Comparison · Phones · Desk research
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Quick Answer
US Galaxy S26 Ultra and US Galaxy S25 Ultra are consecutive Samsung Ultras, not iPhone pairs. S26 Ultra (samsung.com/us/smartphones/galaxy-s26-ultra/): 6.9-inch Privacy Display, 7.9mm, 214g, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, 200MP Wide F1.4, 50MP Ultra Wide F1.9, 50MP Tele F2.9 (Samsung FAQ: 5x optical and 10x optical-quality zoom), built-in S Pen, 5000 mAh typical, up to 31 hours video, Super Fast Charging 3.0 60W (~75% in around 30 min), 12GB RAM on 256/512GB or 16GB on 1TB, Armor Aluminum.
The verdict
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — quote the two manufacturer sheets.
Why: Two-year? No — one-generation US Ultra hop. Both are 6.9-inch S Pen Ultras with 200MP-class Wide, 5000 mAh typical, and up to 31 hours video on the US pages we cite. S26 Ultra (samsung.com/us, accessed 19 September 2026) is Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, Privacy Display (FAQ also names Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 2600 nits peak), 200MP Wide F1.4 + 50MP UW F1.9 + 50MP Tele F2.9, 12GB RAM (256/512GB) or 16GB (1TB), Super Fast Charging 3.0 60W, Armor Aluminum + Gorilla Armor 2, One UI 8.5. S25 Ultra is Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, 200MP Wide + 50MP UW, titanium frame, Gorilla Armor 2, One UI 7. US S25 marketing excerpt does not print resolution or RAM — those S25 cells stay unmarked.
Buy Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if
You want the current US Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, Privacy Display, published 12GB/16GB, and One UI 8.5.
Buy Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if
You can date a leftover S25 Ultra and S Pen + 6.9-inch + 5000 mAh / 31-hour video still match how you work.
Spec comparison
Both columns from the cited Samsung US marketing pages. Cells those excerpts do not print stay marked.
| Spec | US S26 Ultra | US S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch Privacy Display; FAQ names Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 2600 nits peak | 6.9-inch. Resolution / Hz Not published on the US excerpt |
| Chip (US) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| RAM | 12GB (256/512GB) or 16GB (1TB) | Not published on the US excerpt |
| Battery | 5000 mAh typical; up to 31 hours video | 5000 mAh; up to 31 hours video |
| Charge (OEM) | Super Fast Charging 3.0 60W; ~75% in around 30 min | Not published as a numbered 60W row on the excerpt we cite |
| Cameras | 200MP Wide F1.4 + 50MP UW F1.9 + 50MP Tele F2.9; 5x optical / 10x optical-quality (FAQ) | 200MP Wide-Angle + 50MP Ultra Wide. Tele / zoom numerals Not published on the excerpt |
| S Pen | Built-in | Built-in |
| Frame / glass | Armor Aluminum + Gorilla Armor 2 / Victus 2 | Titanium frame; Gorilla Armor 2 |
| IP | Not invented here if the excerpt is silent — confirm live page | IP68 on the US page |
| OS | One UI 8.5 | One UI 7 |
| Size / weight | 7.9mm; 214g | Not published as a full mm/g row on the excerpt |
Frequently asked questions
Did the video-hour claim jump?
Not on the US pages we cite. Both list up to 31 hours of video playback and a 5000 mAh typical battery.
Does S25 Ultra publish RAM on the US marketing page?
Not in the excerpt accessed 19 September 2026. S26 Ultra does: 12GB (256/512GB) or 16GB (1TB). Do not invent an S25 number.