Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S25

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S25 lines up the March 2026 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with the January 2025 Samsung Galaxy S25. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.

Spec lead

8.4 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy

Spec score

1.6 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S25 specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S25 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip, storage, camera hardware, and optical zoom.

Spec sheet

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S25 published specs. Display lead uses refresh rate, pixel density, peak brightness, and always-on when both phones publish them. Camera lead is a hardware class, not a photo test. Battery is scored only when both phones publish the same kind of figure.
Spec	Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra	Samsung Galaxy S25
Display	6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz, always-onTie	6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2340×1080, 416 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-onTie
Chip	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for GalaxyLeads	Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Memory	12GB (16GB with 1TB)Tie	12GBTie
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TBLeads	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Camera hardware	200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawideLeads	50MP f/1.8 main, 10MP 3x optical telephoto, 12MP ultrawide
Optical zoom	5xLeads	3x
Front camera	12MP	12MP
Battery	5,000 mAhLeads	4,000 mAh; up to 29 hours video playback
Charging	60W, about 75% in 30 minutes. Super Fast Wireless Charging, Wireless PowerShareLeads	25W wired. Wireless charging, Wireless PowerShare
Weight	214 g	162 gLeads
Water resistance	IP68Tie	IP68Tie
Software support	7 years of OS and security updatesTie	7 years of OS and security updatesTie
Launch price	£1,279 UK RRP	$799 launch price
Software	Android 16, One UI 8.5	Android 15, One UI 7 at launch
Biometrics	Ultrasonic fingerprint	Ultrasonic fingerprint
Connectivity	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Who should buy which

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want Android 16, One UI 8.5. It leads on chip, storage, camera hardware, optical zoom, battery, and charging.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 if you want Android 15, One UI 7 at launch. It leads on weight.

Questions

Which is better, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy S25?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S25 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip, storage, camera hardware, and optical zoom.