, not dramatic reinvention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the displays on S26 Ultra and S25 Ultra the same?
Yes, both phone displays are expected to offer a 6.9‑inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate. The S26 Ultra may use a newer panel or material stack that improves brightness or power efficiency, but in terms of size and resolution the screen remains consistent.
How much faster is S26 Ultra compared to S25 Ultra?
S26 Ultra reportedly runs on Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 a newer, more powerful chipset than S25 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Has the camera improved significantly on S26 Ultra?
The core camera array remains similar: a 200 MP main sensor, 50 MP ultrawide, 5× periscope telephoto and a 3× telephoto lens.
Is battery life or charging speed better on S26 Ultra?
Battery capacity is expected to remain largely unchanged (about 5000 mAh) for both models. The improvement comes in charging speed: wired charging might go up to 60 W on S26 Ultra (versus 45 W previously), meaning much faster top-ups. Wireless charging and reverse charging standards may also get refined.
If I have S25 Ultra, is it worth upgrading to S26 Ultra now?
The S26 Ultra brings incremental upgrades, faster processor, slightly better camera tweaks, better charging, and newer software support. But if your S25 Ultra still runs smoothly and meets your needs, you might not feel a huge difference. For many users, S26 Ultra feels like a polished refinement rather than a must-have leap.
Final Thoughts
In my view, the Galaxy S26 Ultra feels more like a refinement than a reinvention with its faster Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, slightly larger 5,400mAh battery, quicker 60W charging, and camera tweaks like the wider f/1.4 aperture and upgraded 12MP telephoto lens, it’s clearly stronger than the S25 Ultra, but the changes are incremental. If I already owned the S25 Ultra, I wouldn’t feel a pressing need to upgrade, though for anyone coming from an older device, the S26 Ultra looks like a powerhouse worth considering.
