Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Smartphone vs OnePlus Nord CE 4: Camera, Performance, Battery & Price (India)

The Indian smartphone market in November 2025 is buzzing with two major contenders — the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Smartphone and the OnePlus Nord CE 4. While Samsung’s Ultra series continues to dominate the flagship category, the Nord CE 4 stands out as a powerful mid-range option that delivers exceptional value.

But how do these two devices compare in terms of camera quality, performance, battery endurance, and pricing? Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the premium Galaxy S26 Ultra stacks up against the more affordable yet capable OnePlus Nord CE 4.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Smartphone showcases Samsung’s signature ultra-premium design with an aluminum armor frame, curved Gorilla Glass Armor front, and a sleek matte finish. The phone retains the iconic S-Pen slot and quad-camera array that defines the Ultra series.

In comparison, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 offers a lighter, more minimal design with a flat AMOLED display and polycarbonate frame. It’s slim, ergonomic, and comfortable for one-hand use, ideal for users who prefer practicality over luxury.

While the Samsung feels heavier and more robust, the OnePlus provides superior grip and ease of use. Both are IP-rated for dust and water resistance, though the Galaxy S26 Ultra carries the higher IP68 certification versus IP54 on the Nord CE 4.

Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra looks and feels far more premium, but the Nord CE 4 scores on comfort and weight balance.

Display Quality

The S26 Ultra delivers one of the best displays in the smartphone industry — bright, color-accurate, and smooth with adaptive 120Hz refresh. HDR10+ certification and quad HD+ resolution make it ideal for streaming and gaming.

The Nord CE 4 offers a clean and crisp panel but doesn’t match Samsung’s contrast depth or peak brightness. Still, for its price, the display is excellent and provides an immersive viewing experience.

Verdict: Samsung dominates the display category with unmatched clarity and brightness.

Performance and Processor

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Smartphone runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy, a custom-tuned chipset exclusive to Samsung’s flagships. It pairs with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage, making it a powerhouse for multitasking, gaming, and productivity.

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 uses the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset with up to 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. While it performs well in everyday use and gaming, it’s designed for efficiency rather than raw speed.

Benchmark scores as of November 2025 place the S26 Ultra at over 2 million on AnTuTu, nearly double the 1 million score of the Nord CE 4.

Verdict: The S26 Ultra outperforms in every category, but the Nord CE 4 remains an excellent mid-range performer.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy S26 Ultra clearly leads in photography. Its 200 MP sensor captures incredible detail, while dual telephoto lenses enable versatile zoom ranges. Low-light performance, color accuracy, and stabilization are world-class, making it a content creator’s dream.

The Nord CE 4 delivers balanced daylight photos and decent low-light results, thanks to its large 50 MP Sony sensor. However, it lacks the depth, sharpness, and dynamic range seen on Samsung’s flagship.

Verdict: Samsung is the clear winner for photography and videography.

Battery and Charging

While both devices have identical battery capacities, the Nord CE 4 charges much faster thanks to 100W SuperVOOC technology. The S26 Ultra offers wireless charging and better battery optimization through AI-powered performance management.

Verdict: Nord CE 4 charges faster, Samsung lasts longer and supports wireless charging.

Software and User Experience

The S26 Ultra ships with One UI 7.0 (Android 15), while the Nord CE 4 runs OxygenOS 15 (Android 15). Samsung provides an elegant, feature-rich interface with S-Pen functionality, multitasking modes, and long-term update support (up to 7 years).

OnePlus offers a clean, near-stock Android experience that’s faster and less bloated, appealing to minimalists.

Verdict: Samsung wins for longevity and features; OnePlus wins for simplicity and fluidity.

Price in India (November 2025)

Verdict: The S26 Ultra targets premium buyers, while the Nord CE 4 delivers remarkable value at one-fourth the price.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Smartphone and OnePlus Nord CE 4 cater to entirely different audiences but both excel in their respective categories.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want:

• The best-in-class camera system

• Premium build quality and display

• Long-term software updates and S-Pen functionality

Choose the OnePlus Nord CE 4 if you want:

• Fast charging and reliable performance under ₹35,000

• Lightweight design and clean software

• Excellent value for money

In short, Samsung leads in technology, while OnePlus dominates affordability — two perfect examples of how 5G smartphones are redefining user expectations in November 2025.

FAQs

Which phone has a better camera?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a superior 200 MP quad-camera setup with unmatched zoom and low-light performance.

Which one charges faster?

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 charges fully in under 30 minutes with its 100W SuperVOOC charger.

Which has a better display?

Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X display provides higher brightness, resolution, and HDR performance.

What are the India prices as of November 2025?

The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at ₹1,29,999, while the Nord CE 4 begins around ₹28,999.

Which should I buy?

Buy Samsung for flagship performance and camera mastery; choose OnePlus for speed, value, and clean software.

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