Galaxy S24 vs S25 vs S26:Â Samsung formally debuted the Galaxy S26 series on February 25, 2026, and the new lineup includes faster charging, better displays, and enhanced privacy features. But for most purchasers, the key question is whether upgrading from an older model is worthwhile.
The answer depends entirely on which phone you currently own. If you are using a Galaxy S24, the jump to the S26 is significant. If you have a Galaxy S25, the changes are more targeted. Here is a detailed breakdown of the specs, prices, and real-world benefits.
Who Should Upgrade? (From Galaxy S24 Series)
If your phone is two generations old, the improvements in the S26 series will feel substantial. Here is what you gain.
Performance Seekers. The Galaxy S26 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. That is a 19% boost in CPU performance and a 24% increase in GPU power compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24 Ultra. Apps open faster. Games run smoother. Video exports take less time.
Battery Conscious Users. For years, Samsung capped charging at 45W. The S26 Ultra finally moves to 60W wired charging. That means you can go from zero to 75% in about 30 minutes. The S24 Ultra took closer to an hour for a full charge.
Outdoor Users. The S26 Ultra hits 3,000 nits of peak brightness. That is up from 2,600 nits on the S24 Ultra. On a sunny day, you can actually read your screen without finding shade.
Comfort and Feel. The S26 Ultra is thinner at 7.9mm compared to 8.6mm on the S24 Ultra. It also weighs less and has rounder edges. It sits better in the hand.
Who Should Upgrade? (From Galaxy S25 Series)
If you bought a phone last year, the changes are smaller. But for specific users, the new features matter.
Privacy Conscious Professionals. The S26 Ultra debuts a “Zero-Peeking” Privacy Display. It uses hardware to block the screen from side angles. If you work on a train or in a coffee shop, the person next to you cannot read your screen. Only you can see it straight on.
Video Creators. The S26 Ultra supports the APV codec for the first time. That stands for Advanced Professional Video. It lets you record in 8K without compression artifacts. The footage stays crisp.
Low Light Photographers. The main camera on the S26 Ultra opens to f/1.4. That is wider than the f/1.7 on the S25 Ultra. More light hits the sensor. Night shots come out brighter with less noise.
People Who Want a Slimmer Phone. The S26 Ultra measures 7.9mm thick. The S25 Ultra was 8.2mm. It is a small difference, but you feel it with daily use.
Complete Spec Comparison: Galaxy S24 vs S25 vs S26
Here is how the base models stack up against each other over three generations.
| Specification | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.2-inch FHD+ | 6.2-inch FHD+ | 6.3-inch FHD+ |
| Processor (India) | Exynos 2400 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Exynos 2600 (2nm) |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage Start | 128GB | 128GB | 256GB |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 4,000 mAh | 4,300 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 25W | 25W | 25W |
| Launch Price (India) | ₹67,000 approx | ₹80,999 | ₹87,999 |
Ultra Model Comparison: S24 Ultra vs S25 Ultra vs S26 Ultra
The Ultra variants show the biggest jumps, especially in charging and display technology.
| Specification | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.8-inch | 6.9-inch | 6.9-inch |
| Peak Brightness | 2,600 nits | 2,600 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.7 | f/1.4 |
| Special Camera Feature | 200MP sensor | 200MP sensor | APV 8K codec |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 45W | 45W | 60W |
| Thickness | 8.6mm | 8.2mm | 7.9mm |
| Weight | 232g | 218g | 214g |
| Special Feature | Titanium frame | Titanium frame | Privacy Display |
| Launch Price (India) | ₹1,29,999 | ₹1,29,999 | ₹1,39,999 |
Galaxy S26 Series Full Specifications
Here are the detailed specs for all three new models launching in India.
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | Galaxy S26+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+, 1-120Hz | 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 1-120Hz | 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 1-120Hz, Privacy Display |
| Peak Brightness | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Processor (India) | Exynos 2600 (2nm) | Exynos 2600 (2nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12GB LPDDR5X | 12GB LPDDR5X | 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Main Camera | 50MP wide (f/1.8), OIS | 50MP wide (f/1.8), OIS | 200MP wide (f/1.4), OIS |
| Ultra-wide Camera | 12MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) |
| Telephoto Camera | 10MP (3x optical, f/2.4) | 10MP (3x optical, f/2.4) | 50MP (5x optical) + 50MP (3x optical) |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | 4,300 mAh | 4,900 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 25W (55% in 30 min) | 45W (69% in 30 min) | 60W (75% in 30 min) |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 15W | 15W |
| Dimensions | 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.2mm | 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3mm | 162.3 x 79.0 x 7.9mm |
| Weight | 167g | 190g | 214g |
| OS | Android 16 with One UI 8.5 | Android 16 with One UI 8.5 | Android 16 with One UI 8.5 |
| Update Commitment | 7 years | 7 years | 7 years |
| Colors | Cobalt Violet, White, Black, Sky Blue | Cobalt Violet, White, Black, Sky Blue | Cobalt Violet, White, Black, Sky Blue |
| Online Exclusives | Pink Gold, Silver Shadow | Pink Gold, Silver Shadow | Pink Gold, Silver Shadow |
Galaxy S26 Series India Pricing
Samsung has increased starting prices this year. The base model now starts at 256GB storage, which partly explains the jump.
| Model | Variant | Official Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 | 12GB + 256GB | ₹87,999 |
| 12GB + 512GB | ₹1,07,999 | |
| Galaxy S26+ | 12GB + 256GB | ₹1,19,999 |
| 12GB + 512GB | ₹1,39,999 | |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 12GB + 256GB | ₹1,39,999 |
| 12GB + 512GB | ₹1,59,999 | |
| 16GB + 1TB | ₹1,89,999 |
Pre-Order Benefit. During the pre-order period, Samsung is offering a “Double Storage” upgrade. That means you get the 512GB variant for the price of the 256GB model on the S26 and S26+.
Galaxy S26+ vs Galaxy S26: Which One Should You Pick?
The two non-Ultra models share the same camera system and core features. The differences come down to size and battery.
Pick the Galaxy S26 if:
- You want a small phone that fits effortlessly into one hand.
- You do not watch many videos or play graphic-heavy games
- You are okay with 25W charging and a smaller battery
- Weight matters to you (the S26 is 167g vs 190g on the Plus)
Pick the Galaxy S26+ if:
- You watch a lot of YouTube or Netflix on your phone
- You want the sharper QHD+ display resolution
- You need faster 45W charging
- You want a bigger 4,900 mAh battery for all-day use
The cameras are identical. So you are not losing photo quality by choosing the smaller phone.
Should I Wait for Prices to Drop?
Samsung phones typically see their first price cuts around Diwali and end-of-year sales. If you can wait, you might save money. But the pre-order double storage deal is a good value if you need more space.
