Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S25

The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip brings significant performance and efficiency gains. Galaxy AI features run smoothly on-device, and daily performance is exceptional.

• After three years making essentially the same phone, Samsung has nailed it — better than its predecessors in almost every way, beating the iPhone 16 in performance
• Galaxy AI features are genuinely useful and well-integrated into the daily experience
• On-device AI processing is noticeably faster than cloud-based alternatives

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy is used worldwide on the Ultra (unlike the base S26 and S26+, which split between Snapdragon and Exynos 2600 by region). Multi-core Geekbench numbers hit 10,713–11,240, with 3DMark stability at 67.6% — a substantial improvement on the S25 Ultra's 58.4%. Sustained gaming improved too thanks to a larger vapor chamber, though Ars Technica still measured about 40% GPU drop under max stress.

• Benchmark scores are the highest seen on a smartphone, closely matching the OnePlus 15 that runs the same chip — gameplay is smooth even at max settings in Genshin Impact.
• In Geekbench 6 the S26 Ultra hit a multi-core score of 11,240 (up from 9,828 on the S25 Ultra) and a GPU score of 25,403 (up from 19,863) — essentially as fast as an Android phone can get in 2026.
• 3DMark Wild Life stability hits 67.6% over a 20-minute benchmark — up from the S25 Ultra's 58.4% and beating the Honor Magic 8 Pro (55.4%).
• Even under maximum stress the Ultra sheds about 40% of its graphical performance — still faster in games than Google's Pixel phones, but a big chunk to lose.
• Opening apps is lightning-quick and the ample RAM easily keeps heavy apps and games in memory — the S26 Ultra is blazing fast all the time, though it damn well better be for $1,300.
• The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5's NPU is 39% more powerful than the previous generation, powering the new AI features — CPU is up 19%, GPU up 24%.

Samsung Galaxy S25

The 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP 3x telephoto setup delivers reliable results. AI photo editing tools add genuine value, though hardware improvements over S24 are minimal.

• Camera experience is just okay — display is excellent, performance is on point, but cameras need more attention
• Galaxy AI photo editing features like Generative Edit genuinely improve the experience
• Hardware is largely unchanged from S24 — feels like Samsung is coasting on software improvements alone

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The sensors are unchanged from the S25 Ultra (200 MP main, 50 MP ultrawide, 10 MP 3x telephoto, 50 MP 5x telephoto), but the main gets a wider f/1.4 aperture (up from f/1.7) and the 5x telephoto widens to f/2.9 (from f/3.4). Low-light improves noticeably, and Horizon Lock video stabilization is a new headline feature. The 3x 10 MP sensor is aging and rivals from Oppo, Xiaomi and Honor now pull clearly ahead on absolute image quality.

• Both the main 200 MP and 5x telephoto get brighter lenses (f/1.7 → f/1.4 and f/3.4 → f/2.9) — a welcome update that especially helps low-light photography.
• The S26 Ultra actually beats the Pixel 10 Pro on noise in low-light shots, and even manages to expose a dim Grogu-doll scene better than Google's phone.
• Versus the Pixel 10 Pro, Google still maintains faster shutter speeds in 2026, though Samsung's wider aperture helps it keep up with Apple on motion.
• Horizon Lock / Super Steady Video automatically corrects up to 360 degrees of rotation, producing dramatically stable footage even when you twist and shake the phone — though it needs plenty of light.
• The 10 MP 3x telephoto uses a comparatively smaller sensor and is noticeably weaker than the other lenses — shots in the 3-5x range don't have the same punch.
• The core camera setup is starting to feel dated next to the Oppo Find X9 Pro (200 MP zoom, 1/1.56" sensor) and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (1-inch main sensor) — Samsung's mature processing is the only thing keeping it competitive.
• Side-by-side with a Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Xiaomi has more depth, better facial detail, and less oversharpening — Samsung is falling behind on absolute camera quality.
• The 5x telephoto uses a new periscope design with lenses on top of the prism instead of behind it, making the module smaller and the bokeh more pleasant — but extending the minimum focus distance to about 52 cm.
• The base S26 ships with essentially the same camera system Samsung has been using since 2023 — four generations, same sensors, just some sprinkled AI on top.
• The base S26 shot of a perfect gym photo looks balanced on its own, but next to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra it's obvious what Samsung's oversharpening is replacing — real detail on the face.
• Shots from the main sensor are noticeably brighter in low light and processing is sharper with better motion than last year — it's 'completely acceptable, but Samsung is due for some real hardware improvements.'

Samsung Galaxy S25

The 4000mAh battery delivers dependable all-day life thanks to Snapdragon 8 Elite efficiency, but 25W charging speed is well behind the competition.

• Battery life is dependable for a full day of moderate to heavy use
• 25W charging is adequate but embarrassingly slow compared to Chinese flagships offering 100W+

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The 5,000 mAh cell is unchanged for the sixth year in a row, but the efficient new chip + display extend real-world endurance a little further — Engadget measured 30h 3min of video playback, Mrwhosetheboss got through a 14+ hour battery test, while Trusted Reviews couldn't make it through a single heavy day at MWC. Wired charging jumps to 60W (0-75% in 30 minutes) and wireless to 25W via Qi 2.2, but there are still no built-in magnets.

• Local video rundown lasted 30 hours 3 minutes, only about half an hour longer than the S25 Ultra — but still beaten by the OnePlus 15 and 15R.
• Days with 5-7 hours of screen time and heavy cellular use leave the Ultra with at least 10-20% in the tank at bedtime — plenty for most users.
• At MWC using the phone for photos, maps and messaging, the S26 Ultra never once made it through a full day without a top-up from a power bank.
• 5,000 mAh isn't 'flagship' anymore — even Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max now has a bigger battery, and Samsung sells dirt-cheap phones with larger cells.
• It's disappointing that Samsung has yet to explore silicon-carbon batteries unlike its Chinese peers — happiness with day-long battery life doesn't change the hardware gap.
• Wired charging is now 60W (up from 45W) — delivering 50% in 19 minutes, 75% in 30 minutes, full charge in 53 minutes — plus 25W wireless via Qi 2.2.
• Samsung still skips internal magnets like those in Apple and Google devices — magnetic accessories interfere with the S Pen, but it would be nice to have the option while the pen is in its silo.
• Despite being rated at 60W, the S26 Ultra doesn't ship with a charging brick in the box — just a USB-C cable.
• Despite the unchanged battery size, the more efficient chip and display meant the S26 Ultra beat last year's Samsung, beat the iPhone and beat Xiaomi's top-end device while staying cool in thermals.
• Samsung's excuse for skipping Qi2 magnets — 'people use cases' — is transparent: if 98% of buyers use a case, just include a magnetic case in the box.