Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
A direct successor invites a direct comparison, and that’s what the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Ultra get here, spec by spec. The honest headline: the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra are evenly matched in most of the areas we compared. So which one fits you better? The breakdown below should make that clearer.
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
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Galaxy S26 Ultra makes its strongest case: 60 W against 45 W. Peak charging speeds depend on a compatible charger, which may not come in the box.
Design & Size
Expect the same physical presence from both; their dimensions are very close.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.41 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width | 3.06 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight | 7.69 oz | N/A (not specified) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | N/A (not specified) |
Display
Too close to call
Side by side, the display figures for the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra barely differ. In short, display is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Performance
Too close to call
The Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra match each other closely in this area. Bottom line for performance: it’s a wash.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if memory & storage was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. The memory & storage verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Camera
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the camera section. On camera alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Battery & Charging
Galaxy S26 Ultra leads
This section belongs to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. In battery & charging, it leads the Galaxy S25 Ultra by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Galaxy S26 Ultra comes with 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. Prioritize battery & charging, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is where you should land.
Wired charging
Galaxy S25 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
This is a tie in all but name. On software & updates, both deliver about the same. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.9 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 498 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 S25 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 8 | N/A (not specified) |
| Process node | 3 nm | N/A (not specified) |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 200 MP | 200 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 50 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 S25 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 S25 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 15 (One UI 7) | Android 16 (One UI 8.5) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.41 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width | 3.06 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Weight | 7.69 oz | N/A (not specified) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S25 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
Money won’t decide this one: the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra launched at identical prices.
These are US launch prices, recorded February 2026; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
- you rarely use the areas where the newer model improves
Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if…
- you often need a quick top-up before heading out (60 W vs 45 W wired)
- you want the changes the Galaxy S26 Ultra brings over its predecessor
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
We’d point most buyers to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The main exception is if you’re on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and nothing about it bothers you.
Should I upgrade from the Galaxy S25 Ultra to the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
It depends on what you need. The Galaxy S26 Ultra brings faster 60 W wired charging, but if your Galaxy S25 Ultra still does the job, there’s no urgency.
Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra last longer on a charge than the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
It’s effectively a tie. The battery figures for the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra are too close to call.
Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra bigger than the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra differ only marginally.
Executive Summary
Old versus new: the Galaxy S25 Ultra against its replacement, the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Here’s my read. 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 S25 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 for new buyers, while owners of the Galaxy S25 Ultra can probably sit this generation out.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.