Galaxy S26 Ultra vs 13 Ultra

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Lifespan decides this one: the Galaxy S26 Ultra is supported until Mar 2033 at $13.62 per month of safe use, while the 13 Ultra runs out in Apr 2028 ($29.59/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Galaxy S26 Ultra 77 · 13 Ultra 62 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra $1099

Safe to buy$13.62/mo

2026◆ Buy-by Mar 20312033

Xiaomi 13 Ultra $650

Buy with care$29.59/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Apr 20262028

Category by category

Display

Galaxy S26 Ultra 10013 Ultra 90

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.9-inch dynamic ltpo amoled 2x, qhd+, 1–120hz, up to 2600 nits, with anti-reflective privacy display.

Performance

Galaxy S26 Ultra 10013 Ultra 85

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Galaxy S26 Ultra 9613 Ultra 91

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera system — same lens count, higher-grade sensors.

Battery

Galaxy S26 Ultra 8013 Ultra 80

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity

Galaxy S26 Ultra 9613 Ultra 26

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is supported until Mar 2033 — 59 months longer than the 13 Ultra.

Value

Galaxy S26 Ultra 7713 Ultra 62

Overall value goes to the Galaxy S26 Ultra at $13.62 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Galaxy S26 Ultra	13 Ultra
Price (street)	$1099	$650
Display	6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 1–120Hz, up to 2600 nits, with anti-reflective Privacy Display	6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED, 3200 x 1440, 120Hz
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM	12GB	12GB/16GB
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	60W wired, 25W wireless	90W wired, 50W wireless
Rear cameras	200MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 50MP telephoto 5x periscope	50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto 3.2x, 50MP periscope telephoto 5x
Dimensions	163.6 × 78.1 × 7.9 mm	163.2 × 74.6 × 9.1 mm
Weight	214 g	227 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Mar 2033	Apr 2028

Galaxy S26 Ultra full verdict →13 Ultra full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.