I've lived with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for a year, and here's my verdict on its successor, the S26 Ultra.
As Samsung gears up to unveil its flagship for 2026, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it's worth reflecting on the S25 Ultra's journey. Despite being an early 2025 release, it set the bar high for other flagships, including Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max. Having spent a significant amount of time with both, I'll share my insights on how the S25 Ultra fares against its rivals and what Samsung should focus on for the S26 Ultra.
Samsung vs. Apple: The Battle of the Titans
In my comparison of the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra, Apple's A19 Pro chip impressed with its battery life and performance. But the real surprise was the iPhone's camera prowess. While the S25 Ultra's quadruple camera system is versatile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max prioritizes quality. This was evident in a 200-photo shootout, where the iPhone's low-light performance outshone Samsung's best camera phone.
Samsung's Software and AI Edge
The S25 Ultra excels with its One UI 7 software and Galaxy AI features, offering a more comprehensive package than Apple's Intelligence. Additionally, it boosts productivity with Samsung DeX and multitasking capabilities. However, the debate rages on: is Samsung's AI truly superior, or is it just a matter of personal preference?
Predictions for the S26 Ultra
To surpass Apple's flagship, Samsung might introduce a faster f/1.4 aperture for the main camera, enhancing low-light performance. Rumors also hint at an upgraded 3x telephoto camera. I anticipate significant improvements with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but will these upgrades extend to models with the Exynos 2600?
Samsung vs. Google: AI Innovation
Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL focused on AI enhancements rather than hardware upgrades. While the S25 Ultra impressed with features like Cross App Actions and Now Brief, Google went further with Ask Photos, Pro Res Zoom, and Pixel Screenshots. These additions showcased Google's commitment to AI innovation, but is this enough to sway consumers from Samsung's established AI ecosystem?
Samsung's AI Strengths
The S25 Ultra's 200MP main camera outperformed the Pixel 10 Pro XL in a photo face-off. Despite Google's Android 16 desktop mode, Samsung DeX remains unmatched in productivity. But here's where it gets controversial: is Samsung's AI truly more advanced, or is it just a matter of marketing?
Looking Ahead to the S26 Ultra
The Galaxy S26 Ultra should embrace more AI features, especially in photo and video editing. Google has set a high bar with its intuitive and realistic AI editing tools. Samsung could take a similar approach, but with a unique twist.
OnePlus: A Sneak Peek at the Future
OnePlus released its flagship, the OnePlus 15, at the end of 2025, showcasing the power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It outperformed the S25 Ultra in almost every category, especially battery life, thanks to the chip and carbon-silicon battery tech. Despite OnePlus's AI improvements, the S25 Ultra still leads in AI-powered photo editing and generative AI tools like Portrait Studio and Sketch to Image.
The S26 Ultra's Potential
The OnePlus 15's performance and battery life are impressive, but the S26 Ultra might match it. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen's impact on battery life is promising, but will Samsung utilize carbon-silicone battery technology? Only time will tell if Samsung can maintain its AI lead while catching up in other areas.
What do you think? Is Samsung on the right track with its AI focus, or should it prioritize other aspects? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's spark a discussion!
