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Buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want its built-in Privacy Display, faster charging, and modest camera improvements; choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you can get the same storage configuration in comparable condition for substantially less. In the US, the S26 Ultra’s reported prices rose in October 2026, so compare current offers rather than assuming its launch price—or the S25’s launch price—is what you will pay today.
US prices: compare the same storage and condition
Tom’s Guide reported on October 1, 2026 that US Galaxy S26 Ultra prices had increased to $1,399 for 256GB, $1,599 for 512GB, and $1,999 for 1TB. The report described increases of $100 for the 256GB model and $200 for the larger configurations. These are dated US prices, not a guarantee of today’s price or pricing in other countries. Tom’s Guide reported price changes.
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For context, TechRadar lists US S25 Ultra launch prices of $1,299 for 256GB, $1,419 for 512GB, and $1,659 for 1TB. Those are launch figures, not current sale prices. TechRadar’s comparison also lists the S26 Ultra’s launch starting price as $1,299, but that is not the later October 2026 price.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →To decide whether the newer phone is worth the difference, check the live price for the same storage capacity and phone condition. For an S25, also verify the seller, warranty, and any trade-in or carrier-plan terms; a refurbished or used offer is not directly comparable to a new unlocked phone.
#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
What changes on the display?
Both phones have a 6.9-inch QHD+ display with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. Samsung lists 2,600 nits peak brightness for the S26 Ultra; TechRadar reports the same stated peak brightness and display resolution for both generations. TechRadar’s reviewer found the S26 slightly dimmer in practice, while describing the difference as small.
The S26 Ultra’s distinguishing display feature is its built-in Privacy Display, designed to make the screen harder to read from an angle. Samsung calls it the “world’s first mobile Privacy Display”—a manufacturer claim. It is the clearer reason to prefer the S26 if you often read messages or work with sensitive information in public. The feature does not change the S25’s screen size or make that phone’s display obsolete. Samsung’s official comparison describes the display features.
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
Are the S26 Ultra cameras meaningfully better?
The headline camera lineup remains the same on both phones: a 200MP main camera, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 12MP selfie camera. The S26’s main camera aperture widens from f/1.7 to f/1.4, and its 5x telephoto aperture from f/3.4 to f/2.9. Wider apertures can let in more light, which is most relevant for low-light photos.
Samsung claims the S26 main camera is 47% brighter and the 50MP telephoto is 37% brighter; these are Samsung’s figures, not independent measurements. TechRadar’s reviewer found the S26 a little clearer and cleaner in low light and at longer zoom ranges, but characterized the improvement as incremental rather than a major camera-system overhaul. The S26 also adds APV video codec support and horizontal-lock Super Steady, according to TechRadar. If your photos are mostly taken in good light and you do not need those video features, the S25’s matching resolution lineup remains capable on paper.
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
Battery life and charging
Both phones have a 5,000mAh battery. Samsung states up to 31 hours of video playback for each model; this is a manufacturer-stated figure, not an independently controlled head-to-head runtime result. The available comparisons do not establish that the S26 lasts longer in everyday use.
The S26 does have higher maximum charging specifications: up to 60W wired and 25W wireless, compared with up to 45W wired and 15W wireless for the S25, as listed by TechRadar. That makes the newer phone the stronger choice if faster charging matters, but the stated maximums do not by themselves establish how quickly every charger or charging session will perform.
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
Size, materials, and performance
Samsung says the S26 Ultra is 0.3mm thinner than the S25 Ultra. TechRadar lists the S26 at 7.9mm and 214g, versus 8.2mm and 218g for the S25, and notes more rounded corners on the newer model. It also identifies the S25’s frame as titanium and the S26’s as Armor Aluminum, so the newer phone is not simply a lighter version with the same frame material; hand feel and material preference may affect your choice.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11The S26 series uses a customized Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, a generational upgrade over the S25’s chip. TechRadar describes the S25 as a high-end performer; the available comparison does not establish a specific benchmark advantage or show that ordinary users need to upgrade for performance alone. Both phones remain premium devices with S Pen support and large, high-resolution screens.
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.
Which Galaxy Ultra should you buy?
Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if
- You want the built-in side-angle Privacy Display.
- You often shoot in low light or at longer zoom ranges and value the incremental camera improvements.
- You want the higher wired and wireless charging limits or the S26’s added video features.
- The current price difference for the same storage and condition is acceptable to you.
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if
- You find it substantially cheaper than a comparable S26 Ultra.
- You want the same broad camera-resolution lineup, 6.9-inch display size, stated battery capacity, and S Pen support without paying for the newer model’s additions.
- You prefer its titanium frame, or the S26’s specific upgrades do not matter to your use.
Samsung announced general availability for the Galaxy S26 series beginning March 11, 2026, after preorder availability through Samsung.com, Amazon Stores, Best Buy, Samsung Experience Stores, and carriers. That launch announcement does not establish current stock or today’s offers. Samsung’s launch announcement provides the release timing.
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.
