Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra
The shared Samsung logo is where the obvious similarity ends. The Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra come from different lines, and each line has its own idea of what matters. The gap between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is narrow enough that price, looks or habit could reasonably tip it. Below, you’ll find every meaningful difference and what it means in daily use.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Tie
- Battery & Charging Galaxy S26 Ultra wins
- Software & Updates Tie
- Price Tie
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera10.0
- Battery & Charging3.1
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera10.0
- Battery & Charging3.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has faster 60 W wired charging
When it comes to wired charging, the Galaxy S26 Ultra wins comfortably with 60 W against 45 W. Peak charging speeds depend on a compatible charger, which may not come in the box.
Design & Size
On overall dimensions, the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra are separated by very little.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.39 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width | 3.11 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight | 8.18 oz | N/A (not specified) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t display. Bottom line for display: it’s a wash.
Performance
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if performance was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. So performance is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on memory & storage. Treat memory & storage as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Camera
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the camera section. Don’t let camera decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Battery & Charging
Galaxy S26 Ultra leads
The Galaxy S26 Ultra dominates the battery & charging section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The Galaxy S26 Ultra brings faster 60 W wired charging. The Galaxy S26 Ultra refills faster on a cable, which matters most on the mornings you forgot to charge overnight. If this section decides it for you, choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Wired charging
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 45 W Galaxy S26 Ultra: 60 W Faster wired charging means a short top-up before you head out goes further.
Software & Updates
Too close to call
The Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra match each other closely in this area. In short, software & updates is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.8 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 505 ppi | N/A (not specified) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | N/A (not specified) |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 8 | N/A (not specified) |
| Process node | 4 nm | N/A (not specified) |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 200 MP | 200 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | N/A (not specified) |
| Telephoto camera | 50 MP | N/A (not specified) |
| Optical zoom | 5× | N/A (not specified) |
| Rear cameras | 4 | 4 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | N/A (not specified) |
| Max video | 8K30 | N/A (not specified) |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 45 W | 60 W (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | N/A (not specified) |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) | Android 16 (One UI 8.5) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.39 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width | 3.11 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight | 8.18 oz | N/A (not specified) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,300 | $1,300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Equal launch prices put the focus squarely on the spec sheet.
Launch prices in the US as of February 2026; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
- you don’t care much about the upgrades in the newer model
Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if…
- you often need a quick top-up before heading out (60 W vs 45 W wired)
- you’d rather start with the later of the two generations
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
On the specs compared here, the Galaxy S26 Ultra makes more sense for most buyers; the Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra worth it over the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Think about how you use your Galaxy S24 Ultra. If faster 60 W wired charging would make a real difference, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is worth it; if not, keep what you have.
Which has better battery life, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The official battery figures don’t separate them; the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra land in almost the same place.
Which is larger, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is too small to matter.
Executive Summary
I’ll admit the Galaxy S24 Ultra versus the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the kind of question I enjoy: same maker, same family, and still a real choice to make. I’d put faster 60 W wired charging at the top of the list, and it belongs to the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Put simply, the Galaxy S24 Ultra suits people who care about the things a spec sheet can’t capture, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra suits people who put battery & charging first.
My pick: the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.