Is the S26 Ultra worth upgrading from the S25 Ultra given the camera and cooling updates?

As the pair of videos builds the case, upgrading to the S26 Ultra is worth it mainly if you want noticeably better low-light capture, faster charging, and cooler sustained performance. JerryRigEverything highlights the camera and cooling overhaul, noting a 37% increase in light reaching the sensor thanks to the All Lenses On Prism design, a 50 MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 21% boost in thermal performance from a larger vapor chamber. He also points out that charging can hit 60W with dual adapters, which helps when you’re pushing the battery with heavy use. Unbox Therapy reinforces the practical upsides: the S26 Ultra supports up to 1 TB storage and up to 16 GB RAM, a more capable privacy display, and the updated S Pen docking and hardware. Taken together, the Ultra’s camera-lighting improvement, higher sustained cooling, and faster charging create tangible benefits for serious photographers and power users; casual users might still be fine with the S25 Ultra if they’re satisfied with its performance. If you want longer peak performance in demanding apps and noticeably better low-light zoom, the upgrade makes sense; if your photo/video needs are mostly casual and you’re happy with current results, the S25 Ultra remains strong.

• JerryRigEverything points out that the S26 Ultra gains 37% more light capture via the All Lenses On Prism (ALOP) design, improving the periscope/telephoto performance.
• JerryRigEverything notes the vapor chamber is 15% larger and delivers about a 21% boost in thermal performance, addressing sustained use cooling.
• Unbox Therapy highlights the S26 Ultra offering up to 1 TB storage and up to 16 GB RAM, plus the updated S Pen docking and 60W charging, which together enhance power-user value.
• Unbox Therapy mentions practical features like the privacy display mode and high-refresh, bright displays, and Dex compatibility as part of the overall package.
• Together, these videos argue that the upgrade is most compelling for users who need better low-light camera performance, improved sustained cooling for heavy use, and faster charging; otherwise, the S25 Ultra remains a capable device.