Inside the Galaxy S26 Ultra Speed Test
On paper, every Galaxy S Ultra generation promises more power, but a recent Galaxy S26 Ultra speed test set out to measure how those specs translate into real-world performance. Tech channel PhoneBuff compared Samsung’s newest flagship against five earlier S Ultra models in an extended smartphone performance benchmark. Instead of focusing on synthetic scores alone, the test cycled through a demanding script of everyday and pro-level tasks, from launching apps and games to handling heavy workloads like AI processing. This approach highlights how quickly each device can complete a complex series of actions rather than just peak numbers. For buyers debating a flagship processor upgrade, this kind of Galaxy S Ultra comparison is more meaningful than spec sheets, because it exposes how the chip, RAM, cooling, and software optimizations work together to affect actual speed and responsiveness in daily use.
How Each Galaxy S Ultra Generation Performed
The full lap times tell a clear story of gradual but steady gains. At the back of the pack, the Galaxy S21 Ultra with its Snapdragon 888 and 12GB RAM finished the test in 6 minutes and 53 seconds. Surprisingly close behind, the Galaxy S22 Ultra with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 12GB RAM clocked in at 6 minutes and 56 seconds, suggesting thermal limits and tuning held it back. Performance jumped with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which used a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 but just 8GB RAM, cutting the run to 6 minutes and 28 seconds. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, pairing Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 12GB RAM, delivered a much bigger leap at 5 minutes and 1 second. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite pushed that down to 4 minutes and 52 seconds, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 set the pace at 4 minutes and 42 seconds.
Where the Galaxy S26 Ultra Raises the Bar
Despite Samsung holding RAM at 12GB on most Galaxy S Ultra flagships, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, stronger GPU, and improved NPU give it a measurable edge. The PhoneBuff results show the smallest gaps between the three most recent generations, yet the S26 Ultra still finishes first, extending its lead particularly in ultra-taxing segments like running AI models and complex graphical tasks. In these smartphone performance benchmarks, milliseconds add up, especially when many apps, background processes, and on-device AI features are involved. Better cooling and a more refined operating system also help the S26 Ultra sustain high performance instead of throttling under load. The outcome is not just a faster lap time, but a phone that feels more responsive under pressure, from multitasking to AI-driven photo editing and productivity workflows.
Is the Upgrade Worth It for Older S Ultra Owners?
For anyone still using a Galaxy S21 Ultra or S22 Ultra, the Galaxy S26 Ultra represents a substantial flagship processor upgrade. Cutting more than two minutes from the total test time compared with the S21 Ultra translates into snappier app launches, smoother heavy multitasking, and far quicker completion of intensive tasks like AI model processing. Owners of a Galaxy S23 Ultra will also notice improvements, but the gains are more evolutionary than transformational, while Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra users will see only modest real-world differences, as the speed test showed relatively small deltas between these newer generations. Still, power users who care about every fraction of a second—or who rely heavily on AI features—will appreciate the S26 Ultra’s refinements. With retailers currently offering the device at USD 250 (approx. RM1,150) off, the performance jump may be easier to justify for those coming from older S Ultra models.