Samsung Galaxy S25+ vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Smartphones comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Samsung Galaxy S25+ and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are two of the most cross-shopped phones right now, and the gap between them is narrower in some rows and wider in others than the marketing suggests. The Galaxy S25+ scales the S25 up to a 6.7-inch QHD+ display, a 4,900 mAh battery and 45 W charging. The Galaxy S26 Ultra adds a Privacy Display, 60 W charging and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 to Samsung's 200 MP, S Pen flagship while keeping the $1,299 starting price.
Quick verdict
With VersusAnything Scores of 63 and 60, neither phone has a meaningful overall lead. Decide on the rows you will feel daily: Galaxy S25+ for people who want a big-screen Samsung without paying Ultra money, Galaxy S26 Ultra for power users who want the most complete Android phone of 2026.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the smartphones category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Samsung Galaxy S25+
The Galaxy S25+ scales the S25 up to a 6.7-inch QHD+ display, a 4,900 mAh battery and 45 W charging.
Best for people who want a big-screen Samsung without paying Ultra money
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Galaxy S26 Ultra adds a Privacy Display, 60 W charging and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 to Samsung's 200 MP, S Pen flagship while keeping the $1,299 starting price.
Best for power users who want the most complete Android phone of 2026
Key differences
- Display type: Galaxy S25+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display) — a preference, not a scored win
- Screen size: Galaxy S25+ 6.7" vs Galaxy S26 Ultra 6.9" — a preference, not a scored win
- Chipset: Galaxy S25+ Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — a preference, not a scored win
- Rear cameras: Galaxy S25+ Triple (wide + ultrawide + 3x telephoto) vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Quad (wide + ultrawide + 3x + 5x telephoto) — a preference, not a scored win
- Operating system: Galaxy S25+ Android (One UI) vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Android 16 (One UI 8.5) — a preference, not a scored win
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display) |
| Screen size | 6.7" | 6.9" |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP |
| Rear cameras | Triple (wide + ultrawide + 3x telephoto) | Quad (wide + ultrawide + 3x + 5x telephoto) |
| Battery | 4,900 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 45 W | 60 W |
| Weight | 190 g | 214 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Operating system | Android (One UI) | Android 16 (One UI 8.5) |
| Promised OS updates | 7 years | 7 years |
| Launch price (USD) | $999 | $1,299 |
Display: Galaxy S25+ vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25+ 52 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 52
Galaxy S25+: Dynamic AMOLED 2X. Galaxy S26 Ultra: Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display). Neither is scored, but panel technology affects contrast, outdoor visibility and power draw. The two differ on screen size (6.7" against 6.9"), and a larger screen is easier for video and multitasking but harder to use one-handed.
Refresh rate is identical at 120 Hz.
Performance: Galaxy S25+ vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25+ 60 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 60
Galaxy S25+: Snapdragon 8 Elite. Galaxy S26 Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Neither is scored, but the chipset sets the ceiling for gaming, AI features and long-term speed. RAM is identical at 12 GB.
Both list 256 GB for base storage, so nothing separates them here.
Camera: Galaxy S25+ vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25+ 62 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 82
The main camera row goes to Galaxy S26 Ultra: 200 MP against 50 MP. Megapixels matter less than sensor size, but a higher count allows more cropping and detail in daylight.
For rear cameras, Galaxy S25+ uses Triple (wide + ultrawide + 3x telephoto) whereas Galaxy S26 Ultra goes with Quad (wide + ultrawide + 3x + 5x telephoto). This is a preference rather than a scored win: extra lenses add telephoto reach or ultrawide flexibility.
Battery: Galaxy S25+ vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25+ 71 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 82
Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on battery with 5,000 mAh versus 4,900 mAh, a margin of 100 mAh. In practice more capacity generally means more screen-on time between charges.
Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on wired charging with 60 W versus 45 W, a margin of 15 W. In practice faster wired charging shortens top-up time when you are in a hurry.
Design: Galaxy S25+ vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25+ 69 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 30
On weight, Galaxy S25+ keeps it to 190 g while Galaxy S26 Ultra lists 214 g. That 24 g edge counts since a lighter phone is more comfortable for long sessions and in a pocket.
Both list IP68 for water resistance, so nothing separates them here.
Software: Galaxy S25+ vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25+ 72 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 72
For operating system, Galaxy S25+ uses Android (One UI) whereas Galaxy S26 Ultra goes with Android 16 (One UI 8.5). This is a preference rather than a scored win: the OS decides your app ecosystem and how the phone fits with your other devices.
Both list 7 years for promised OS updates, so nothing separates them here.
Value: Galaxy S25+ vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25+ 56 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 9
Galaxy S25+ is better on launch price (USD) at $999 against $1,299, a $300 difference; lower is better because the launch price is the fairest baseline because street prices vary by region.
Pros and cons
Galaxy S25+
Pros
- QHD+ 6.7-inch display
- 45 W fast charging
- 256 GB base storage
- Better weight (190 g)
- Better launch price (USD) ($999)
Cons
- Weaker main camera (50 MP)
- Weaker battery (4,900 mAh)
- Weaker wired charging (45 W)
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Pros
- Privacy Display anti-peek screen
- 60 W wired charging
- 200 MP camera with S Pen
- Better weight (214 g)
- Better launch price (USD) ($1,299)
Cons
- Weaker main camera (200 MP)
- Weaker battery (5,000 mAh)
- Weaker wired charging (60 W)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Samsung Galaxy S25+ for…
People who want a big-screen Samsung without paying Ultra money. It stands out for qhd+ 6.7-inch display, 45 w fast charging, 256 gb base storage.
Choose Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for…
Power users who want the most complete Android phone of 2026. It stands out for privacy display anti-peek screen, 60 w wired charging, 200 mp camera with s pen.
Final verdict
The scores are effectively level (63 to 60), so this comes down to fit. Galaxy S25+ is the better choice for people who want a big-screen Samsung without paying Ultra money; Galaxy S26 Ultra suits power users who want the most complete Android phone of 2026. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another phone
Frequently asked questions
Is Galaxy S25+ better than Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Not overall: they score 63 and 60 on our category weighting, which we treat as level. Galaxy S25+ is the better fit for people who want a big-screen Samsung without paying Ultra money, and Galaxy S26 Ultra for power users who want the most complete Android phone of 2026.
What is the biggest difference between Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The largest gap is display type: Galaxy S25+ lists Dynamic AMOLED 2X while Galaxy S26 Ultra lists Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display). Panel technology affects contrast, outdoor visibility and power draw.
Which is cheaper, Galaxy S25+ or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Galaxy S25+ is cheaper on launch price (USD): $999 against $1,299 for Galaxy S26 Ultra. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose Galaxy S26 Ultra over Galaxy S25+?
Galaxy S26 Ultra is the better fit for power users who want the most complete Android phone of 2026. Its strongest points are privacy display anti-peek screen, 60 w wired charging, 200 mp camera with s pen.
Sources
- Galaxy S25+: Samsung product page (manufacturer)
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra page (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.