Samsung Galaxy S26 vs S25 vs S24: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Do you currently have a Samsung Galaxy S25 or S24 and are considering upgrading to the new Galaxy S26? Or maybe you have an older Galaxy phone or budget Android phone and are considering upgrading to a newer model from Samsung's flagship line. If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Choosing whether or not to upgrade phones is a big (and expensive) decision. Unfortunately, there is never a clear-cut answer. The decision depends on your unique situation. 

This guide will break down the specs, key differentiators, and factors to consider between the latest three generations of the Samsung Galaxy S series so you can make an informed decision of whether it’s worth the time and cost to upgrade.  

Quick Specs Comparison: S26 vs. S25 vs. S24 at a Glance

The following is a spec comparison of the base models of the S26, S25, and S24 to give you a snapshot of the key differences between the three phones.

This comparison highlights the evolution of hardware specifications, including display enhancements, processing power, and starting configurations. Below the table, we will explain what these numbers actually mean for an everyday user.

Design & Display

The Galaxy S26 introduced a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen compared to the 6.2-inch displays on the S25 and S24. 

Other design changes to the hardware are more evolutionary than revolutionary. The biggest design changes are found on the premium Ultra models. For example, the S26 Ultra has a new pill-shaped rear camera island versus the “floating” cameras on the S25 Ultra. The S26 Ultra also brings a slimmer 7.9mm profile vs. 8.2mm on the S25 Ultra and 8.6mm on the S24 Ultra, along with rounder edges overall.

When it comes to display, the biggest difference between the three models comes with the S26 Ultra, which features the new Privacy Display. This feature is a first for smartphones, allowing you to block side-angle viewing. So if you’re checking your bank account or watching an R-rated movie in the middle seat of an airplane, the content on the screen will be for your eyes only. 

The S26 Ultra retains the built-in S Pen, a feature not available on base S26 or S25 models. So if you want a larger display and the functionality of a small tablet with a stylus, the Ultra tier is for you, regardless of generation. 

Performance

Typically, you’re always going to get better performance from the latest generation of any smartphone. For the Galaxy S series, the S26 is noticeably better than the S25 or S26 models, with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. 

The S26 base model even eclipses the performance of the S25 Ultra, with a reported 19% faster CPU, 24% stronger GPU, and 39% improved NPU. 

In layman's terms, this means you should choose any tier of the S26 if performance is your top priority. That doesn’t mean that the Galaxy S25 or S24 are slow by any measure, but the S26 took a big lead in terms of processor speeds. 

The NPU improvement matters most for Galaxy AI features such as live translation, photo editing, and on-device intelligence, so if you’re all-in on the AI train, it’s worth upgrading. 

But if it’s just everyday tasks you’re needing, the S25 will perform just fine. You’ll start to notice a difference between it and the S26 for AI features, and those who constantly use their phone for gaming. 

For S24 users, the jump in performance is more meaningful.

Camera System

This is typically where the real upgrades happen on flagship smartphones. Some leaps will be broader from one generation to the next, while others are more incremental. 

The past three generations of the Galaxy S series all feature a 50 megapixel rear (main) camera on the base models. Where you start to see the biggest difference in generations is with the Ultra tier. 

The S26 Ultra’s camera wins out compared to the S25 Ultra or S24 Ultra with an improved wide-lens opening (f/1.4 aperture), allowing maximum light for low-light shooting and creating an extremely shallow depth of field. Both the S25 and S24 Ultra models have a f/1.7. 

Ultrawide shooting jumps to 50 megapixels on the S26 Ultra versus just 12MP on the S24 Ultra. Also, the AI camera features are much improved on the S26 Ultra compared to its two predecessors. 

For video, the S26 Ultra's support for the APV (Advanced Professional Video) codec gives it a leg up over the other two. This is particularly important for content creators who need high-quality 8K video without compression artifacts. 

‍Bottom line: if the camera is your biggest priority, the S26 Ultra is the way to go. If you’re considering between the three base models, you’re not going to see a significant difference in your photos or videos.

Battery Life & Charging Speed

For the first time in several generations, the base Galaxy S26 saw a capacity increase to 4,300 mAh, up from 4,000mAh on both S25 and S24.

You’ll get the biggest battery with either the S26 Ultra or S25 Ultra (5,000mAh), but the biggest differentiator here is the charging speeds. The S26 Ultra gets 60W wired charging, up from 40W on S25 Ultra and 25W on S24 Ultra. It can reach around 75% in roughly 30 minutes. 

Wireless charging on the S26 Ultra jumps to 25W versus 15W on the S25 Ultra. Of note, neither the S26 nor the S26 Ultra includes built-in magnetic (Qi2) charging alignment. 

Software, AI Features & Long-Term Support

Software matters because it’s linked to how long your phone will be supported by the manufacturer. 

All three generations carry Samsung's seven-year OS and security update commitment. This means seven years from the phone’s software system at launch. 

The S26 series launched with Android 16 and One UI 8, giving it a software longevity head start. Meanwhile, the S25 launched on Android 15 / One UI 7, and the S24 launched on Android 14. 

All three models support Galaxy AI features, but the S26 series does it the best thanks to the improved NPU. 

Bottom line: You likely won’t ever find yourself with a phone that can’t be upgraded to the latest Android operating system with either the S26, S25, or S24. By the time that happens, it’ll be time to upgrade phones again. 

Galaxy AI & Gemini: What's Actually New on the S26?

The Galaxy S26 series is the most AI-forward Galaxy phone to date. Samsung is fully embracing agentic AI, meaning that your phone is capable of taking multi-step actions on your behalf — things like booking trips, searching, and summarizing emails. 

As previously mentioned, the S26 Ultra's 39% improved NPU versus the S25 Ultra is what enables deeper on-device Gemini integration. This means it can run more tasks locally without sending data to the cloud.

Galaxy AI features are available on S25 and S24 as well, but the S26 hardware enables faster, more capable execution.

Pricing & Storage

The Galaxy S26 standardized 256GB as the base storage tier, coinciding with a $100 price increase. Both the S26 and S25 feature 12GB of RAM as standard, up from 8GB in the S24.

When it comes to price, the S26 Ultra holds steady at $1,299, the same as the 25 Ultra at launch. Meanwhile, the S26 and S26+ saw a $100 increase over previous years, with a starting price of $899 and $1,099, respectively. 

These are the retail prices for unlocked versions of the phone that can be paired with virtually any phone carrier. If you’re looking to upgrade your phone but don’t have a grand or more to spend, you can compare every S26 promotion across carriers with Goji Mobile.  

Which Samsung Galaxy Should You Buy?

Short answer: it depends. Let’s break it down based on your personal preference: 

• Buy the S26 Ultra…if you want the best camera, optimized AI features, the most powerful battery, and the revolutionary Privacy Display.
• Stick with the S25…if you already have one. The camera, battery, storage, and performance are all incremental compared to the S26.
• Upgrade from the S24…if you have the funds to do so. It’s best to make the leap two generations to the S26 in this case. You’ll see a noticeable difference across the board. 
• Consider a refurbished S24 or S25…if you have an older Galaxy S or a budget Android phone. You’ll get a significantly better camera and noticeably better performance.  

Still not sure which Galaxy is right for you? Check out our full breakdown of the best Samsung phones of 2026, where we ranked every major model so you don't have to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth upgrading from the Galaxy S24 to the S26?

Yes. You’ll notice a difference in performance, battery life, charging speeds, and camera quality — especially with the S26 Ultra.  

Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra worth it over the S25 Ultra?

If you already have the S25 Ultra, you won’t notice a huge difference. You’ll get better performance of AI features and the new Privacy Display. Other than that, everything is incremental. 

What processor does the Samsung Galaxy S26 use?

The Galaxy S26 uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.

Does the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra support 5G on prepaid carriers?

Yes, all Galaxy S26 versions support 5G on prepaid carriers.

How long will Samsung support the Galaxy S26 with updates?

Samsung will support the Galaxy S26 for at least seven years with software and operating system updates.

What storage does the Galaxy S26 come with?

The Galaxy S26 standardized 256GB as the base storage tier, coinciding with a $100 price increase.

Does the Galaxy S26 support eSIM?

Yes, the Galaxy S26 series supports eSIM.