The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra should not be purchased. Wait for the Galaxy S26 Ultra for these four reasons.
the latest from samsung Unpacked The event concluded and with it, we were introduced to the Galaxy S25 series. As expected, the lineup includes the standard Galaxy S25, the mid-tier S25 Plus, and the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra. Equipped with impressive hardware like the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, AI-powered features and camera improvements, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is undoubtedly a powerful device.
But is it worth upgrading right now? Depending on your current phone, you may find these updates more incremental than groundbreaking. There are compelling reasons to consider postponing until next year Galaxy S26 Ultra. Let’s discuss why waiting might be the smartest decision.
A huge 200MP periscope telephoto camera
The Galaxy S25 Ultra brings some improvements to its camera system, but much of it feels like a continuation of what we’ve already seen. For example, while most of the cameras remain unchanged from last year’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, there is one notable improvement: the ultrawide camera now features a 50MP sensor, replacing the 12MP sensor of its predecessor. This means sharper and more detailed wide-angle shots, a welcome improvement for anyone who uses this lens frequently.
However, if you’re someone who relies heavily on telephoto photography (like me), there’s an interesting rumor that could make the Galaxy S26 Ultra worth the wait. According to the leaker Digital chat stationSamsung is exploring an unannounced 200MP sensor for a periscope telephoto camera. This 1/1.5-inch sensor could debut on the S26 Ultra and would represent a major step forward in zoom capabilities. Not only would it improve optical zoom performance, but it could also offer superior results when digital zooming, offering more usable results even when using software-based zoom.
For photography enthusiasts or anyone who values cutting-edge camera technology, this potential update alone could justify waiting another year.
New battery technology and faster wired charging
The Galaxy S25 Ultra follows a tried and true formula when it comes to battery capacity: a 5000 mAh cell, the same size Samsung has used since the Galaxy S20 Ultra in 2020. While this capacity is enough for the For most users, it does not represent any real advance in battery technology.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, however, could change that completely. A leak published by Jukanlosreve on X, referring to leaker Ice Universe suggests that Samsung may adopt silicon-carbon battery technology for your next flagship. This type of battery offers higher energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion cells, potentially increasing capacity by around 13% without requiring additional physical space. For context, devices like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro We have already implemented this technology with impressive results.
What does this mean for the S26 Ultra? Samsung could increase battery capacity while maintaining its current slim profile or keep capacity stable while making the device even thinner.
Besides that, another rumor of @kro_roe in X suggests that the S26 Ultra could support up to 65W wired charging, a significant jump from the 45W charging speed that Samsung has maintained since the Galaxy Note 10 series.
Thinner, brighter screen
go even further.
A report from the Korean publication. the electric indicates that Samsung is exploring a display technology called “Thin Film Color Filter Encapsulation” (CoE). This innovation replaces traditional polarizing layers in OLED displays with color filters and black layers to define the pixels. The result is a thinner, brighter and more energy efficient screen.
Currently, polarizing coatings reduce reflections and improve visibility but also limit brightness levels and require more power to achieve greater luminosity. CoE would address these drawbacks while contributing to a slimmer overall design. Since Samsung has already used CoE technology in its foldable devices starting Galaxy Z Fold 3It wouldn’t be surprising to see it arrive on next year’s flagship Ultra model.
Advanced facial scanning similar to Apple’s Face ID
While Apple’s Face ID relies on advanced hardware like infrared light and point projection for secure 3D face mapping, Samsung’s facial recognition system relies solely on its front camera, making it less accurate and secure in comparison.
That could change with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. TO Haizaki Ryouhei leak He initially suggested that Samsung was working on a new feature called PolarID: a polarized facial identification system that does not require additional sensors but instead takes advantage of Qualcomm Snapdragon processing and Samsung LSI hardware integrated into the display design. Although the first rumors suggested that PolarID would debut with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the leaker SawyerGalox later clarified which will likely appear first in next year’s model.
If true, PolarID could bring Samsung’s facial scanning technology closer to Apple’s Face ID in terms of security and reliability, another reason why it’s worth considering waiting for the S26 Ultra.
Even more Ultra than before
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is undoubtedly an impressive smartphone with significant improvements over its predecessor, but many of these improvements feel iterative rather than transformative. If you’re using an older device or eager to upgrade now, you’ll probably be happy with what Samsung delivered this year.
However, if you’re someone who values innovation or simply wants to future-proof your investment as much as possible, waiting for the Galaxy S26 Ultra seems like a smart decision.
