# Should I upgrade from the Galaxy S25 Ultra to the S26 Ultra?

> Is the upgrade worth it for S25 Ultra owners

*Published: 2026-01-28 | Updated: 2026-01-28 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/answers/should-i-upgrade-from-the-galaxy-s25-ultra-to-s26-ultra*

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## Product: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
**Brand:** Samsung

Honestly? For most S25 Ultra owners, the [S26 Ultra](https://shopsavvy.com/products/samsung-samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-galaxy-s26-ultra-97x94afl) isn't a must-have upgrade. It's nice, but not essential.

## Here's what you'd actually get

The meaningful improvements are:
- **Better low-light camera** with a wider aperture (47% more light)
- **Faster charging** (60W wired, 25W wireless)
- **Magnetic accessories work now** thanks to Qi2
- **Privacy Display** for hiding your screen from nosy neighbors on the bus
- **Rounded corners** instead of flat sides (some people will love this, others won't care)

## When it makes sense to upgrade

Pull the trigger if:
- Low-light photos frustrate you currently
- You really want magnetic chargers and accessories
- You commute on public transit and Privacy Display sounds genuinely useful
- Samsung's trade-in deal makes the out-of-pocket cost minimal

## When you should save your money

Keep your S25 Ultra if:
- Your photos look fine to you
- You mostly use wired charging anyway
- You're not bothered by the current design
- Paying $400-600 after trade-in feels like a lot for these upgrades

## The real question

Your S25 Ultra gets software updates for another 6 years. It's not going anywhere. Unless the specific things Samsung improved this year directly address problems you're having, there's no rush.

The S27 Ultra will presumably bring bigger changes. Sometimes skipping a generation is the smarter move.

That said, watch the pre-order trade-in values. Sometimes Samsung gets so aggressive with deals that upgrading every year costs almost nothing. If that happens, go for it.

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*Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and analysis of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.*