Wait! Don't Buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This Cheaper Phone Is Just as Good
Key takeaways
- The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is packed with top tech, from its impressive cameras to its innovative Privacy Display, which actually works as well as the company boasted it would.
- Last year's Galaxy S25 Ultra has many of the same specs, almost identical software features and you can pick it up used for around $720 on Gazelle -- a whopping savings over the original.
- It's actually extraordinary how much less the S25 Ultra costs when buying a used one, especially when you consider just how similar it is to the latest model.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is packed with top tech, from its impressive cameras to its innovative Privacy Display, which actually works as well as the company boasted it would. It's no surprise though that Samsung wants a lot of cash from you in order to get one into your pocket. At $1,300 ( 1,279) it's a huge amount for most of us to consider, especially when purse strings are continuing to tighten.
But there is a cheaper option. Last year's Galaxy S25 Ultra has many of the same specs, almost identical software features and you can pick it up used for around $720 on Gazelle -- a whopping savings over the original.
It's actually extraordinary how much less the S25 Ultra costs when buying a used one, especially when you consider just how similar it is to the latest model. Sure, you won't get the new Privacy Display, but the camera performance is similar, the displays are the same size and resolution and both have 5,000-mAh batteries. The S26 Ultra is mostly an iterative upgrade over its predecessor, but you'll have to shell out almost twice as much for it. Of course, if you're selling your S25 Ultra then that amount of depreciation really sucks. But if you're looking to upgrade from an older phone, then you have yourself a bargain on a high-end device.