Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Incremental Upgrades Worth Considering
Samsung is known for releasing a new Ultra model every year, prompting the same debate: is it worth the upgrade? The Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t serve as a revolutionary shift in smartphone design, but it does offer a number of significant improvements that make the comparison with its predecessor, the S25 Ultra, worth exploring.
Price and Availability
The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299.99 for the base model with 256GB of storage. Pre-orders are available on Samsung’s website, Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung Experience Stores. General availability begins on March 11, 2026.
In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is already on sale, with discounts between $300 to $400 at various retailers, making it an appealing choice for bargain hunters.
Design
The S25 Ultra was a bold, titanium-clad phone with sharp corners, resembling a workout enthusiast’s ironed gym attire. In comparison, the S26 Ultra refines this aesthetic, making it feel slightly more ergonomic without losing its “Ultra” identity. It is 0.3mm thinner and 4g lighter than the S25 Ultra, which might not sound groundbreaking, but it changes how the device feels in hand.
However, the bezels on the S26 Ultra are marginally thicker, leading to a slightly lower screen-to-body ratio. The IP68 water and dust resistance remains unchanged. The color options are more vibrant this year, featuring Cobalt Violet and Sky Blue, alongside the standard White and Black, with exclusive colors like Pink Gold and Silver Shadow available on Samsung.com.
Display
The S26 Ultra continues to utilize the same 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel and 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate as its predecessor. However, it introduces a world-first Privacy Display feature, which allows the screen to adapt brightness and scatter light to keep information secure from prying eyes. This innovation is not just a gimmick; it significantly enhances user privacy while maintaining display quality.
Performance
While the S25 Ultra boasted the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the S26 Ultra takes it a step further with a custom-tuned Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This version features enhanced clock speeds and improved performance metrics, with a CPU boost of 19%, GPU performance up by 24%, and an impressive 39% enhancement in NPU capabilities. These improvements manifest in speedier app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences.
Software
Shipped with One UI 8.5 and Android 16, the S26 Ultra offers noteworthy enhancements over its predecessor. The updated Galaxy AI features now recognize context across apps, enabling it to anticipate user needs effectively. Furthermore, Bixby’s conversational capabilities have received a substantial upgrade, aiming to deliver a more intuitive user experience.
Cameras
While the camera specs may seem identical between both models, with a 200MP main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide, the S26 Ultra refines its image-capturing ability through wider apertures—F1.4 for the main camera and F2.9 for the telephoto. This translates to improved low-light performance, meaning users can capture clearer images in challenging lighting conditions.
Battery
Both phones feature a 5,000mAh battery, but the S26 Ultra enhances charging speeds to 60W wired and 25W wireless charging. This allows for quicker top-ups and alleviates charging concerns for users with busy lifestyles. However, it’s worth noting that the 60W charger is not included in the box, which may come as a disappointment to some buyers.
Conclusion
While the Galaxy S26 Ultra presents measurable advances—speedier performance, enhanced camera features, and a genuinely useful Privacy Display—it’s particularly relevant for those seeking cutting-edge technology. However, for current S25 Ultra owners, the incremental upgrades may not warrant an immediate switch, unless high-end camera functionalities and the superior Snapdragon chip are paramount to their needs.
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Image Credit: www.digitaltrends.com
