Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lines up the March 2026 Samsung Galaxy S26 with the January 2024 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.

Spec score

4.1 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S26 specs

Exynos 2600 (UK announcement; regional variants can differ)

Spec lead

5.9 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on camera hardware, optical zoom, battery, and charging.

Spec sheet

Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 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	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Display	6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+, 120Hz, always-onTie	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440, 505 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-onTie
Chip	Exynos 2600 (UK announcement; regional variants can differ)Leads	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Memory	12GBTie	12GBTie
Storage	256GB, 512GBTie	256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie
Camera hardware	50MP f/1.8 main, 10MP 3x optical telephoto, 12MP ultrawide	200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 12MP ultrawideLeads
Optical zoom	3x	5xLeads
Front camera	12MP	12MP
Battery	4,300 mAh	5,000 mAhLeads
Charging	25W, about 55% in 30 minutes. Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare	45W wired. 15W wireless, Wireless PowerShareLeads
Weight	167 gLeads	232 g
Water resistance	IP68Tie	IP68Tie
Software support	7 years of OS and security updatesTie	7 years of OS and security updatesTie
Launch price	£879 UK RRP	$1,299 launch price
Software	Android 16, One UI 8.5	Android 14, One UI 6.1 at launch
Biometrics	Ultrasonic fingerprint	Ultrasonic fingerprint
Connectivity	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3

Who should buy which

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 if you want Android 16, One UI 8.5. It leads on chip and weight.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you want Android 14, One UI 6.1 at launch. It leads on camera hardware, optical zoom, battery, and charging.

Questions

Which is better, Samsung Galaxy S26 or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on camera hardware, optical zoom, battery, and charging.