Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Which One Should You Buy?

ByBNW TEAM

Choosing between Samsung’s latest flagship and its predecessor can be difficult, especially when both phones offer premium displays, powerful processors, excellent cameras and long-term software support. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra brings several meaningful upgrades, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains a powerful option and can offer better value if available at a lower price.

For UK buyers searching for Samsung S26 Ultra UK or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra UK, the right choice depends on whether you want the latest technology or prefer to save money while still getting flagship-level performance.

Design and Display

Both phones feature a large 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and S Pen support. Samsung has kept the premium Ultra design philosophy, but the S26 Ultra is thinner and lighter.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra measures 7.9mm thick and weighs 214g, compared with 8.2mm and 218g for the S25 Ultra. This makes the newer model slightly easier to carry while still providing the same large-screen experience.

One of the biggest display-related advantages of the S26 Ultra is its built-in Privacy Display. This feature is designed to reduce what people beside you can see on the screen, which can be particularly useful when checking private messages, banking information or work documents in public places.

Benefits of the Galaxy S26 Ultra

  • Built-in Privacy Display
  • Thinner and lighter body
  • Large 6.9-inch QHD+ display
  • 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
  • S Pen support
  • Premium flagship construction

Benefits of the Galaxy S25 Ultra

The S25 Ultra still offers an excellent 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and S Pen support. For everyday browsing, streaming, gaming and productivity, it remains a high-end display that does not feel outdated.

Performance

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a major performance advantage thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor. Samsung says its customised processor delivers a 19% improvement in CPU performance, 24% better graphics processing and a 39% faster NPU compared with the S25 Ultra.

This makes the S26 Ultra particularly attractive for people who play demanding games, edit videos, use AI features or multitask heavily.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. Although it is one generation older, it remains extremely powerful for everyday use and demanding applications. It is still more than capable for gaming, photography, social media, office work and content creation.

Therefore, the S26 Ultra is the better choice for maximum performance, while the S25 Ultra can provide excellent performance at potentially lower prices.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is another area where the S26 Ultra improves on its predecessor. Both phones have a 200MP main camera and 50MP ultra-wide camera, but the S26 Ultra introduces wider apertures.

The S26 Ultra features a 200MP wide camera with an f/1.4 aperture, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a 50MP 5x telephoto camera and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera. The S25 Ultra has a 200MP f/1.7 main camera, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP 5x telephoto and 10MP 3x telephoto.

The wider main-camera aperture on the S26 Ultra can help it capture more light, particularly in darker environments. Samsung also highlights improved camera processing and its updated ProVisual Engine for photography and video.

Benefits of Samsung S26 Ultra Camera

The S26 Ultra is a strong choice for photographers who want:

  • Improved low-light photography
  • A 200MP main camera
  • 50MP ultra-wide camera
  • 5x optical zoom
  • 3x optical zoom
  • Up to 100x digital zoom
  • Improved image processing

Benefits of Samsung S25 Ultra Camera

The S25 Ultra remains an excellent camera phone. Its 200MP main camera, 50MP ultra-wide and dual telephoto system provide plenty of flexibility for everyday photography, travel photography and zoom shots.

If you already own an S25 Ultra, the camera upgrade alone may not be enough reason to replace it. However, new buyers who want the latest Samsung camera hardware may prefer the S26 Ultra.

Battery and Charging

Both Ultra models use a 5,000mAh battery. The major improvement comes in charging speed. Samsung lists 60W wired charging for the S26 Ultra, compared with 45W for the S25 Ultra.

The S26 Ultra can therefore be a better choice for users who frequently need to recharge quickly during a busy day.

The S25 Ultra still benefits from its 5,000mAh battery and offers strong battery life for normal smartphone use. If you mainly charge your phone overnight, the difference in charging speed may not be important.

Galaxy AI and Software

Samsung continues to make AI a major part of its flagship phones. The S26 series introduces One UI 8.5 and additional Galaxy AI functionality, including features designed to make interactions and everyday tasks more intelligent. Samsung’s S26 software experience is built around an AI-first approach.

The S25 Ultra also benefits from Galaxy AI features and remains a modern flagship with powerful software capabilities. For users who want the newest AI features and latest Samsung software experience, the S26 Ultra has the advantage.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you are looking for the most advanced Samsung flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the better choice. It offers a newer processor, improved camera hardware, faster charging, a thinner design and the unique Privacy Display.

However, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is still an excellent option. Its powerful Snapdragon processor, 200MP camera, 6.9-inch AMOLED display, 5,000mAh battery and S Pen make it suitable for almost any smartphone user. If you find the S25 Ultra at a significant discount, it could offer better overall value.

For shoppers comparing Samsung S26 Ultra UK prices with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra UK deals, the decision is simple: choose the S26 Ultra if you want the newest features and maximum performance. Choose the S25 Ultra if you want a premium Samsung experience while potentially spending less.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra wins overall because of its improved processor, camera upgrades, faster charging and Privacy Display. However, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra remains a strong choice for buyers who prioritise value.

In short, buy the S26 Ultra for the latest technology; buy the S25 Ultra for flagship performance at potentially better value.