Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is clearly better than S25 Ultra in three key areas: performance, charging, and low-light photography.
The new model offers:
- more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
- brighter main camera f/1.4 (more light at night)
- faster 60 W charging (75% in 30 minutes)
- larger vapor chamber and better cooling
- new Privacy Display feature (private screen)
- thinner and lighter body
At the same time, the screen, battery (5000 mAh), and most AI capabilities remain very similar to its predecessor.
Appearance, dimensions, and build quality
Comparison of Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Galaxy S25 Ultra construction
| Specyfikacja | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Wymiary | 163,6 × 78,1 × 7,9 mm | 162,8 × 77,6 × 8,2 mm |
| Waga | 214 g | 218 g |
| Ramka | Armor Aluminium | Tytan |
| Szkło przód | Corning Gorilla Armor 2 | Corning Gorilla Armor |
| Szkło tył | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Odporność | IP68 | IP68 |
| Port | USB-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort 1.4 | USB-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort 1.4 |
Co realnie zmieniło się w konstrukcji?
Na pierwszy rzut oka oba modele są niemal identyczne. Układ aparatów, bryła, proporcje – Samsung nie wprowadził rewolucji wizualnej. Różnice są subtelne i widać je dopiero po zestawieniu specyfikacji.
Galaxy S26 Ultra jest cieńszy (7,9 mm vs 8,2 mm) i lżejszy (214 g vs 218 g).
To sprawia, że jest najbardziej smukłym modelem Ultra w historii serii. Różnica 0,3 mm może wydawać się symboliczna, ale przy tak dużym urządzeniu wpływa na komfort chwytu.
The change that sparks the most discussion is the abandonment of the titanium frame. The Galaxy S25 Ultra used titanium, while the S26 Ultra features Armor Aluminium. In practice, both materials provide very high structural rigidity, but titanium was a distinguishing element of its predecessor. The new model does not feel less solid, but it is a noticeable change in premium communication.
At the front, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is protected by Gorilla Armor 2, which is the newer generation of protective glass. The back in both cases is Gorilla Glass Victus 2. This means very high resistance to scratches and drops in both devices.
The IP68 certification remains unchanged — both smartphones are resistant to dust and immersion in water.
The slimmer design and glass back make it worth taking care of the case protection as well. Case for Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra helps protect the frame and camera from scratches and cushions falls – especially with such a large and heavy smartphone.
Screen – similar parameters, but S26 Ultra adds “smart” enhancements
Display comparison
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Przekątna | 6,9″ | 6,9″ |
| Typ | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Rozdzielczość | 3120 × 1440 px | 3120 × 1440 px |
| Odświeżanie | adaptacyjne 1–120 Hz | adaptacyjne 1–120 Hz |
| Jasność maksymalna | 2600 nitów | 2600 nitów |
Co to oznacza w praktyce?
Jeśli patrzymy wyłącznie na liczby, ekran jest „taki sam”: identyczna przekątna, rozdzielczość, jasność i odświeżanie. To ważne, bo S25 Ultra już był w absolutnej topce i Samsung nie musiał tu na siłę podbijać specyfikacji.
Różnice w S26 Ultra pojawiają się dopiero wtedy, gdy wejdziemy w to, jak telefon przetwarza obraz.
Nowy silnik mDNIe i ProScaler – po co to, skoro parametry są takie same?
W Galaxy S26 Ultra Samsung dorzuca nowe elementy „pod maską”:
- mDNIe (Digital Natural Image) – nowy silnik przetwarzania obrazu, który ma poprawiać precyzję głębi kolorów i gradacje (czyli przejścia tonalne, cienie, półcienie, delikatne różnice w barwach). W skrócie: obraz ma wyglądać bardziej „gładko” i naturalnie, bez efektu sztuczności w trudnych scenach.
- ProScaler – uses AI to enhance sharpness and readability of details, especially when the source has lower quality (e.g. lower resolution video, streaming, reels, heavily compressed content).
These are not “wow on paper” changes, but in everyday use they can provide a subtly better impression of image quality: sharper contours in video, less “flat” colors, better transitions in shadows.
Privacy Display – the biggest difference in the screen (and realistically practical)
Here we enter a feature that truly distinguishes the S26 Ultra from the S25 Ultra: Privacy Display.
This is a privacy mode that:
- limits screen readability from the side angle, so people next to you see less,
- can work for the entire screen or only for selected elements (e.g. apps, notifications, password/PIN fields),
- is particularly useful in public places (transportation, queues, open spaces).
Important detail: when you enable private mode, the image from «your» angle may look different (this is normal), and depending on the conditions (brightness, angle, environment), some information may still be visible to some extent — this is not an «invisibility cloak,» just a limitation of the view.
With such a large, 6.9-inch display, it’s worth considering additional protection. Tempered glass for Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a small cost compared to potential repairs 🔒📱
Cameras – does brighter optics make a real difference?
Camera specifications comparison
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 200 MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3”, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS | 200 MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3”, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP, f/1.9, 120° | 50 MP, f/1.9, 120° |
| Tele 3x | 10 MP, f/2.4, OIS | 10 MP, f/2.4, OIS |
| Tele 5x | 50 MP, f/2.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/3.4, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K 30 fps, 4K 120 fps | 8K 30 fps, 4K 120 fps |
What has changed in practice?
On paper, the arrangement of the cameras looks almost identical, but the key differences lie in the optics.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has received a brighter main lens (f/1.4 instead of f/1.7).
This means that more light reaches the sensor, which translates to:
- better night photos,
- shorter exposure time,
- lower risk of motion blur,
- more natural colors in difficult conditions.
The difference is particularly noticeable after dark.
The second important change concerns the 5x telephoto lens.
In the S26 Ultra, it has an aperture of f/2.8 instead of f/3.4, which also improves photo quality in low light and provides slightly better background blur.
AI and photo editing
Both models offer advanced Galaxy AI features, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces the ability to edit photos using text commands. You can describe the effect you want to achieve, and the system will adjust the parameters automatically.
To bardziej ewolucja niż rewolucja, ale dla osób często edytujących zdjęcia może być to realna przewaga.
Wydajność i chłodzenie – nowy Snapdragon robi różnicę
Porównanie procesora
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Procesor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| Rdzenie wydajnościowe | 2 × 4.74 GHz Oryon V3 | 2 × 4.47 GHz Oryon V2 |
| Rdzenie efektywne | 6 × 3.62 GHz | 6 × 3.53 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 840 | Adreno 830 |
| Wzrost wydajności | +19% CPU, +24% GPU, +39% NPU | — |
Co oznacza Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 w praktyce?
Galaxy S26 Ultra jako jedyny model w serii otrzymał Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 dla Galaxy – obecnie najmocniejszy układ w ofercie Qualcomm.
Samsung deklaruje:
- do 19% szybsze działanie CPU,
- do 24% lepszą wydajność GPU,
- up to 39% increase in AI unit power (NPU).
In everyday use, this translates to:
- faster app switching,
- more stable performance with many open programs,
- better fluidity in games,
- more efficient operation of Galaxy AI features.
The difference won’t be dramatic when browsing the internet, but in gaming, video editing, or intensive multitasking – it will be.
Cooling – larger vapor chamber
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has received a new vapor chamber design.
Samsung reports a thermal performance improvement of about 21%.
In practice, this means:
- longer maintenance of maximum performance,
- fewer throttling drops in games,
- more stable performance when recording in 8K.
This is particularly important when utilizing the power of the new processor – without proper cooling, even the best chip won’t show its full potential.
System i aktualizacje
Galaxy S26 Ultra startuje z Androidem 16 i One UI 8.5.
Galaxy S25 Ultra pracuje na Androidzie 15, ale otrzyma aktualizację do Androida 16.
Oba modele mają:
- wsparcie Galaxy AI,
- długie wsparcie aktualizacyjne (wieloletnie poprawki bezpieczeństwa i systemu).
Różnice w funkcjach AI z czasem mogą się zacierać, ponieważ starszy model również dostaje nowe narzędzia w aktualizacjach.
Bateria i ładowanie – tu różnica jest najbardziej odczuwalna
Porównanie baterii i mocy ładowania
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 60 W | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 15 W |
| Reverse charging | 4.5 W | 4.5 W |
| 30 minutes of charging | up to ~75% | about ~69% |
The same battery, but different speed
In terms of capacity, the batteries are identical – both models have 5000 mAh, so the actual runtime on a single charge will be similar.
However, the differences are clear in the charging methods:
Galaxy S26 Ultra supports fast wired charging at 60 W – this means that in about 30 minutes you can reach even ~75% of the battery.
Galaxy S25 Ultra charges at 45 W – in a similar time, the charging reaches about ~69%.
Wireless charging is also faster – S26 Ultra supports up to 25 W, while S25 Ultra offers 15 W.
This translates to:
- shorter sessions under the charger,
- faster charging «here and now»,
- more flexible use of wireless chargers.
Although the battery capacity has not changed, S26 Ultra has a clear advantage in terms of charging speed, both wired and wireless.
Prices and profitability – does the price difference make sense?
Market price comparison
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| 12/256 GB | 6499 zł | 5349 zł |
| 12/512 GB | 7399 zł | 5799 zł |
| 12/1 TB | 8699 zł | 6598 zł |
💡 Samsung promotion (until March 10):
🔹 Galaxy S26 Ultra 512 GB quickly on promotion costs about 6499 zł
🔹 Galaxy S26 Ultra 1 TB about 7799 zł
(effectively this is a reduction of ~900 zł from the list price)
Price vs value
The new Galaxy S26 Ultra is not cheap — this is natural for a top Ultra model. However, it has several areas where it significantly surpasses its predecessor:
✔️ new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
✔️ brighter main and 5x telephoto camera
✔️ faster charging (60 W / 25 W wirelessly)
✔️ thinner and lighter design
✔️ Privacy Display and new AI features
At the same time, the S25 Ultra still offers:
✔️ excellent cameras
✔️ very large 5000 mAh battery
✔️ top-notch display
✔️ stable performance and long updates
When is the S26 Ultra worth it?
if you care about:
- the best possible performance in the Galaxy series,
- faster charging,
- better camera in low light conditions,
- new AI features and screen privacy
During promotions, the price difference is smaller and it is easier to justify purchasing the new generation.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about Galaxy S26 Ultra
Is it worth switching from Galaxy S25 Ultra to Galaxy S26 Ultra?
If you care about faster loading, better performance, and a brighter camera for night photos — yes. However, if the S25 Ultra still runs smoothly and the price difference is significant, a change is not necessary.
Does the Galaxy S26 Ultra have a better camera than the S25 Ultra?
Yes, but the difference mainly concerns low-light performance. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a brighter aperture (f/1.4 vs f/1.7) and a better 5x telephoto lens (f/2.8 vs f/3.4), which improves the quality of night photos and close-ups.
Is the battery in the Galaxy S26 Ultra larger?
No. Both models have a 5000 mAh battery. The difference lies in the faster charging in the S26 Ultra (60 W wired and 25 W wireless).
What is Privacy Display in the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
It is a feature that limits screen visibility at side angles. It protects sensitive data, such as banking apps or messages, from being viewed in public places.
How much does the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cost?
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 12/256 GB — ok. 6499 zł
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 12/512 GB — ok. 7399 zł
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 12/1 TB — ok. 8699 zł
What colors does the Galaxy S26 Ultra come in?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is available in four basic color versions: purple, light blue, black, and white. Additionally, Samsung offers two special variants – silver and gold – which can only be purchased through the manufacturer’s official sales.
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