Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra display is brighter but less comfortable than S25 Ultra

Last month, Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series with a fresh design and new features. Several people were excited to try it, expecting it to be more comfortable than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. But some early users noticed a difference in the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s screen that could make long use less comfortable.

A reliable tipster, Tarun Vats, shared a comparison of the two phones. He noticed the Galaxy S26 Ultra screen looks cooler and whiter. The S25 Ultra looks warmer and more natural. Text on the S26 Ultra is sharper but a bit harsh, while text on the S25 Ultra looks smoother and easier to read.

The tipster also saw a difference in screen texture. The S26 Ultra shows more visible pixel grain. The Galaxy S25 Ultra looks cleaner and smoother. The S26 Ultra is also brighter, which can cause glare and make the eyes tired after long use.

Image via Tarunvats

Both phones were tested at 2K resolution with Privacy Mode turned off. This means the differences are probably due to changes in color tuning, panel settings, or how pixels are displayed. Small changes like this can affect how comfortable the screen feels.

It is not clear yet if Samsung can fix this with a software update or if it is because of the hardware. Either way, people who use their phones a lot might notice the difference. Many fans are now waiting to see if Samsung will make updates to improve the screen experience.