Samsung · Reviewed by SuperSaf · Published 2026-03-03
Based on a review by SuperSaf (accessed 2026-03-03).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about refreshed 'ambient island' camera design — just accept switched from a titanium to an aluminum frame (material downgrade).
The reviewer concludes that while the S25 Ultra still has good cameras and performance for day-to-day use, the S26 Ultra brings several notable improvements, particularly in camera capabilities, a unique privacy display feature, and enhanced AI functionalities, making it a worthy upgrade for those seeking the latest advancements.
This video provides a comprehensive head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The reviewer examines various aspects including build, design, display, cameras, performance, software, AI features, S Pen, speakers, connectivity, and battery life.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers significant upgrades over its predecessor, making it a compelling option for those seeking the latest flagship smartphone technology. Its unique privacy display feature allows for customizable screen privacy at a pixel level, though it slightly reduces brightness and resolution when fully active. Camera improvements, particularly in low light with wider apertures on the primary and 5x telephoto lenses, consistently produce sharper images with better dynamic range compared to the S25 Ultra. However, the S26 Ultra's shift from a titanium to an aluminum frame is a material downgrade, which might not be ideal for some users. If you prioritize cutting-edge camera performance, advanced AI features, and unique privacy technology, this device is worth the investment. Conversely, if you already own the S25 Ultra, the changes might be too incremental to justify the cost for typical daily usage.
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visual_inspectionneutralt=0:14–0:30
The S25 Ultra has thicker camera rings, while the S26 Ultra features an 'ambient island' design, similar to the Z Fold 7. The S26 Ultra also has slightly more curved corners for a unified look.
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The S26 Ultra is slightly wider and taller than the S25 Ultra, but also 0.3mm thinner and 4g lighter. The reviewer admits they are so similar that it's hard to tell them apart with a case on.
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The S25 Ultra features a titanium frame, while the S26 Ultra has downgraded to an aluminum frame. The reviewer notes that titanium is generally considered a more premium metal.
hands_on_demopositivet=2:13–3:07
The S26 Ultra introduces the world's first privacy display, which limits the viewing angle similar to a screen protector but is customizable. It can be switched on/off, automated for apps, or applied only to notifications. However, it lowers brightness and resolution when active.
specification_claimpositivet=3:46–4:07
The S26 Ultra's primary camera has a wider F1.4 aperture (from F1.7 on S25 Ultra), and the 5x telephoto camera has an F2.9 aperture (from F3.4 on S25 Ultra).
comparisonpositivet=4:07–4:28
In good light, both devices take good photos, but the S26 Ultra consistently produced brighter images with better dynamic range from the primary camera.
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In low light, the S26 Ultra's primary camera produced sharper images with less noise. For the telephoto camera, the S26 Ultra showed significantly sharper and cleaner images with much less noise.
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Despite no hardware difference, the S26 Ultra's ultrawide camera performs much better than the S25 Ultra in low light, likely due to a new image signal processor.
hands_on_demopositivet=5:40–6:33
The S26 Ultra offers 24MP shooting, LUT preview for log footage, new APV video for almost lossless quality, and a unique horizontal lock feature providing 'crazy stabilization'.
hands_on_demopositivet=6:33–6:54
Portrait video is improved on the S26 Ultra, allowing users to change the point of focus and the amount of background blur after recording, a feature previously seen on iPhones.
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The S26 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (S25 Ultra had Gen 2). It also has an expanded vapor chamber that dissipates over 21% more heat.
hands_on_demopositivet=8:38–9:59
The S26 Ultra introduces new AI features like call screening, improved photo assist (editing with prompts, combining images), Creative Studio, enhanced Audio Eraser, Nudge (contextual actions), and integrated Perplexity as a default AI assistant.
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Both devices have an S Pen with similar functionality. The S26 Ultra's S Pen is slightly more compact with a curved top to match the phone's corners, but neither has built-in Bluetooth.
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The S26 Ultra features Bluetooth 6.0, an upgrade from the S25 Ultra's Bluetooth 5.4, promising faster data transfer, extended range, and improved power efficiency.
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Both the S26 Ultra and S25 Ultra have the exact same battery size of 5,000 mAh. The reviewer notes this was a point of hope for an upgrade that did not materialize.
The S26 Ultra's design is largely incremental, with an 'ambient island' camera module and slightly more curved corners being the most notable aesthetic changes. Its size and weight are also very close to the S25 Ultra, to the point where the reviewer found it hard to distinguish them when both were cased.
The S26 Ultra's primary and 5x telephoto cameras feature wider apertures (F1.4 and F2.9 respectively), leading to brighter images with better dynamic range in good light. In low light, all cameras (primary, telephoto, ultrawide) produce sharper images with less noise. New video features include 24MP shooting, LUT preview, APV video for lossless quality, a unique 'horizontal lock' stabilization, and improved portrait video editing post-capture.
The S26 Ultra includes an innovative privacy display that functions like a digital privacy screen protector, limiting the viewing angle to protect screen content from onlookers. It is highly customizable, allowing users to activate it for specific apps, notifications, or on demand. However, the reviewer notes that using this feature can slightly reduce the display's brightness and resolution.
The S26 Ultra is powered by the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, an upgrade from the Gen 2 in the S25 Ultra. Additionally, it features an expanded vapor chamber that dissipates over 21% more heat, contributing to better overall and sustained performance compared to its predecessor, though the S25 Ultra still performs well in day-to-day use.
The S26 Ultra comes with new AI features like call screening for calls, improved Photo Assist for complex image edits and combining, a Creative Studio for custom creations, an enhanced Audio Eraser that works across various apps like YouTube, 'Nudge' for contextual on-screen actions, and integrated Perplexity as a default AI assistant. Some of these features may or may not come to the S25 Ultra later via updates.
The S26 Ultra's S Pen is slightly more compact with a curved top, but its functionality is essentially the same as the S25 Ultra's, and neither includes Bluetooth capabilities. Disappointingly, both the S26 Ultra and S25 Ultra feature the same 5,000 mAh battery, meaning no upgrade in battery size for the new model.
75/100 source quality
SuperSaf compares the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and S25 Ultra, highlighting key differences and improvements. The S26 Ultra features a new ambient island camera design, an aluminum frame (downgrade from titanium), and introduces the world's first customizable privacy display. Camera performance is significantly enhanced, especially in low light, with wider apertures, new video formats, and advanced stabilization. Performance receives an upgrade with a new chipset and an expanded vapor chamber, while new Galaxy AI features like call screening and improved photo editing are introduced. Connectivity is updated with Bluetooth 6.0, though battery capacity remains the same.
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This page converts SuperSaf's review of the Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
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