Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Smartphones comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Choosing between Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes up constantly, so we ran both through the same 15-row comparison and our category scoring. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung's do-everything flagship with a 200 MP camera, built-in S Pen, titanium frame and a 6.9-inch display. 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 58 and 60, neither phone has a meaningful overall lead. Decide on the rows you will feel daily: Galaxy S25 Ultra for power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size, 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 Ultra
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung's do-everything flagship with a 200 MP camera, built-in S Pen, titanium frame and a 6.9-inch display.
Best for power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size
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 Ultra Dynamic AMOLED 2X vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display) — a preference, not a scored win
- Chipset: Galaxy S25 Ultra Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — a preference, not a scored win
- Operating system: Galaxy S25 Ultra Android (One UI) vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Android 16 (One UI 8.5) — a preference, not a scored win
- Weight: Galaxy S25 Ultra 218 g vs Galaxy S26 Ultra 214 g — Galaxy S26 Ultra is better here
- Wired charging: Galaxy S25 Ultra 45 W vs Galaxy S26 Ultra 60 W — Galaxy S26 Ultra is better here
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display) |
| Screen size | 6.9" | 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 | 200 MP | 200 MP |
| Rear cameras | Quad (wide + ultrawide + 3x + 5x telephoto) | Quad (wide + ultrawide + 3x + 5x telephoto) |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 45 W | 60 W |
| Weight | 218 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) | $1,299 | $1,299 |
Display: Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25 Ultra 52 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 52
The two differ on display type (Dynamic AMOLED 2X against Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display)), and panel technology affects contrast, outdoor visibility and power draw. On screen size the two match exactly (6.9").
Both list 120 Hz for refresh rate, so nothing separates them here.
Performance: Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25 Ultra 60 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 60
For chipset, Galaxy S25 Ultra uses Snapdragon 8 Elite whereas Galaxy S26 Ultra goes with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This is a preference rather than a scored win: the chipset sets the ceiling for gaming, AI features and long-term speed. On RAM the two match exactly (12 GB).
On base storage the two match exactly (256 GB).
Camera: Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25 Ultra 82 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 82
On main camera the two match exactly (200 MP).
Both list Quad (wide + ultrawide + 3x + 5x telephoto) for rear cameras, so nothing separates them here.
Battery: Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25 Ultra 78 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 82
Battery is identical at 5,000 mAh.
Galaxy S26 Ultra offers 60 W of wired charging while Galaxy S25 Ultra stops at 45 W; the 15 W gap matters because faster wired charging shortens top-up time when you are in a hurry.
Design: Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25 Ultra 19 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 30
On weight, Galaxy S26 Ultra keeps it to 214 g while Galaxy S25 Ultra lists 218 g. That 4 g edge counts since a lighter phone is more comfortable for long sessions and in a pocket.
Water resistance is identical at IP68.
Software: Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25 Ultra 72 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 72
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Android (One UI). Galaxy S26 Ultra: Android 16 (One UI 8.5). Neither is scored, but 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 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra Score: Galaxy S25 Ultra 9 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 9
Launch price (USD) is identical at $1,299.
Pros and cons
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Pros
- 200 MP main camera
- Built-in S Pen
- Dual telephoto lenses
Cons
- Weaker wired charging (45 W)
- Weaker weight (218 g)
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Pros
- Privacy Display anti-peek screen
- 60 W wired charging
- 200 MP camera with S Pen
Cons
- Weaker wired charging (60 W)
- Weaker weight (214 g)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for…
Power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size. It stands out for 200 mp main camera, built-in s pen, dual telephoto lenses.
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 (58 to 60), so this comes down to fit. Galaxy S25 Ultra is the better choice for power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size; 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 Ultra better than Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Not overall: they score 58 and 60 on our category weighting, which we treat as level. Galaxy S25 Ultra is the better fit for power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size, and Galaxy S26 Ultra for power users who want the most complete Android phone of 2026.
What is the biggest difference between Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The largest gap is display type: Galaxy S25 Ultra 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 Ultra or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
They match on launch price (USD) at $1,299.
Who should choose Galaxy S26 Ultra over Galaxy S25 Ultra?
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 Ultra: 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.