Home > Smartphone comparison > Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Galaxy S25 Ultra – which one to choose?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra

91 out of 100
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
VS
87 out of 100
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Here we compared two flagship smartphones: the 6.9-inch Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5) that was released on February 25, 2026, against the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite and came out 1 year and 2 months before. On this page, you will find tests, full specs, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the devices.

Select the amount of RAM to evaluate performance and value for money more precisely
Memory
  1. Differences
  2. Review
  3. Specs
  4. Benchmarks
  5. Battery life
  6. Camera
  7. Comments (10)

Key differences

An overview of the main advantages of each smartphone
Reasons to consider the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • Delivers 96% higher peak brightness (2776 against 1413 nits)
  • Newer Bluetooth version (v6.0)
  • 26% better performance in AnTuTu Benchmark (3939K versus 3128K)
  • The phone is 1 year and 2 months newer
  • Supports higher wattage charging (60W versus 45W)
  • 13% faster in single-core GeekBench 6 test: 3624 and 3202 points

Review

Evaluation of Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and S25 Ultra crucial features
Display
Screen quality, color accuracy, brightness
Camera
Photo and video recording quality
Performance
CPU and memory performance (apps, system)
Gaming
Capabilities for playing modern games
Battery
Battery life, charging type and speed
Connectivity
Networks, ports, data transmission
NanoReview Score
Final comparison evaluation
Select your primary usage scenario to get a more accurate NanoReview Score
📱 Primary usage:

Value for money (Beta)

To get an accurate value-for-money index, update the default prices with actual prices from your country’s retailers (for the selected memory configs) and press the "Calculate" button.
Currency
12 / 256 GB
VS
12 / 256 GB
33.7
(Mediocre)
Value Index
38.2
(Mediocre)

Tests and specifications

Comparison table of technical specifications and tests
Phone:
Galaxy S26 Ultra
vs
Galaxy S25 Ultra

Display

Type Dynamic AMOLED Dynamic AMOLED
Size 6.9 inches 6.9 inches
Resolution 1440 x 3120 pixels 1440 x 3120 pixels
Aspect ratio 19.5:9 19.5:9
PPI 500 ppi 498 ppi
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Adaptive refresh rate Yes (1-120 Hz) Yes (1-120 Hz)
Max rated brightness 1500 nits -
Max rated brightness in HDR 2600 nits 2600 nits
HDR support Yes, HDR10+ Yes, HDR10+
Touch sampling rate 240 Hz 240 Hz
Screen protection Corning Gorilla Armor 2 Corning Gorilla Armor 2
Screen-to-body ratio 91.4% 92.4%
Display features - DCI-P3
- Always-On Display
- DC Dimming		 - DCI-P3
- Always-On Display
- DC Dimming
Display tests
RGB color space - 97.7%
PWM - 240 Hz
Response time - 1 ms
Contrast - ∞ Infinity
Peak brightness test (auto)
Galaxy S26 Ultra +96%
2776 nits
Galaxy S25 Ultra
1413 nits
Sources: NotebookCheck [3], [4]

Design and build

Height 163.6 mm (6.44 inches) 162.8 mm (6.41 inches)
Width 78.1 mm (3.07 inches) 77.6 mm (3.06 inches)
Thickness 7.9 mm (0.31 inches) 8.2 mm (0.32 inches)
Weight 214 g (7.55 oz) 218 g (7.69 oz)
Waterproof IP68 IP68
Advanced cooling Vapor chamber Vapor chamber
Rear material Glass Glass
Frame material Metal Metal
Colors White, Black, Silver, Blue, Pink, Purple Black, Silver, Gray, Blue
Fingerprint scanner Yes, in-display Yes, in-display
Repairability - Good (3.23/5)
Drop resistance - Excellent (A) · 270 drops
Screen-to-body ratio

Performance

Chipset specifications of Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
SoC
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
Max clock 4740 MHz 4470 MHz
CPU cores 8 (2 + 6) 8 (2 + 6)
Architecture - 6 cores at 3.63 GHz: Oryon Gen 3 Performance
- 2 cores at 4.74 GHz: Oryon Gen 3 Prime		 - 6 cores at 3.53 GHz: Oryon (Phoenix M)
- 2 cores at 4.32 GHz: Oryon (Phoenix L)
L3 cache 8 MB 8 MB
Manufacturing TSMC TSMC
Lithography process 3 nanometers 3 nanometers
Neural processor (NPU) Hexagon Hexagon
GPU
Graphics Adreno 840 Adreno 830
GPU shading units 1536 1536
GPU clock 1300 MHz 1100 MHz
FLOPS ~3993.6 GFLOPS ~3379.2 GFLOPS

Benchmarks

Benchmark comparison of Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)
Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)
Compute Score (GPU)
Compute Score (GPU) 28391 26581
Single-core score 3624 3202
Multi-core score 11049 10347
Sources: Geekbench [3], [4]
AnTuTu Benchmark 11
Galaxy S26 Ultra +26%
3939244
Galaxy S25 Ultra
3128552
CPU 1168602 987646
GPU 1520337 1190760
Memory 448779 362214
UX 801526 587932
Total score 3939244 3128552
Samples [32 tests] [66 tests]
3DMark Steel Nomad Light
Stability 67% 61%
Graphics test 20 FPS 17 FPS
Graphics score 2737 2272
3DMark Solar Bay
Graphics test 46 FPS 40 FPS
Section 1 58 FPS 50 FPS
Section 2 42 FPS 40 FPS
Section 3 37 FPS 29 FPS
Graphics score 11990 10441
3DMark Wild Life Extreme
Stability - 56%
Graphics test 42 FPS 34 FPS
Graphics score 7123 5827
Sources: 3DMark [5], [6]
PCMark 3.0
Web score 23390 21582
Video editing 8217 8625
Photo editing 37389 34425
Data manipulation 18322 17556
Writing score 32854 26844
AnTuTu 11 Ranking List (32nd and 86th place)
Submit your benchmark results

Recent User Tests

The latest benchmark tests that have been submitted by users
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
DateBenchmarkResult
📘 2026-10-03 -> RennsportGeekbench 7 GPU16267
📘 2026-10-03 -> RennsportGeekbench 7 CPU3022 / 9141
📘 2026-09-23 (Raze)AnTuTu 123920421
📘 2026-09-19 (Niko)AnTuTu 123439980
📘 2026-09-18 (KEKRiLL)AnTuTu 124208433
Add View all (52)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
DateBenchmarkResult
📘 2026-10-04 (Gun park)AnTuTu 123085318
📘 2026-10-04 (potatowan)Geekbench 7 CPU2791 / 10180
📘 2026-10-03 (Apple Slayer)AnTuTu 123529678
📘 2026-10-02 (potatowan)AnTuTu 123590956
📘 2026-09-29 (VortexGen)AnTuTu 123414404
Add View all (96)

Memory

RAM
RAM size 12 GB 12 GB
Memory type LPDDR5X LPDDR5X
Memory clock 5300 MHz 5300 MHz
Channels 4 4
Storage
Storage size 256 GB 256 GB
Storage type UFS 4.0 UFS 4.0
Memory card No No

Software

Operating system Android 16 Android 15 (Can be upgraded to Android 16)
ROM One UI 8.5 One UI 8.0
OS size 33.2 GB 30.4 GB
OS updates 7 years 7 years
Security updates 7 years 7 years

Battery

Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
Max charge power 60 W 45 W
Battery type Li-Ion Li-Ion
Replaceable No No
Wireless charging Yes (25 W) Yes (25 W)
Reverse charging Yes, (wireless) Yes, (wireless)
Bypass charging Yes Yes
Fast charging Yes (84% in 30 min) Yes (72% in 30 min)
Full charging time 0:43 hr 0:59 hr
Battery cycles - 2000 cycles
Battery life tests
Web browsing 10:12 hr 11:10 hr
Watching video 21:39 hr 19:32 hr
Gaming 06:42 hr 06:22 hr
Standby 130 hr 132 hr
General battery life
Add your battery life

Main camera

Matrix 200 megapixels 200 megapixels
Image resolution 16320 x 12240 16320 x 12240
Zoom Optical, 5x Optical, 5x
Flash LED LED
Stabilization Optical Optical
8K video recording Up to 30FPS Up to 30FPS
4K video recording Up to 120FPS Up to 120FPS
1080p video recording Up to 240FPS Up to 240FPS
Slow motion 240 FPS (1080p) 240 FPS (1080p)
Angle of widest lens 120° 120°
Lenses 1) Standard: 200 MP
2) Telephoto: 50 MP
3) Telephoto: 10 MP
4) Ultrawide: 50 MP
1) Standard: 200 MP
2) Telephoto: 50 MP
3) Telephoto: 10 MP
4) Ultrawide: 50 MP
Camera features - Bokeh mode
- Pro mode
- RAW support		 - Bokeh mode
- Pro mode
- RAW support
Standard lens
Image resolution 200 MP 200 MP
Aperture f/1.4 f/1.7
Focal length 23 mm 23 mm
Sensor Samsung ISOCELL S5KHP2 Samsung ISOCELL S5KHP2
Sensor size 1/1.3" (≈ 0.77 inch) 1/1.3" (≈ 0.77 inch)
Pixel size 0.6 micron 0.6 micron
Autofocus Laser autofocus Laser autofocus
Stabilization Optical Optical
Telephoto lens
Image resolution 50 MP 50 MP
Aperture f/2.9 f/3.4
Focal length 111 mm 111 mm
Sensor Sony IMX854 Sony IMX854
Sensor size 1/2.52" (≈ 0.4 inch) 1/2.52" (≈ 0.4 inch)
Pixel size 0.7 micron 0.7 micron
Stabilization Optical Optical
Ultra-wide lens
Image resolution 50 MP 50 MP
Aperture f/1.9 f/1.9
Focal length 13 mm 13 mm
Sensor Samsung ISOCELL S5KJN3 Samsung ISOCELL S5KJN3
Sensor size 1/2.5" (≈ 0.4 inch) 1/2.5" (≈ 0.4 inch)
Pixel size 0.7 micron 0.7 micron
Stabilization Digital Digital

DxOMark main camera tests

Photo quality
Video quality
Generic main camera score
Bokeh 165 165
Preview - 81
Zoom 141 137
Samples Photo samples of Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra from DxOMark Photo samples of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from DxOMark

Selfie camera

Megapixels 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Image resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Aperture f/2.2 f/2.2
Focal length 23 mm 26 mm
Sensor Samsung ISOCELL S5K3LU Samsung S5K3LU
Sensor size 1/3.2" (≈ 0.31 inch) 1/3.2" (≈ 0.31 inch)
Pixel size 1.12 micron 1.12 micron
Autofocus Phase autofocus (Dual Pixel) Phase autofocus (Dual Pixel)
Stabilization Digital Digital
Video resolution 2160p (4K) at 60 FPS 2160p (4K) at 60 FPS
Depth sensor (TOF 3D) No No

Connectivity

Wi-Fi standard Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be)
Wi-Fi features - Dual Band
- Wi-Fi MiMO
- Wi-Fi Direct
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Wi-Fi Display		 - Dual Band
- Wi-Fi MiMO
- Wi-Fi Direct
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Wi-Fi Display
Bluetooth version 6.0 5.4
Bluetooth features LE LE
USB type USB Type-C USB Type-C
USB version 3.2 3.2
USB features - Charging
- USB-Storage mode
- OTG		 - Charging
- USB-Storage mode
- OTG
DisplayPort Yes Yes, DP 1.2
GPS GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS
NFC* Yes Yes
Infrared port No No
Network
Number of SIM* 1 1
Type of SIM card Nano Nano
Multi SIM mode Standby Standby
eSIM support* Yes Yes
Hybrid slot No No
5G support Yes Yes

Sound

Speakers Stereo Stereo
Headphone audio jack No No
FM radio No No
Dolby Atmos Yes Yes
Speakers test
Max loudness

Other

Category Flagship Flagship
Announced February 2026 January 2025
Release date March 2026 February 2025
Launch price (MSRP) $1299 $1299
Successor - - Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
SAR (head) 1.28 W/kg 1.25 W/kg
SAR (body) 1.35 W/kg 1.42 W/kg
Sensors - Hall-effect sensor
- Barometer
- Proximity sensor
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Ambient light sensor
- Compass
- Fingerprint		 - Hall-effect sensor
- Barometer
- Proximity sensor
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Ambient light sensor
- Compass
- Fingerprint
Bundled charger Not included Not included
Further details
Notes on Galaxy S25 Ultra:
    - Supports up to 2 eSIMs. The international model has 2 physical SIM slots, while the U.S. version has 1.
    - Uses Grade 5 titanium and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass on both sides.
*Disclaimer! NFC, GSM network support, and some other specs can be different depending on the country.

Conclusion

These smartphones have a lot in common, but we would recommend the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It has a better display, camera, and gaming.

Cast your vote

So, which phone would you choose?
1199 (40.1%)
1789 (59.9%)
Total votes: 2988

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User opinions

You can share your opinion or ask a question in the comments below
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Avatar
Luke August 15, 2026 at 01:29 AM
Peak brightness measurements are wrong. Other sources state they're almost identical.
0 Reply
Avatar
Phone Soldier March 24, 2026 at 12:42 AM
want the lightest weight, more ai, fastest processor, and greatest cameras for samsung rn? get the s26. want something cheaper but basically the same but just aprox 5-10% lower on the features mentioned above? get the s25. not much difference, just a bit more update on improvements. plus always look at the price differences and if the increased pricing is reasonable? does the changes and improvements of camera, ai, soc, really make a difference? convert them into percentages or ask ai or a seller. this is Precisely why math's matter in life :)) my reply is based on my experience of trying out the new s26 ultra and comparing it to my current s25 ultra, And for my personal perspective, I feel like the S26 U is so much less in my hands than the s25 U. Why? The weight quality? too light, feels like it could slip right off my palms, quality feels actually cheaper even tho it isn't, does the new feats matter to me who is a casual worker and enjoyer of watching and playing games? not much really. My conclusion leads to Value > Quality, I put value first before quality looking at how much value does the improvements really add and decide if the quality is worth it.
0 Reply
Avatar
Polka March 21, 2026 at 01:49 PM
Everyone, This is simple!!! S26=more faster, more stuff e.g. improved perf and camera and tad bit longer battery. Though much more costly S25=bit slower, almost the same with battery and camera, Still a good Phone > pick for balance and budget
0 Reply
Avatar
Mike March 23, 2026 at 06:29 PM
"More Faster"? How about just saying "Faster"? ?
+10 Reply
Avatar
More faster June 3, 2026 at 09:47 PM
Mike, Maybe he meant, much faster? I understood it perfectly fine. Not everyone is brought up with the same language/education.
+6 Reply
Avatar
Chiron March 4, 2026 at 01:54 AM
The thickness on the S25 ultra is a no, no for me so, I may get the S26 Ultra. 4.7Ghz processing speed and 1.2Ghz Gpu speed got me really. This right here is the future.
0 Reply
Avatar
Angie March 2, 2026 at 09:51 PM
Not much differences between S25 ultra and S26 ultra.
+17 Reply
Avatar
Favi12 February 27, 2026 at 07:50 PM
The telephoto focal length is f2.9 not f1. 9
+3 Reply
Avatar
Quifsa February 25, 2026 at 06:45 PM
Bro this has to be a joke right? hahahaha TREMENDOUS amount of changes :D i seriously dont understand why samsung gives 7 years of updates when it releases almost the same phones every year like whats the point ?
+35 Reply
Avatar
ComputerNerd January 26, 2026 at 07:58 PM
Very little changes. CPU, weight, and telephoto lenses got marginally better. The S25 Ultra is the better deal on a discount.
+25 Reply
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