Are the Samsung S25 Ultra and S26 Ultra being overhyped?
The Galaxy S Ultra line is facing accusations of "hype" as the S26 Ultra only offers safe refinements compared to the S25 Ultra, yet the price difference is quite significant.
For many years, the Galaxy S Ultra series has been considered a technological icon of Samsung. However, when comparing the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra, users wonder whether these upgrades truly live up to the title of "ultimate flagship" or are merely familiar "refresh" improvements.
From a design perspective,Galaxy S26 UltraIt's not a revolution. Samsung remains true to its minimalist philosophy with a flat bezel, a camera module positioned to the left, and its characteristic square overall design. However, the change lies in the details, and it's this that has sparked debate.
The switch from the titanium frame on the S25 Ultra to the aluminum armor on the S26 Ultra was a divisive decision. For many, titanium offered a premium feel, durability, and value for money. But on the other hand, aluminum made the device lighter and more user-friendly for long-term use.
In reality, the S26 Ultra is thinner (7.9 mm compared to 8.2 mm) and lighter (214 grams compared to 218 grams). The difference isn't huge, but it's enough to create a noticeable difference in feel when held, which is a plus for the average user. However, for high-end users, the reduction in premium materials could be seen as a step backward.
Both devices feature a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, supporting a resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a maximum brightness of 2600 nits. These remain among the best displays on the market. A new feature on the S26 Ultra is its Display Privacy technology, which restricts viewing angles from the sides without the need for additional accessories. This is a particularly useful feature in public environments, especially for those working with sensitive data.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor for Galaxy, coupled with an improved vapor chamber cooling system, resulting in increased performance and better heat control. But the problem lies in...Galaxy S25 UltraIt was already very powerful. In 2026, this machine will still handle all tasks smoothly, from playing demanding games to video editing. Therefore, the performance gap between the two generations is not really a concern for most users.
The more noteworthy aspect lies in AI; the S26 Ultra boasts a significant upgrade to its NPU, unlocking features like Now Brief and automatic contextual analysis. This is the right direction for Samsung in the AI era. However, do users truly need these features every day, or are they merely for show? If AI hasn't become a daily habit, its real value remains questionable.
In terms of photography capabilities, the S26 Ultra hasn't changed much, with the main camera still at 200MP. However, the aperture has been widened (f/1.4 compared to f/1.7), significantly improving light-gathering. In practice, this is a valuable upgrade, resulting in brighter, less noisy night shots with more detail. The telephoto camera has also been improved with a larger aperture, providing better performance in low-light conditions.
In addition, the Horizontal Lock video recording feature is a highlight. Maintaining a stable frame while rotating the phone offers a significant advantage for vloggers or action videographers. However, it's important to recognize that these are more of a refinement than a breakthrough. For the average user, the S25 Ultra's camera is still more than sufficient.
Samsung continues to use a fairly safe 5000 mAh battery, but lacks ambition in the context of Chinese brands pushing new battery technologies. A commendable point is the increased charging power to 60W, significantly shortening charging time, but compared to the market, it's still not truly impressive.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a significant price difference compared to the S25 Ultra.
The price difference between the two devices is quite evident, as observed at retail outlets.Viettablet - The Valuation GodThe official Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at nearly 28.5 million VND, while the official Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at around 22.8 million VND. With this price difference, if you are currently using an S25 Ultra, upgrading to the S26 Ultra may not offer a significant enough difference to justify the cost.
Overall, calling the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S26 Ultra "overhyped" might be an extreme assessment, but it's not without basis. Samsung is still refining the product, but this very process makes the upgrade feel safe and lacking in breakthroughs. For new users, the S26 Ultra is a great choice, but for those who already own an S25 Ultra, the differences aren't significant enough to create a strong incentive to upgrade.
