Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Base Model - Specs & Performance Comparison

Do you prefer sheer hardware power?

If so, the Galaxy S25 Ultra still holds a clear advantage.

However, the upcoming Galaxy S26 base model - expected to feature either the Exynos 2600 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 - has evolved enough to seriously challenge the Ultra in raw computing power and AI performance.

Galaxy Unpacked 2026 Schedule

Samsung is expected to hold its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026, in San Francisco, USA.

At this event, Samsung will officially unveil its next-generation flagship lineup, the Galaxy S26 series.

With the launch approaching, interest is growing around how the Galaxy S26 base model compares to the current Galaxy S25 Ultra, especially in terms of value and performance.

Galaxy S26 vs S25 Ultra: What’s Different?

The Galaxy S26 base model is rumored to close the gap with the Ultra in several key areas, including battery life, chipset, display, and overall design.

As Samsung’s next flagship release draws near, many are questioning whether the base model could be the more reasonable choice this time around.

According to reports from IT outlet PhoneArena, there are five reasons why the Galaxy S26 base model could outperform the Galaxy S25 Ultra in overall value.

Let’s take a closer look.

1. Larger Battery Capacity

The Galaxy S26 base model is expected to feature a battery capacity of over 4,300mAh, up from approximately 4,000mAh on the Galaxy S25.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to retain a similar battery size to its predecessor, likely around 5,000mAh.

While the Ultra maintains its advantage on paper, the base model’s incremental battery improvements could translate into noticeably longer real-world usage.

2. Exynos 2600 with 2nm Process

Samsung is expected to equip the Galaxy S26 with its first 2nm Exynos 2600 chipset, built using the company’s Gate-All-Around (GAA) process.

Samsung has already released a teaser confirming the Exynos 2600 and its application in the S26 lineup.

Thanks to its advanced 2nm architecture, the chip is rumored to rival - or even surpass - Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon processor in performance, while also offering improved power efficiency.

3. Larger and Brighter Display

The Galaxy S26 base model is rumored to feature a 6.3-inch display, up from the previous 6.2 inches.

It is also expected to use a new OLED material, potentially pushing peak brightness to up to 3,000 nits.

That said, some sources suggest the brightness cap may remain closer to 2,600 nits, depending on final tuning.

4. Slimmer Design

The Galaxy S26 is expected to be slimmer, with a thickness of approximately 6.9mm, compared to 7.2mm on the previous model.

This slimmer profile is said to come alongside the return of a refined camera island design, contributing to a more polished overall look.

5. Possible Camera Upgrades

Current leaks suggest the Galaxy S26 may retain a camera module similar to its predecessor, likely due to Samsung’s strategy to keep prices stable amid rising component costs.

However, if Samsung does introduce even a modest camera upgrade, it could become another strong reason to choose the base model over the Ultra.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Galaxy S26 base model appears poised to deliver performance and features that rival the Ultra lineup more closely than ever before.

Amid increasing price pressures, Samsung’s strategy seems to focus on offering stronger value through its base flagship model.

More concrete details will be revealed at the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event, where Samsung is expected to fully showcase the Galaxy S26 series.