Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: What Upgrades to Expect From the Next Ultra

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is already shaping up to be the most talked-about phone in Samsung’s next flagship lineup. Samsung has confirmed that its first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026 will take place on February 25, where we’re expecting three phones: the Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S26 Plus, and, of course, the Ultra.

Let’s focus on the one that matters most.

Based on all the leaks so far, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t look like a dramatic leap over the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Instead, it seems like Samsung has gone for a year of refinement. Small, practical changes that don’t sound exciting on their own, but could add up once you actually use the phone.

The Display Gets Better in Subtle Ways

The screen size difference is barely noticeable on paper. The S26 Ultra is tipped to move from a 6.86-inch panel to 6.89 inches, which most people won’t notice day to day.

What matters more is the panel itself. Leaks point to a shift from an M13 to an M14 display, along with a move from 8-bit to 10-bit color. That should translate to smoother gradients and better color depth, especially when watching HDR content.

Samsung is also said to be using a third-generation anti-reflective coating this time, and there’s mention of a new privacy display feature that wasn’t present on the S25 Ultra.

Performance Moves Forward, Quietly

The S26 Ultra is expected to run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, replacing the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the S25 Ultra.

RAM speeds are also rumored to increase from 9.6Gbps to 10.7Gbps, which should help the phone feel smoother over time rather than instantly faster.

Same Battery Size, Faster Charging

Battery capacity is said to stay at 5000mAh, which might feel familiar. Charging, however, is where Samsung could finally push things forward.

Leaks suggest wired charging may increase from 45W to 60W, while wireless charging could jump from 15W to 25W. If that happens, the S26 Ultra should be noticeably easier to top up during a busy day, especially if you rely on wireless charging.

Camera Changes Are About Light, Not Numbers

On the camera front, Samsung doesn’t seem to be chasing higher megapixels. The 200MP main camera is expected to stick with the same HP2 sensor, but with a wider f/1.4 aperture instead of f/1.7.

The 50MP 5x telephoto camera could also get a brighter f/2.9 aperture, down from f/3.4. Both changes should help in low-light conditions. The 10MP 3x camera, however, is rumored to use a slightly smaller sensor.

A Softer Design and a Lighter Feel

Design-wise, leaks suggest the S26 Ultra may move away from the sharp, boxy look of the S25 Ultra. A more rounded frame is expected, along with a slimmer body at 7.9mm instead of 8.2mm, and a small weight reduction from 218 grams to 214 grams.

One notable shift is the material choice. The frame is said to switch from titanium to aluminum. That could explain the weight drop, though it may also change how premium the phone feels in the hand.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Price Could Actually Be Lower?

This part is still uncertain, but interesting.

Some leaks suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra could launch at a lower price than the S25 Ultra. If that turns out to be true, it would be a surprising move given the upgrades on offer. That said, this is very much something to take with a grain of salt until Samsung makes things official.

The Bottom Line So Far

Based on the leaks, the Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t look like a phone that tries to reinvent Samsung’s flagship formula. Instead, it feels like a careful polish, better display tech, faster charging, refined cameras, and a design that’s a bit easier to live with.

Whether that’s enough to justify an upgrade from the S25 Ultra will likely come down to pricing and how these changes feel in real-world use. With February 25 not far away, we won’t have to wait long to find out.