“Human-style review: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra after upgrading from the S24 Ultra
I’ve moved from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to the S26 Ultra, and honestly, this is one of those upgrades that feels better in daily use, but not necessarily “night and day” unless you care about camera, AI features, screen quality, and long-term software support.
The S24 Ultra was already a monster, so the S26 Ultra is not coming in like some miracle device from the future. It is more like Samsung took an already excellent phone, polished the rough edges, made it faster, gave it a bigger/brighter display, pushed the AI features harder, and improved the camera experience.
The S26 Ultra has a 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 5,000mAh battery, Android 16, and storage options up to 1TB, with 12GB RAM on most models and 16GB on the 1TB model. Samsung also says the S26 Ultra brings faster AI, CPU and GPU performance compared with the S25 Ultra, including a 39% NPU uplift, 24% GPU improvement, and 19% CPU improvement.
Compared to the S24 Ultra, the biggest things I noticed are the screen, the camera processing, the speed, and the newer AI features. The S24 Ultra still has the excellent 200MP wide camera, built-in S Pen, premium titanium design, and strong AI features, so it is absolutely not outdated.
Pros of upgrading from S24 Ultra to S26 Ultra
1. Better display
The screen is slightly bigger, going from around 6.8 inches on the S24 Ultra to 6.9 inches on the S26 Ultra. On paper that sounds tiny, because it is, but the S26 Ultra does feel more refined. The newer Privacy Display feature is also a nice touch if you use your phone in public, especially for banking, emails, messages, or customer details.
2. Faster performance
The S24 Ultra is still very fast, but the S26 Ultra feels more future-proof. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, gaming is better, and the newer chip gives the phone more room for AI-heavy features. Is it life-changing? No. Is it faster? Yes. Is it the sort of thing you notice more after a few weeks than on day one? Probably.
3. Camera improvements
The S26 Ultra keeps the Ultra-style camera setup but improves the overall package. Reports list the S26 Ultra with a 200MP main camera, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x telephoto, and 50MP 5x periscope camera, with up to 100x Space Zoom. The S24 Ultra already had a serious camera setup, including the 200MP wide camera and strong zoom capability, so the S26 Ultra is more of a refinement than a total reinvention.
For normal photos of the kids, days out, work stuff, products, and social media, both phones are excellent. But the S26 Ultra should give you better results in more awkward conditions, especially with zoom, low light, and processing.
4. More future-proof
This is probably one of the biggest practical reasons to upgrade. The S24 Ultra is still supported, but the S26 Ultra starts further ahead with newer software, newer hardware, and longer remaining support. The standard S26 launched with Android 16 / One UI 8.5 and update support into 2033, and the S26 Ultra sits in that same 2026 flagship family.
5. Still keeps the Ultra identity
You still get the big screen, premium build, strong cameras, S Pen-style productivity appeal, and that “do everything” Samsung feel. It is still a proper powerhouse phone, not just a shiny glass rectangle for scrolling Facebook and regretting Marketplace messages.
Cons of upgrading from S24 Ultra to S26 Ultra
1. The S24 Ultra is still brilliant
This is the awkward bit. The S24 Ultra is not some old Nokia in a drawer. It is still fast, still premium, still has a great camera, still has the S Pen, and still feels modern. So unless you are getting a very good deal, the upgrade is not essential.
2. Battery is not a huge leap
Both phones sit around the 5,000mAh battery mark. So do not expect the S26 Ultra to suddenly last three days while making you tea and walking the dog. Battery life should be good, but this is not the main reason to upgrade.
3. Expensive for an incremental upgrade
The S26 Ultra is a flagship phone, so the price will do what flagship prices do: punch your wallet square in the ribs. If your S24 Ultra is paid off, in good condition, and doing everything you need, keeping it is the sensible, boring, financially responsible answer. Sadly, sensible is rarely as fun as opening a new phone box.
4. Camera improvements may not matter to everyone
If most of your photos are normal daytime shots, social media uploads, screenshots, family photos, or quick work pictures, the S24 Ultra is already more than good enough. The S26 Ultra camera upgrades are more noticeable if you care about zoom, low light, video, or squeezing the absolute best out of the phone.
5. Size is still massive
The S26 Ultra is still a big phone. Great for YouTube, editing, photos, emails, and multitasking. Not so great if you have normal-sized pockets or hands that were not built by Samsung’s engineering department.
S26 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: practical comparison
Area S24 Ultra S26 Ultra Real-world difference
Display 6.8-inch class QHD+ display 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED Slightly better, not dramatic
Performance Still very fast Faster, newer chip Better for long-term use
Battery 5,000mAh 5,000mAh Similar on paper
Camera Excellent 200MP Ultra camera system Improved Ultra camera system with stronger zoom/camera processing Noticeable, but not night-and-day
Software Still modern Newer Android/One UI out of the box Better future-proofing
S Pen Yes Yes No major practical change
Value Better if already owned Better if deal/trade-in is strong Depends on price
My honest verdict
The S26 Ultra is the better phone, no question. It is faster, newer, more refined, has improved AI features, a better display experience, and a stronger camera package.
But compared against the S24 Ultra, it is not a “you must upgrade immediately” situation. The S24 Ultra is still an absolute beast. The upgrade makes sense if:
You got a strong trade-in deal, your contract is ending, you want the newest camera/AI features, or you simply like having the latest Ultra.
It makes less sense if:
Your S24 Ultra is still working perfectly, you are paying a lot extra per month, or you mostly use your phone for WhatsApp, Facebook, calls, photos, YouTube, and work emails.
Final review wording you could use
I upgraded from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to the S26 Ultra, and while it is definitely an improvement, it is more of a refined upgrade than a complete game-changer. The S26 Ultra feels faster, the screen is excellent, the camera system is more polished, and the newer AI features make it feel more future-proof. Photos, zoom shots, and general day-to-day performance are all very strong.
That said, the S24 Ultra is still a fantastic phone and does not suddenly feel outdated. Battery life is not a massive leap, the size is still huge, and unless you are getting a good deal or really want the latest Samsung flagship, the upgrade is more of a luxury than a necessity.
Overall, the S26 Ultra is probably one of the best Android phones available right now, but S24 Ultra owners should only upgrade if the price makes sense. Great phone, excellent camera, premium feel — just do not expect it to make your S24 Ultra feel ancient, because it absolutely does not.”
