Dummy units of the Galaxy S26 Ultra have surfaced recently. | Image Credit - Ice Universe
Samsung might find it challenging to persuade owners of the Galaxy S25 Ultra to switch to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, according to the results from a recent survey we conducted.
Minimal Upgrades on Offer
The expected enhancements the Galaxy S26 Ultra will bring over its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, appear limited to the integration of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, slightly faster 60W charging, a slimmer 7.9mm profile, and a lighter body weighing just 214 grams.
Out of 1,090 respondents, 824 (76%) feel these upgrades are insufficient justification for owning the S26 Ultra if they already have the S25 Ultra, even if it comes with a higher price tag.
If you currently own the Galaxy S25 Ultra, would you upgrade to the S26 Ultra?
75.15% of voters said they see no reason to upgrade.
13.91% would upgrade only if the price stays the same.
10.94% responded they would upgrade regardless.
Total Votes: 1179
Focus on Practical Refinements
The Galaxy S25 Ultra remains one of the most highly regarded Android smartphones this year, which could explain Samsung's decision to make only incremental improvements in the S26 Ultra.
Although the spec sheet may not flaunt major upgrades, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to bring enhancements that improve the everyday user experience, such as the inclusion of 10.7Gbps LPDDR5X RAM technology, expected to boost both device responsiveness and camera performance. Additionally, new M14 display materials could contribute to longer battery life.
Is It Worth the Upgrade?
Given the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s strong performance and longevity, combined with the likelihood of a price increase on the S26 Ultra, Samsung faces the challenge of offering compelling reasons for users to make the jump.
Until the Galaxy S26 Ultra provides clear and substantial improvements over its predecessor, many Galaxy S25 Ultra owners might be inclined to hold on to their current device.
