For most owners of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in Kenya, the S26 Ultra is not worth the jump. For a buyer coming from an older phone, it is the better buy. At Mascom International in Nairobi, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at KSh 129,000 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at KSh 115,000 (October 2026).
Key facts
- The 256GB Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra costs KSh 14,000 more than the 256GB Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at Mascom International in October 2026.
- The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra charges at 60W wired and 25W wireless, against 45W and 15W on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
- Both phones share a 6.9-inch 120Hz screen, a 200MP main camera, 3x and 5x zoom lenses and a 5,000mAh battery.
- The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra adds a built-in Privacy Display and runs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: side by side
The two phones look alike on paper. The differences sit in charging, the chip, weight, the privacy screen and how long updates last. Prices change often, so the product page always shows today's price.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Mascom price, 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (October 2026) | KSh 129,000 / KSh 149,000 / KSh 190,000 | KSh 115,000 / KSh 128,000 / KSh 170,000 |
| Released | March 2026 | February 2025 |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Wired / wireless charging | 60W / 25W | 45W / 15W |
| Privacy Display | Built in | No |
| Weight and thickness | 214 g, 7.9 mm | 218 g, 8.2 mm |
| Android at launch | Android 16, up to 7 major upgrades | Android 15, up to 7 major upgrades |
Is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra camera better than the S25 Ultra?
On hardware, no. GSMArena lists the same four rear cameras on both phones: a 200MP main camera, a 10MP 3x telephoto, a 50MP 5x periscope and a 50MP ultrawide. The selfie camera is 12MP on both.
That means a wedding in Karen or a product shoot in Westlands will look much the same from either phone. The camera hardware alone gives no reason to switch. If photos are your main reason to upgrade from a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, keep your money.
Which charges faster, the S26 Ultra or the S25 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra charges faster, and this is the clearest everyday win. It takes 60W wired charging, against 45W on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. GSMArena reports the S26 Ultra reaching 75% in 30 minutes on a cable.
That matters when KPLC cuts power in the evening and you have half an hour of light to top up. Wireless charging also rises from 15W to 25W, with Qi2.2 support on the newer phone. Both carry a 5,000mAh battery, so the gain is speed of charging, not a bigger tank.
What is the Privacy Display on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Privacy Display is a screen mode that stops people beside you from reading your screen. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has no version of it. Mascom's own S26 Ultra listing describes it as the first built-in privacy screen on a phone.
Think of opening your bank app or approving an M-Pesa payment on a packed matatu, or in an open-plan office in Upper Hill. The person in the next seat sees a dark panel instead of your balance. For buyers who handle money or client data on their phone, this is the feature that justifies the price gap.
Is the S26 Ultra faster, and how long will updates last?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra runs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, one generation newer than the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Both handle games, 8K video and heavy multitasking without strain, so most owners will not feel a speed gap day to day.
Updates are the longer-term difference. Both get up to seven major Android upgrades, but the S26 Ultra started one version later, on Android 16. That gives it roughly one extra year of updates, which matters if you keep a phone for five years or more.
Who should buy which, and when neither is right
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you are coming from a Galaxy S22 Ultra, S23 Ultra or an older phone. Buy it too if the Privacy Display or 60W charging solves a real daily problem for you. The 512GB model at KSh 149,000 is the version Kenyan buyers view most on our site.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want the same cameras and screen for less. The 256GB model saves KSh 14,000, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB clean international import costs KSh 100,000, with the S Pen included.
Keep your current phone if you already own a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and neither the privacy screen nor faster charging changes your day. Prices may also climb: Tech-ish reported in October 2026 that Samsung raised Galaxy S26 series prices by USD 100 as memory costs rose. Our post on memory demand explains why. You can compare every model on our Samsung page.
Common questions
Should I upgrade from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to the S26 Ultra?
Most Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra owners in Kenya should wait. The cameras, screen size and 5,000mAh battery are the same on both phones. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra adds 60W charging, a built-in Privacy Display, a newer Snapdragon chip and about one more year of Android updates. Upgrade only if the privacy screen or faster charging fixes a daily problem for you.
How much is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in Kenya?
At Mascom International in October 2026, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra costs KSh 129,000 for 256GB with 12GB RAM, KSh 149,000 for 512GB with 12GB RAM, and KSh 190,000 for 1TB with 16GB RAM. All three are in stock in Nairobi. Prices move with exchange rates and memory costs, so check the product page for today's figure.
Will the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra work on Safaricom and Airtel 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Mascom stocks is the international SM-S948B/DS dual-SIM model. GSMArena lists the same 18 international 5G bands for it as for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, including n78. So 5G support is not a reason to upgrade. Whatever 5G your S25 Ultra gets on your Safaricom or Airtel Kenya line, the S26 Ultra gets too.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for buyers who want top-end cameras for less. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra keeps the same 200MP main camera, 5x periscope zoom and 6.9-inch screen as the newer model. It started on Android 15 with up to seven major upgrades, so it has years of updates left. At Mascom it starts at KSh 115,000, or KSh 100,000 for a clean international import.
Where can I buy a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in Nairobi and pay on delivery?
Mascom International sells the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at Old Mutual Building, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD. You can walk in, call or WhatsApp +254 708 852 521, or order at www.mascomintl.com. We deliver to all 47 counties and you pay on arrival. Nairobi orders arrive the same day.
Where to buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and S25 Ultra in Kenya
Both phones are on display at Mascom International, Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD. We open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, so you can hold both side by side before you choose. Phone/WhatsApp: +254 708 852 521. Email: info@mascomintl.com. Website: www.mascomintl.com. Browse more models in our phones category.
We deliver to all 47 counties with pay-on-arrival. Nairobi and its environs get same-day delivery, and other major cities and towns get delivery in 1 business day. Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Lamu, Tana River, and Turkana receive delivery within 2-3 business days.
Sources
- GSMArena: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra full specifications, for release dates, chip, cameras, charging, weight and 5G bands.
- GSMArena: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra full specifications, for the same figures on the older model.
- Tech-ish: Galaxy S26 series price rise, on Samsung's October 2026 price increase linked to memory costs.
