Samsung's 2025–2026 Galaxy flagship family covers several distinct designs: the mainstream S25 and S25+, the camera-focused S25 Ultra with a Snapdragon 8 Elite, the newer S26 Ultra with photographic hardware changes, ultra-thin S25 Edge experiments, and the foldable Z Fold7 and Z Flip7. These phones target buyers who prioritize top-tier Android performance, pro-grade imaging tools, or novel foldable form factors, with longer software support and a range of battery and display trade-offs across models.
This review synthesizes reporting and test findings from multiple specialist outlets: CNET (hands-on and pros/cons reporting around the S25/S25 Ultra), Wired (editorial roundups and long-term context), PhoneArena (portfolio and segment analysis), and DxOMark (hardware camera comparisons and measured low-light results for the S26 Ultra). We rely only on claims and measured observations those sources published about the 2025–2026 Galaxy flagships.
High-level verdict: Samsung's flagships are among the most capable Android phones in 2026 — strong displays, leading performance on S25/S25 Ultra, measurable camera improvements on the S26 Ultra, and mature foldables. The upside is concrete: Snapdragon 8 Elite performance (S25 Ultra), a 5× telephoto and wider aperture on the S26 Ultra, and Pro Scaler image processing that improves low-light noise handling. The downside reported across sources: some AI features are inconsistent or unreliable (CNET), and DxOMark still finds gaps versus competitors like the iPhone 17 Pro and Motorola Signature in a few camera metrics.
Top-tier silicon delivers fast real-world performance
CNET's coverage highlights the S25 Ultra's use of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which positions Samsung's recent Ultra phones as among the fastest Android handsets for sustained workloads and pro video tools. That chipset support underpins smooth UI, demanding apps, and the pro video features CNET compared favorably to contemporary iPhones.
PhoneArena and Wired note Samsung's portfolio consistency: the S25/S26 family is tuned for high frame rates and multitasking, while foldables like the Z Fold7 deliver tablet-sized productivity. Those sources treat raw performance as a baseline strength across the flagship line, with software optimizations layered on top.
Camera hardware and processing are the story, but not flawless
DxOMark's analysis of the S26 Ultra calls out two concrete hardware changes: a wider-aperture main camera and a new 5× telephoto lens. DxOMark reports improved low-light performance, better noise control, and more balanced detail versus the S25 Ultra as a result of those changes and Samsung's Pro Scaler processing.
CNET and Wired note Samsung's high-resolution ultrawide sensors and expanded pro video tools — the S25 Ultra retains many of the pro workflow benefits from the prior gen — but CNET also warns that some AI-driven camera features are ‘interesting’ yet ‘unreliable’ in practice, so expect best results from manual/pro modes or proven automatic processing.
Refined displays, new thin-edge experiments, and mature foldables
CNET reports that Samsung kept the antireflective display treatment from the S24 Ultra in recent Ultra models, which improves outdoor visibility and feel. PhoneArena highlights the S25 Edge as an ultra-thin experiment and the Z Flip7/Z Fold7 as refined foldable designs that continue to lead that segment.
Wired and PhoneArena call out trade-offs: the S25 Edge pursues thinness at the expense of the mainstream profile, and the foldables prioritize novel form factor and multitasking over the same drop-in camera hardware found on Ultra models — buyers must choose the design that matches their priorities.
Long software support and a mixed AI feature set
Wired notes Samsung promises extended software support across both budget and flagship lines, making Galaxy phones a safer long-term investment for security and OS updates than many Android rivals. That commitment is a consistent advantage called out in cross-model comparisons.
At the same time, CNET documents that Samsung’s expanded AI features on the S25/S25 Ultra generation produce uneven results: some features are compelling, others are inconsistent. Expect core One UI stability with optional AI tools that may not be reliable in every use case.
Wide portfolio fits many needs, but trade-offs are model-specific
PhoneArena and Wired emphasize Samsung's breadth: mainstream S25/S25+, premium S25/S26 Ultra options, experimental S25 Edge, and foldable Z Fold7/Flip7 — plus more affordable A-series models for budget-minded buyers. This breadth means you can prioritize camera hardware, folding screens, or thin form factors without leaving the Galaxy ecosystem.
CNET cautions that Samsung retained some of the previous generation’s less-popular choices even as it added hardware and software features, and DxOMark finds the S26 Ultra still has competitive gaps in a few camera areas versus the newest rivals.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ S25 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite for top-tier sustained performance (CNET)
- ✅ S26 Ultra adds a wider-aperture main camera plus a new 5× telephoto lens, improving low-light detail and noise control (DxOMark)
- ✅ Samsung's Pro Scaler processing improves noise control and balanced detail in low-light images (DxOMark)
- ✅ Antireflective display retained from the S24 Ultra improves outdoor visibility and viewing comfort (CNET)
- ✅ Samsung leads the foldable segment with refined Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 designs (PhoneArena, Wired)
- ✅ Long software and security support commitment across models increases device longevity (Wired)
- ❌ Some new AI camera and software features are inconsistent or unreliable in everyday use (CNET)
- ❌ DxOMark reports there are still measurable gaps versus competitors (iPhone 17 Pro, Motorola Signature) in select camera metrics
- ❌ Samsung carried over a few unpopular design/feature choices from the previous Ultra generation (CNET)
- ❌ Foldable models remain a pricier, more niche choice with form-factor trade-offs rather than direct hardware parity with Ultra phones (Wired, PhoneArena)
How It Compares to the Competition
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro — Stronger ecosystem parity for pro video workflows in some reviewers' comparisons; Samsung matches hardware flexibility but differs in software approach (CNET).
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro — DxOMark used the iPhone 17 Pro as a comparison target; Samsung’s S26 Ultra narrows low-light gaps but still shows differences in some measured camera metrics.
- Google Pixel (current generation) — Wired positions Pixel phones as a favorite Android alternative focused on computational photography and clean Android, while Samsung offers broader hardware choices and longer official support.
- Motorola Signature — DxOMark compared S26 Ultra to the Motorola Signature; the Signature and other rivals sometimes outscore Samsung in isolated camera tests despite Samsung’s hardware upgrades.
Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It
Buy it if: Buy if you want one of the most capable Android hardware packages in 2026: choose an Ultra for pro video and top-end performance (Snapdragon 8 Elite on S25 Ultra), a S26 Ultra if low-light and telephoto reach matter (5× lens and wider aperture), or a Z Fold7/Z Flip7 if you value foldable multitasking and a novel design.
Skip it if: Skip if you need rock-solid, fully mature AI features today — reviewers flagged several AI tools as inconsistent — or if you want the simplest possible camera experience without manually switching to proven auto or pro modes. Budget buyers should consider the A-series alternatives noted by Wired and PhoneArena instead of premium flagships.
Search Purchase Options
Use these links to search for Samsung Galaxy flagships on trusted marketplaces. The links open in new tabs; if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
* Affiliate links: you pay the same price either way.