Samsung S26 Ultra vs. S24 Ultra: Is the two-year-upgrade worth it

As an experienced tech reviewer, I've had my hands on countless flagships, and the perennial question of whether to upgrade a perfectly capable two-year-old device always surfaces. This year, with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the comparison to its 2024 predecessor, the S24 Ultra, is particularly intriguing. While both are undeniably premium devices, the S26 Ultra brings several quality-of-life enhancements and performance boosts that could justify the jump for certain users, especially those seeking cutting-edge AI and camera improvements.

However, if you're content with your S24 Ultra's robust performance, appreciate its S Pen features, or simply want to avoid another hefty smartphone expense, holding onto it remains a perfectly valid, even smart, choice. The decision boils down to your priorities and how much you value the latest innovations Samsung has packed into its newest flagship.

Quick Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a refined user experience, significant performance gains, and smarter AI features, making it a compelling upgrade for those wanting the absolute latest. However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains an excellent device, particularly if the S Pen's Bluetooth functions are essential to your workflow or if you're looking to save money.

Key Specifications and Design Evolution

Let's start by looking at how the core specifications stack up. The Galaxy S26 Ultra boasts a slightly larger 6.9-inch AMOLED display compared to the S24 Ultra's 6.8-inch QHD AMOLED, both supporting a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. A standout new feature on the S26 Ultra's display is the "Privacy Display," enhancing security in public settings.

In terms of physical design, the S26 Ultra is noticeably lighter at 214 grams compared to the S24 Ultra's 232 grams. It's also slimmer and more compact, measuring 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9mm against the S24 Ultra's 79 x 162.3 x 8.6mm. While I personally missed the S24 Ultra's rounded sides, the S26 Ultra's redesign is described as easy to hold, maintaining a distinct personality while improving ergonomics.

Powering these devices are different generations of Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips. The S26 Ultra features the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, a significant leap from the S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3 for Galaxy. Both phones offer identical storage options (256GB, 512GB, 1TB) and the same 5,000mAh battery capacity. However, the S26 Ultra upgrades wired charging to a brisk 60W, capable of reaching 75% in about 30 minutes, a notable improvement over the S24 Ultra's 45W charging.

Performance and AI: A New Era

The most substantial upgrade in the S26 Ultra lies in its raw power and artificial intelligence capabilities. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, coupled with up to 16GB of RAM, delivers faster AI performance and significantly improved sustained workload performance. For mobile gamers, this translates to a much better experience, as Samsung has redesigned the vapor cooling chamber around the processor to maintain higher performance for longer durations. This should directly address any throttling concerns seen in previous generations, making the S26 Ultra a superior choice for intensive tasks and gaming.

Beyond just raw speed, the S26 Ultra introduces what Samsung calls "agentic AI that actually works." This isn't just a marketing gimmick; the reviewer noted these features were genuinely useful and marked the first time they would actively integrate AI into their daily smartphone usage. These advanced AI functionalities are expected to take time to reach older models, if they ever do, providing a strong incentive for early adopters.

Camera Enhancements and The S Pen Conundrum

On paper, the camera specifications might seem similar: both phones feature a quad-rear camera setup with a 200MP primary, a 10MP 3x telephoto, a 50MP 5x telephoto, and a 50MP ultrawide-angle lens, plus a 12MP front camera. However, the S26 Ultra brings crucial improvements with bigger apertures on both its primary camera and the 5x telephoto lens. This hardware change promises vastly improved nighttime photos and videos, addressing the noisy results sometimes seen in the S24 Ultra's low-light video captures.

During a demo, the S26 Ultra demonstrated a big improvement in low-light scenarios, with no light leakage when capturing neon signs. Additionally, the S26 Ultra introduces a GoPro-like Horizon lock feature for action shots, a capability entirely absent on the S24 Ultra, making it a better option for active users or content creators.

Now, for a potential deal-breaker for some: the S Pen. While an integral part of the Ultra series, Samsung downgraded the S Pen with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and this trend continues with the S26 Ultra. The latest S Pen is primarily designed for jotting down notes. This is a significant change from the S24 Ultra's S Pen, which doubled as a remote shutter button, a feature the reviewer found particularly handy for solo travel. If you rely on these Bluetooth S Pen functionalities, the S24 Ultra clearly has an edge.

Is it Worth the Upgrade? A Clear Recommendation

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, predictably, comes with a premium price tag, starting at around $1,300. This is a substantial investment, especially if your current Galaxy S24 Ultra is still performing admirably. The S24 Ultra is also scheduled to receive several more years of software upgrades, ensuring its longevity.

You should consider upgrading to the Galaxy S26 Ultra if:

• You prioritize the absolute latest in smartphone technology, including the new Privacy Display and genuinely useful agentic AI features.
• You demand top-tier performance for demanding tasks like mobile gaming, benefiting from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and improved cooling.
• You seek superior camera capabilities, especially for low-light photography and videography, and desire advanced features like Horizon lock.
• You appreciate a lighter, slimmer, and more ergonomic design with faster charging.

You should keep your Galaxy S24 Ultra if:

• You heavily rely on the S Pen's Bluetooth features, such as the remote shutter, which are absent in the S26 Ultra.
• You are not keen on spending over $1,000 on a new phone, especially since your S24 Ultra still receives critical updates and performs well.
• You're anticipating even more substantial camera innovations in future generations, as the reviewer suggests waiting another year for a potentially major camera overhaul.

My personal take? The S26 Ultra's lighter design, Privacy Display, and the tangible utility of its agentic AI features are genuinely appealing, marking a point where AI integration feels genuinely practical. For me, it would be a worthwhile upgrade. However, for many S24 Ultra owners, the generational leap, while solid, might not outweigh the financial investment, especially if the S Pen's Bluetooth features are a must-have.

FAQ

Q: Is the S26 Ultra's camera a significant improvement over the S24 Ultra, despite similar megapixel counts?

A: Yes, despite having similar megapixel counts, the Galaxy S26 Ultra offers significant camera improvements. It features a bigger aperture on both its primary camera and the 5x telephoto lens, leading to better nighttime photos and videos, less light leakage with neon signs, and a new GoPro-like Horizon lock feature for action shots, which the S24 Ultra lacks.

Q: What's the main difference in the S Pen experience between the two models?

A: The main difference is functionality. The Galaxy S24 Ultra's S Pen includes Bluetooth features, allowing it to double as a remote shutter button. The S26 Ultra's S Pen, however, has been downgraded and is primarily used for jotting down notes, lacking those advanced Bluetooth capabilities.

Q: Is the price difference justified for the S26 Ultra if my S24 Ultra is still working well?

A: The justification depends on your priorities. The S26 Ultra brings considerable upgrades in performance, AI, display security (Privacy Display), and camera low-light capabilities. If these are critical to you, the $1,300+ starting price might be worth it. However, if your S24 Ultra meets your current needs, still receives updates, and you utilize its unique S Pen features, waiting another year or two could be a more economical choice.