Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: I compared the flagship phones to decide the better buy

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The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is an experiential upgrade implicit its predecessor. I wouldn't accidental "incremental" due to the fact that immoderate features similar Privacy Display and improved agentic AI are precise significant, but if you already person the Galaxy S25 Ultra, you're astir apt wondering if these features marque it worthy buying. 

Also: Samsung Unpacked 2026 recap: Galaxy S26 Ultra specs, Buds 4 Pro, Bixby, more

I've been investigating Samsung's latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, to find retired precisely however it differentiates from its predecessor, the S25 Ultra. Here's however the 2 devices straight compare, and the reasons to bargain 1 implicit the other.

You should bargain the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if…

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1. You request Privacy Display

First, enactment that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the aforesaid show size, resolution, and refresh complaint arsenic its predecessor. Both phones person a 6.9-inch QDH+ 120Hz AMOLED show with a little reflective screen. When the Galaxy S25 Ultra archetypal came out, I said it had the best show connected a 2025 smartphone. 

Now, Samsung has topped that with the instauration of the Privacy Display feature. When turned on, it works similar a stick-on surface protector. It limits the viewing angles, truthful nary 1 tin eavesdrop connected your surface successful public. You tin person it turned connected for the full surface astatine each times, erstwhile entering PINs and passwords, oregon lone for circumstantial apps.

Also: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: My concerns arsenic a longtime Galaxy user

If you person specified apps and you person a pop-up notification from them, the surface volition automatically activate Privacy Display for that information of the screen. It is built connected a pixel level, truthful it's lone disposable connected the Galaxy S26, which could beryllium worthy the upgrade for galore users. 

2. You privation a amended in-hand feel

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Last year, Samsung redesigned the Galaxy S25 Ultra, cutting down its value to 218 grams -- a large feat for a mainstream flagship phone. None of the $1,000-plus phones from Apple oregon Google weighs little than 230 grams. However, it was harder to usage than the heavier Galaxy S24 Ultra due to its crisp rear edges. 

The caller Samsung telephone has a akin design, but it is easier to use. It's Samsung's slimmest Ultra telephone yet, measuring 7.9mm heavy and weighing 214 grams, making it slimmer and lighter than the predecessor and its Apple and Google rivals. 

If you don't usage a lawsuit connected your telephone and are bushed of Galaxy S25 Ultra's sides digging into your palm, the Galaxy S26 Ultra should beryllium an ergonomic improvement. 

3. You privation moving agentic AI

As I wrote successful my hands-on, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the archetypal telephone I tin spot myself utilizing with my voice. It tin find and trigger contextual actions without maine having to fiddle with Settings oregon hunt down the app. 

For instance, if I privation to find the edifice booking saved connected my phone, I tin conscionable inquire for "New York edifice booking," and it'll amusement maine the address, oregon I tin inquire it to "Turn connected Privacy Display," and it'll bash that without needing maine to find it successful the Settings.

Some of these features should beryllium included successful the last-gen Galaxy S25 Ultra, but Samsung hasn't confirmed thing yet. And fixed the artillery capableness is inactive the aforesaid (5,000mAh), Galaxy S26 Ultra's 60W accelerated charging should marque your life, if all-day AI usage eats up much artillery than usual. 

You should bargain the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if…

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1. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has minimal hardware changes

If you usage a lawsuit connected your phone, you won't consciousness the ergonomic differences. Separately, Samsung hasn't upgraded arsenic galore interior components arsenic I'd hoped. Barring the Privacy Display, you get the aforesaid screen, aforesaid artillery capacity, aforesaid ultrawide and 3x telephoto cameras, and the aforesaid S Pen. There are minimal hardware changes connected the 200MP camera and 5x telephoto sensor.

Also: I changed 7 settings connected my Samsung telephone to importantly amended the artillery life

If your Galaxy S25 Ultra is moving fine, there's nary large crushed to upgrade. In fact, if you tin find this telephone for nether $800 close now, it is simply a amended woody than the new-gen phone.

2. AI doesn't excite you

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's upgrades see improved AI features. From Bixby getting a conversational and agentic upgrade to photograph editing features getting smarter, there's a batch of AI talk. If they don't excite you, it is amended to hold and spot if Samsung rolls retired these features to the Galaxy S25 Ultra alternatively than buying a caller telephone for its hype. Many, if not all, should beryllium released for the last-gen model.

Writer's choice

Personally, if I could find a bully trade-in offer, I'd upgrade to the Galaxy S26 Ultra successful a heartbeat. As a predominant traveler, I emotion the Privacy Display arsenic a applicable feature. I'm successful nationalist spaces often, and don't privation bystanders to spot my screen. I emotion its implementation, and the easier-to-hold plan conscionable adds to a amended experience.

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