Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra: How the Ultras Stack Up
Samsung's Ultra lineup has long been the gold standard for Android flagship phones, and with the Galaxy S26 Ultra now officially unveiled, the question on every tech enthusiast's mind is simple: how much better is it, really? Whether you're upgrading from the S24 Ultra, debating whether the S25 Ultra jump was worth it, or eyeing the S26 Ultra as your next big purchase, this deep-dive comparison has everything you need to make the smartest decision in 2026.
Let's break down exactly where the S26 Ultra improves, where the differences are subtle, and whether your current phone still holds its own.
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Design and Display: Evolution, Not Revolution
Samsung has maintained its signature rectangular form factor across all three generations, but there are meaningful refinements along the way.
- Galaxy S24 Ultra: Titanium frame, 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, flat display, 2600 nits peak brightness
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Slightly slimmer profile, refined titanium finish, same 6.8-inch panel with improved 2900 nits peak brightness, anti-reflective coating
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Subtly redesigned corners (slightly more rounded), same 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, pushing toward 3000 nits peak brightness with further improved anti-glare technology
In daily use, all three phones offer stunning displays. The S26 Ultra's incremental screen improvements are most noticeable in direct sunlight — a real-world benefit if you spend a lot of time outdoors. However, if you're upgrading from the S24 Ultra specifically for the display, you may not feel the jump as dramatically as the spec sheet implies.
The S Pen is still included in all three Ultra models — a key differentiator from the rest of Samsung's S-series lineup.
Performance: Snapdragon Dominance Continues
This is where the generational leap becomes most apparent.
| Model | Chipset | RAM | Storage Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| S24 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 12GB | 256GB–1TB |
| S25 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 12GB | 256GB–1TB |
| S26 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 | 12GB–16GB | 256GB–1TB |
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 inside the S26 Ultra brings tangible improvements in CPU and GPU throughput, and crucially, enhanced on-device AI processing power. Samsung has leaned hard into Galaxy AI features, and the S26 Ultra's upgraded Neural Processing Unit (NPU) enables faster, more responsive AI tasks — from Live Translate to real-time photo enhancements — without needing to ping the cloud.
For everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and social media, all three phones feel essentially instant. The difference becomes real in sustained performance under load — gaming sessions, 8K video recording, and intensive AI workloads — where the S26 Ultra runs cooler and maintains peak speeds longer thanks to improved thermal management.
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Camera System: Where the S26 Ultra Truly Shines
Samsung's camera evolution across these three generations tells an interesting story:
Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- 200MP main (f/1.7), 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto
- Strong detail capture, but processing could occasionally over-sharpen
Galaxy S25 Ultra:
- 200MP main (f/1.7), 50MP ultrawide (massive upgrade), 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto
- The ultrawide jump from 12MP to 50MP was arguably the biggest camera upgrade between these two generations
Galaxy S26 Ultra:
- 200MP main (improved sensor size), improved 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto
- New AI Scene Optimization 3.0 for smarter automatic adjustments
- Enhanced low-light performance across all lenses
- ProVisual Engine upgrades that reduce noise and improve color accuracy
For most users, the S25 Ultra to S26 Ultra camera jump is more modest compared to the significant ultrawide upgrade between the S24 and S25 generations. That said, the S26 Ultra consistently edges out in nighttime photography and video stabilization — areas where Samsung has historically played catch-up with Google's Pixel lineup.
If cameras are your primary reason for upgrading and you currently own an S24 Ultra, the S26 Ultra represents a genuine improvement. S25 Ultra owners, however, might find the camera gains less compelling as a standalone reason to upgrade.
Battery and Charging: Solid Across All Three
All three Ultra phones carry a 5,000mAh battery — Samsung has kept this constant across generations. The improvements come in efficiency:
- S24 Ultra: 45W wired, 15W wireless charging
- S25 Ultra: 45W wired, 15W wireless — similar real-world battery life
- S26 Ultra: 45W wired, 25W wireless charging — the wireless upgrade is the notable change here
In practice, the S26 Ultra's better chipset efficiency means you'll eke out slightly longer screen-on time compared to its predecessors, but don't expect dramatically different day-to-day battery results. All three phones comfortably last a full day for most users.
Software and AI Features: The S26 Ultra's Secret Weapon
All three phones ship with One UI, but the S26 Ultra launches with One UI 8 and the most advanced Galaxy AI suite to date. Key AI features exclusive to or best experienced on the S26 Ultra include:
- Now Brief & Now Bar: Proactive AI suggestions based on your habits
- Sketch to Image 2.0: More refined AI image generation
- AI-powered note summarization in Samsung Notes
- Real-time interpreter improvements for 20+ languages
Critically, Samsung has committed to 7 years of OS and security updates for the S26 Ultra — matching the S25 Ultra's promise. If you're on the S24 Ultra, you're still well within Samsung's support window, so software longevity shouldn't force an upgrade decision.
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Price and Value: Which Ultra Is Right for You?
Here's the honest verdict based on where you're starting from:
Upgrading from Galaxy S24 Ultra? The S26 Ultra offers meaningful improvements across performance, camera processing, and AI features. If you're a power user, content creator, or someone who needs the absolute best, the upgrade makes sense. Casual users may find the S24 Ultra still more than capable.
Upgrading from Galaxy S25 Ultra? Honestly — hold off. The generational difference between the S25 and S26 Ultra is real but incremental. Unless Samsung's trade-in deals make the financial case irresistible, your S25 Ultra remains an exceptional flagship well into 2026.
Buying your first Ultra? The S26 Ultra is the obvious choice. It represents the best Samsung has ever built in this form factor, with the longest software support runway ahead of it.
Quick Comparison Summary
| Feature | S24 Ultra | S25 Ultra | S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP | 50MP | 50MP (improved) |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 15W | 25W |
| Peak Brightness | 2600 nits | 2900 nits | ~3000 nits |
| S Pen Included | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| OS Support | 7 years | 7 years | 7 years |
Samsung's Ultra series continues to set the benchmark for Android flagship hardware, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best Ultra yet — even if the year-over-year improvements are more refined than revolutionary. For anyone still rocking an S23 Ultra or older, the upgrade to the S26 Ultra will feel genuinely transformative. For everyone else, the choice depends on how much you value having the absolute cutting edge.
FAQ
What's the biggest upgrade from the Galaxy S25 Ultra to the S26 Ultra? The most notable improvements are the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chipset for better AI performance and sustained speeds, enhanced low-light camera processing, and upgraded 25W wireless charging. The overall jump is incremental rather than radical.
Is the Galaxy S24 Ultra still worth buying in 2026? The S24 Ultra remains a powerful and capable phone, but with the S26 Ultra now available, it's harder to recommend at full price. Look for significant discounts or refurbished deals — it still handles all daily tasks with ease and has years of software support remaining.
Does the Galaxy S26 Ultra still include an S Pen? Yes, Samsung continues to include the S Pen in all Ultra models, including the S26 Ultra. This remains one of the defining features that separates the Ultra lineup from the rest of the Galaxy S26 series.
How long will Samsung support the Galaxy S26 Ultra with updates? Samsung has committed to 7 years of OS and security updates for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, meaning software support through approximately 2033.
Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra camera better than the S25 Ultra? Yes, but the improvement is more subtle than the leap between S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra (where the ultrawide jumped from 12MP to 50MP). The S26 Ultra offers improved low-light performance and better AI-driven processing across all lenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the biggest upgrade from the Galaxy S25 Ultra to the S26 Ultra?
The most notable improvements are the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chipset for better AI performance and sustained speeds, enhanced low-light camera processing, and upgraded 25W wireless charging. The overall jump is incremental rather than radical.
Is the Galaxy S24 Ultra still worth buying in 2026?
The S24 Ultra remains a powerful and capable phone, but with the S26 Ultra now available, it's harder to recommend at full price. Look for significant discounts or refurbished deals — it still handles all daily tasks with ease and has years of software support remaining.
Does the Galaxy S26 Ultra still include an S Pen?
Yes, Samsung continues to include the S Pen in all Ultra models, including the S26 Ultra. This remains one of the defining features that separates the Ultra lineup from the rest of the Galaxy S26 series.
How long will Samsung support the Galaxy S26 Ultra with updates?
Samsung has committed to 7 years of OS and security updates for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, meaning software support through approximately 2033.
Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra camera better than the S25 Ultra?
Yes, but the improvement is more subtle than the leap between S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra, where the ultrawide jumped from 12MP to 50MP. The S26 Ultra offers improved low-light performance and better AI-driven processing across all lenses.
