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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review buyers in 2026 are often looking at discounts rather than buying the phone at its original launch price, and that changes the value equation considerably.
The S25 Ultra remains a powerful Android flagship with a large 6.9-inch display, Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a 200MP main camera and Samsung’s long software-support commitment.
It is no longer the newest Ultra, but older flagships can become some of the smartest purchases once prices fall.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Key Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, adaptive 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Main camera | 200MP |
| Ultrawide | 50MP |
| Telephoto | 50MP 5x optical, plus 10MP 3x optical |
| Battery | 5000mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired, wireless charging supported |
| Stylus | Integrated S Pen |
| Protection | IP68 |
The Display Is Still Excellent
Samsung’s Ultra phones have long been built around large, high-quality OLED panels.
The 6.9-inch QHD+ display gives you a huge workspace for reading, editing photos, watching video and using the S Pen. Adaptive refresh up to 120Hz keeps scrolling smooth while allowing the phone to reduce refresh rate when full speed is unnecessary.
The size is also a disadvantage. This is not a compact phone, and buyers who value one-handed use should handle one before committing.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy provides more performance than most ordinary phone tasks require.
Apps open quickly, demanding games run well and heavy multitasking is comfortable. The more meaningful question in 2026 is longevity. A chipset this powerful has plenty of headroom for several more years of normal use.
That makes a discounted S25 Ultra more attractive than an older mid-range phone at a similar price.
The Camera System Is Versatile
The 200MP main camera is joined by a 50MP ultrawide, a 50MP 5x telephoto and a 10MP 3x telephoto.
That gives the phone more optical flexibility than many rivals. You can move from wide landscapes to portraits and distant subjects without relying entirely on digital cropping.
Samsung’s processing style can still be more vivid and sharpened than some photographers prefer. The advantage is consistency and flexibility rather than one universally ‘correct’ look.
The S Pen Is Useful, With One Downgrade
The integrated S Pen remains excellent for handwriting, annotating screenshots and precise selection.
However, Samsung removed the Bluetooth-based remote features found on some previous Ultra S Pens. If you used the stylus as a remote camera shutter or for air gestures, that change matters.
For ordinary writing and drawing, the core stylus experience remains intact.
Battery and Charging
The 5000mAh battery is large enough for all-day use for many people, although camera use, gaming, mobile signal quality and screen brightness can change endurance dramatically.
Charging is one area where Samsung remains conservative. Up to 45W wired charging is useful, but several competitors refill much faster.
That matters less overnight and more when you need a large charge in a short break.
Software Support
Samsung’s long update policy is one of the strongest reasons an older flagship can still make sense.
Buying a phone one generation late does not immediately turn it into unsupported hardware. The remaining software lifespan should still be considered when comparing a discounted S25 Ultra with a brand-new mid-range phone.
Who Should Buy It in 2026?
The S25 Ultra makes sense if you want a large display, integrated stylus, flexible camera system and flagship performance at a price meaningfully below the newest model.
Skip it if the discount is small, you dislike large phones or extremely fast charging is a priority.
Pros
- Excellent large AMOLED display
- Very strong performance
- Flexible four-camera system
- Integrated S Pen
- Premium build and IP68 protection
- Long software-support runway
Cons
- Large and heavy
- 45W charging trails faster rivals
- S Pen lost Bluetooth remote features
- Original flagship pricing was very high
Final Verdict
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has aged well because its core hardware was excessive from the beginning.
A fast processor, huge high-quality display, strong cameras and long support policy still matter in 2026.
At a substantial discount, it can be a better buy than many newer phones. At a price close to the latest Ultra, there is less reason to choose the older model.