Samsung has launched three new models in its S26 series during the first Galaxy Unpacked event of the year: S26, S26 Plus, and the high-end S26 Ultra. The S26 Ultra maintains Samsung’s legacy of Ultra devices by offering premium features that are not available in other models of the series. Notably, this year’s standout feature is the Privacy Display, which allows users to adjust their phone’s visibility to nearby observers.
Beyond that, enhancements in the S26 Ultra are somewhat incremental. It boasts an aluminum frame, a slightly larger screen, an option for 16GB RAM, an upgraded processor, and quicker charging rates, but many features echo those of the S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra. The price remains unchanged at $1,300.
Comparison Overview
The following sections examine how the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra stacks up against the S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra.
Design and Display
The S26 Ultra features a marginally larger screen than both the S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra, with a 6.9-inch AMOLED display at a resolution of 3,120 by 1,440 pixels, compared to the 6.8-inch screens of its predecessors. All models share a 1 to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
The impressive pixel-level Privacy Display on the S26 Ultra allows users to view content directly while obscuring it from side views. Users can activate this feature for specific apps or notifications, enhancing privacy.
Camera Features
While the S26 Ultra is equipped with superior camera hardware, it retains the same specifications as the previous models—with a 200-megapixel wide camera, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 10-megapixel 3x and 50-megapixel 5x telephoto camera. Improved apertures assist in low-light photography. Software upgrades enhance features for selfies and video stability.
Battery, Processor, and RAM
All three models come with a 5,000 mAh battery, but the charging capabilities differ. The S26 Ultra offers 60W wired and 25W wireless charging, outperforming the 45W wired and 15W wireless options of the earlier models. The processors have also evolved with each generation, with the latest embedded in the S26 Ultra being the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, while the earlier versions utilize the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
The S26 Ultra uniquely supports a 16GB RAM option for its 512GB and 1TB storage variants, while both the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra are limited to 12GB RAM. For a comprehensive comparison, refer to the table below.
Comparison Table
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size, Tech, Resolution, Refresh Rate | 6.9-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Pixel Density | 500 ppi | 501 ppi | 501 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.44×3.07×0.31 | 6.41×3.06×0.32 | 6.40×3.11×0.34 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| US Price Starts At | $1,300 (256GB) | $1,300 (256GB) | $1,300 (256GB) |
