Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Galaxy S26 Ultra is the more capable, larger phone, with a second telephoto camera, S Pen support and a built-in Privacy Display. The Galaxy S25+ is lighter and was listed at a lower US MSRP. In Samsung’s March 2026 price sheet, the 256 GB models differed by $300; that is a dated list-price comparison, not a quote for what either phone costs today.
Galaxy S25+ vs. Galaxy S26 Ultra: specifications
| Specification | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz | 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, adaptive 1–120 Hz; Samsung lists a 2,600-nit peak brightness |
| Dimensions | 75.8 × 158.4 × 7.3 mm | 78.1 × 163.6 × 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 190 g | 214 g |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, 10 MP telephoto with 3× optical zoom | 200 MP wide, 50 MP ultrawide, 10 MP 3× telephoto and 50 MP 5× telephoto |
| Zoom | 3× optical telephoto | 3× and 5× optical; 2× and 10× optical-quality; up to 100× digital |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Memory and storage | 12 GB RAM; 256 GB or 512 GB storage | 12 GB RAM with 256 GB or 512 GB, or 16 GB RAM with 1 TB; availability may vary |
| Typical battery capacity | 4,900 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Software support | Samsung’s S25 specification sheet says seven years of OS and security updates | Samsung says seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the global launch |
| Distinctive features | Plus-tier flagship; no S Pen support listed for this model | S Pen support and built-in Privacy Display |
Samsung notes that its screen measurements distinguish the full rectangle from the viewable area around rounded corners. The Ultra’s listed peak brightness is a manufacturer specification, not a guarantee of the brightness you will see in every setting.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What the listed US prices show
Samsung Electronics America’s US HHP MSRP sheet effective March 2026 lists the following unlocked configurations. Samsung says prices may change without notice.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| Storage | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 256 GB | $999.99 | $1,299.99 | $300 |
| 512 GB | $1,119.99 | $1,499.99 | $380 |
These are dated US MSRP references, not current October 2026 retail prices. Check the exact storage, unlocked or carrier status, stock, trade-in terms and final price before buying. Samsung’s February 25, 2026 launch announcement also listed the S26 Ultra at a US starting price of $1,299.99. Prices in other countries use different currencies and launch pricing; the US figures should not be applied elsewhere.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
How the cameras differ
The S25+ has a straightforward three-camera setup
Its rear array pairs a 50 MP main camera and a 12 MP ultrawide with one 10 MP telephoto camera offering 3× optical zoom. That covers a useful range, but there is no second, longer optical telephoto in the listed system.
The S26 Ultra adds a longer optical option
The Ultra combines a 200 MP wide camera and a 50 MP ultrawide with two telephoto cameras: a 10 MP 3× and a 50 MP 5×. Samsung also describes 2× and 10× as optical-quality zoom and lists digital zoom up to 100×. Those categories are not interchangeable: the 5× figure is optical zoom, optical-quality zoom is a separate manufacturer designation, and 100× is digital.
Rank #2
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
The extra 5× optical camera is the clearest hardware advantage if you often photograph distant subjects. The specifications alone do not establish which phone takes better photos in every lighting or motion condition.
Size, weight and the screen trade-off
The S26 Ultra’s display is 0.2 inches larger diagonally, and the phone is wider, taller and thicker in Samsung’s listed dimensions. At 214 g, it is 24 g heavier than the 190 g S25+. That difference matters if you prefer a phone that is easier to carry or hold one-handed; the Ultra’s larger screen can suit reading, video and work where extra display area is useful.
Rank #3
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
The S26 Ultra supports adaptive refresh rates from 1 to 120 Hz, while Samsung lists the S25+ at 120 Hz. That specification describes display refresh behavior, not a guarantee of longer battery life.
When the Ultra-only features are worth paying for
S Pen support
The S26 Ultra supports Samsung’s S Pen, making it the choice between these two for handwriting or pen-based interaction. Samsung’s S25+ specifications do not list S Pen support.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Built-in Privacy Display
The S26 Ultra includes a Privacy Display, which can be useful when viewing the screen around other people. It is a hardware distinction to weigh if shared-space privacy matters to you; it does not change the S25+ comparison into a question of camera or processor performance.
What the performance and battery figures do—and don’t—tell you
The S26 Ultra has the newer named processor platform, but the manufacturer specifications here do not provide a controlled, direct performance test against the S25+. Samsung’s reported CPU, NPU and GPU improvement figures compare the S26 Ultra with the S25 Ultra, not the S25+, so they cannot establish the size of a performance gap between these two phones.
Best Value
- 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, up to ~1750 nits brightness, HDR10+ support, and ultra-smooth responsiveness for gaming and scrolling.
The listed typical battery capacities are 4,900 mAh for the S25+ and 5,000 mAh for the S26 Ultra. Capacity alone does not determine real-world endurance, and the available specifications do not provide controlled battery-life results for this pair. Samsung says the S26 Ultra can reach up to 75% charge in around 30 minutes with compatible charging equipment; that is a manufacturer claim, not an independent test result.
Software support and buying decision
Samsung’s S25 specification sheet states seven years of OS and security updates. For the S26 series, Samsung states seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the global launch. These statements do not by themselves establish exact support end dates, so avoid treating them as calendar deadlines.
Choose the Galaxy S25+ if
- You want a lighter, slightly smaller phone.
- The single 3× optical telephoto camera meets your needs.
- You do not need S Pen support or the Ultra’s built-in Privacy Display.
- The S25+ is meaningfully cheaper than the S26 Ultra at the live price for the storage configuration you want.
Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if
- You want the larger 6.9-inch screen and are comfortable with a 214 g handset.
- You will use the 5× optical telephoto camera, S Pen support or Privacy Display.
- You want the newer named processor platform, while recognizing there is no controlled head-to-head performance result established here.
- The added features justify the current price difference for your use.
For a fair purchase comparison, match storage and region, then compare the live final prices rather than relying on launch or MSRP figures. Also check local model availability: Samsung cautions that phone models and specifications can vary by country.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
