Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: Is it worth the upgrade?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is officially here, and on paper it may look like a modest refresh over last year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. But once you dig into the details, from AI upgrades to faster charging and a new privacy display, the differences start to stack up.So, is the Galaxy S26 Ultra worth upgrading to in 2026? Let’s break it down.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.Price in the UAEThe Galaxy S25 Ultra launched on February 7, 2025, starting at Dh5,099 for 256GB and going up to Dh6,599 for 1TB. Fast forward to today, and you can find it for as low as Dh3,649 on Samsung’s UAE website, making it one of the best-value flagship Android phones right now.The Galaxy S26 Ultra, meanwhile, starts at Dh5,099 for 256GB and climbs to Dh7,099 for the new 16GB RAM + 1TB configuration.If price is your top priority, the S25 Ultra is clearly the better deal.Design & displayBoth phones feature the same massive 6.9-inch, 120Hz QHD+ (3,120 x 1,440) display. The S26 Ultra is slightly thinner and lighter, with more curved corners for a refined look. Samsung has swapped titanium for Armour Aluminium this year, while Gorilla Glass Armour 2 remains.The big upgrade? Privacy Display. With a quick toggle in Settings, the S26 Ultra can obscure your screen from side angles, ideal for commuters or anyone handling sensitive data. You can even customise it per app or blur specific areas like notifications.Samsung has also improved ProScaler tech and added a new anti-reflective coating, promising sharper visuals, richer detail and reduced glare.PerformanceUnder the hood, the S26 Ultra runs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, an upgrade over the Gen 4 chip in the S25 Ultra. Expect improved AI processing, faster performance and better efficiency.The 1TB S26 Ultra model now also includes 16GB RAM, giving power users extra headroom for gaming, multitasking and AI-heavy tasks.CamerasResolution and zoom specs remain the same, but Samsung has widened the main camera aperture from f/1.7 to f/1.4. That means more light, brighter images and stronger low-light performance.Samsung claims photos are up to 47 per cent brighter on the main lens and 37 per cent brighter on the 50MP telephoto. Low-light video should also see reduced noise.Enhanced Nightography in the S26 Ultra ensures clear filming even in low-light settingsThe 12MP selfie camera now gets enhanced AI image processing and object-aware optimisation, while a new horizontal lock feature keeps your framing steady.Battery & chargingBattery capacity remains 5,000mAh on both devices. However, the S26 Ultra introduces 60W wired charging, restoring 75 per cent in 30 minutes (claimed), compared to 45W on the S25 Ultra. Wireless charging also jumps from 15W to 25W via Qi 2.2 (though still no built-in magnetic ring).Galaxy AIThis may be the biggest leap. The S26 Ultra transforms Bixby into a more capable AI agent and integrates deeper Google Gemini-powered automated app actions. You can ask your phone to book rides, order food or manage tasks across apps.New tools include:Now Nudge (proactive on-screen suggestions)Advanced Circle to SearchAI-powered Photo AssistCall ScreenAI document scanning with auto-organisationIf you value AI productivity tools, this is a meaningful upgrade.Should you upgrade?Upgrade to the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want cutting-edge AI features, privacy display matters to you, faster 60W charging is important, and you want stronger low-light photography. Stick with (or buy) the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want flagship performance for under Dh4,000, AI upgrades aren’t essential, and you’re happy with your current device.Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold sells out in UAE: What's the next phone to watch out for?Samsung Galaxy S26 series set for February 25 debut: Here’s everything we expect at Unpacked 2026
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is officially here, and on paper it may look like a modest refresh over last year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.
But once you dig into the details, from AI upgrades to faster charging and a new privacy display, the differences start to stack up.
So, is the Galaxy S26 Ultra worth upgrading to in 2026? Let’s break it down.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Price in the UAE
The Galaxy S25 Ultra launched on February 7, 2025, starting at Dh5,099 for 256GB and going up to Dh6,599 for 1TB. Fast forward to today, and you can find it for as low as Dh3,649 on Samsung’s UAE website, making it one of the best-value flagship Android phones right now.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, meanwhile, starts at Dh5,099 for 256GB and climbs to Dh7,099 for the new 16GB RAM + 1TB configuration.
If price is your top priority, the S25 Ultra is clearly the better deal.
Design & display
Both phones feature the same massive 6.9-inch, 120Hz QHD+ (3,120 x 1,440) display. The S26 Ultra is slightly thinner and lighter, with more curved corners for a refined look.
Samsung has swapped titanium for Armour Aluminium this year, while Gorilla Glass Armour 2 remains.
The big upgrade? Privacy Display. 
With a quick toggle in Settings, the S26 Ultra can obscure your screen from side angles, ideal for commuters or anyone handling sensitive data. You can even customise it per app or blur specific areas like notifications.
Samsung has also improved ProScaler tech and added a new anti-reflective coating, promising sharper visuals, richer detail and reduced glare.
Performance
Under the hood, the S26 Ultra runs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, an upgrade over the Gen 4 chip in the S25 Ultra. Expect improved AI processing, faster performance and better efficiency.
The 1TB S26 Ultra model now also includes 16GB RAM, giving power users extra headroom for gaming, multitasking and AI-heavy tasks.
Cameras
Resolution and zoom specs remain the same, but Samsung has widened the main camera aperture from f/1.7 to f/1.4. That means more light, brighter images and stronger low-light performance.
Samsung claims photos are up to 47 per cent brighter on the main lens and 37 per cent brighter on the 50MP telephoto. Low-light video should also see reduced noise. Enhanced Nightography in the S26 Ultra ensures clear filming even in low-light settings
The 12MP selfie camera now gets enhanced AI image processing and object-aware optimisation, while a new horizontal lock feature keeps your framing steady.
Battery & charging
Battery capacity remains 5,000mAh on both devices. However, the S26 Ultra introduces 60W wired charging, restoring 75 per cent in 30 minutes (claimed), compared to 45W on the S25 Ultra.
Wireless charging also jumps from 15W to 25W via Qi 2.2 (though still no built-in magnetic ring).
Galaxy AI
This may be the biggest leap. The S26 Ultra transforms Bixby into a more capable AI agent and integrates deeper Google Gemini-powered automated app actions. You can ask your phone to book rides, order food or manage tasks across apps.
New tools include:
Now Nudge (proactive on-screen suggestions)
Advanced Circle to Search
AI-powered Photo Assist
Call Screen
AI document scanning with auto-organisation
If you value AI productivity tools, this is a meaningful upgrade.
Should you upgrade?
Upgrade to the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want cutting-edge AI features, privacy display matters to you, faster 60W charging is important, and you want stronger low-light photography.
Stick with (or buy) the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want flagship performance for under Dh4,000, AI upgrades aren’t essential, and you’re happy with your current device.
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