The smartphone market in November 2025 is packed with new releases, but two names stand out among Indian buyers — the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Launch and the OnePlus Nord CE 4. Samsung’s newest flagship leads the premium category with cutting-edge AI and hardware, while the OnePlus Nord CE 4 continues to dominate the mid-range market with efficient performance and quick charging.
If you’re planning to upgrade this month and are torn between these two devices, here’s a detailed, no-nonsense comparison covering camera performance, processing power, battery life, display, and pricing to help you make the best buying decision.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Launch is an evolution of Samsung’s timeless Ultra design — sleek, boxy, and built with premium materials. Its Armor Aluminum frame, matte Gorilla Glass Armor finish, and integrated S-Pen slot give it an unmistakable flagship feel. The curved edges and refined grip make it elegant yet professional.
The OnePlus Nord CE 4, in contrast, keeps things minimalist and lightweight. Its flat AMOLED display and curved rear edges provide comfort during prolonged use. It’s made primarily of high-quality polycarbonate with a matte finish, making it smudge-resistant. While not as luxurious as the S26 Ultra, it scores well for ergonomics.
Both devices are dust- and water-resistant, but Samsung offers a higher IP68 rating, while the Nord CE 4 carries IP54 certification, good enough for light splashes.
Verdict: Samsung offers luxury and durability; OnePlus focuses on comfort and practicality.
Display and Multimedia Experience
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Launch | OnePlus Nord CE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | AMOLED |
| Size | 6.8 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Refresh Rate | Adaptive 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Resolution | QHD+ (3088×1440) | FHD+ (2412×1080) |
| Brightness | 2600 nits | 1100 nits |
The S26 Ultra’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is among the best in the world, boasting superior brightness and color accuracy. HDR10+ support and adaptive refresh rate ensure fluid motion and vivid visuals, ideal for gaming and movie streaming.
Meanwhile, the Nord CE 4 provides a sharp and bright AMOLED panel at its price point. It’s responsive, smooth, and immersive, though the color depth and brightness don’t match Samsung’s flagship standards.
Verdict: Samsung easily wins the display segment with richer visuals and peak brightness.
Processor and Performance
Under the hood, the Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Launch runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy — an exclusive, slightly overclocked chipset tuned for Samsung. Paired with up to 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, it delivers unbeatable performance across gaming, AI tasks, and multitasking.
The OnePlus Nord CE 4, powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, is built for balance. It’s responsive in daily use and performs well in mid-level gaming and multitasking scenarios. However, it doesn’t reach flagship-level performance.
Benchmark scores as of November 2025 confirm this gap — the S26 Ultra averages 2 million on AnTuTu, while the Nord CE 4 hits around 1 million.
Verdict: The S26 Ultra is a performance beast; the Nord CE 4 is smooth and efficient for its segment.
Camera Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Launch | OnePlus Nord CE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Main Sensor | 200 MP (OIS) | 50 MP Sony IMX890 (OIS) |
| Ultra-Wide | 12 MP | 8 MP |
| Telephoto | Dual (10 MP + 10 MP, 10x optical) | 2 MP macro |
| Front Camera | 40 MP | 16 MP |
| Video Recording | 8K @ 30fps | 4K @ 30fps |
The Galaxy S26 Ultra continues Samsung’s dominance in mobile photography. Its 200 MP primary sensor captures remarkable detail, and the dual telephoto lenses handle up to 10x optical and 100x digital zoom with clarity. The color processing is natural, while night mode produces sharp, noise-free results.
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 impresses for its price, delivering well-exposed photos with good color accuracy. The Sony sensor ensures balanced daylight shots, but low-light performance can’t match the S26 Ultra’s AI-enhanced imaging.
Verdict: Samsung offers professional-grade photography; OnePlus remains great for casual users.
Battery Life and Charging
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Launch | OnePlus Nord CE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging Speed | 45W wired, 15W wireless | 100W wired |
| Charging Time (0–100%) | ~55 minutes | ~27 minutes |
The S26 Ultra focuses on long-term endurance with AI-based power management and wireless charging convenience. Its Adaptive Power Saving intelligently balances performance to extend screen-on time by up to 12%.
The Nord CE 4, however, wins on charging speed — the 100W SuperVOOC system fills the battery in under 30 minutes. For users who prioritize quick top-ups, this is a major plus.
Verdict: OnePlus charges faster, but Samsung delivers better optimization and wireless flexibility.
Software Experience
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Launch comes with One UI 7 (Android 15). The interface is rich in features such as multitasking windows, S-Pen tools, and deep customization. Samsung guarantees 7 years of updates, making it one of the longest-supported Android devices globally.
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 runs OxygenOS 15 (Android 15). It’s lighter, cleaner, and faster, with fewer pre-installed apps. OnePlus promises 3 years of Android updates and 4 years of security patches.
Verdict: Samsung provides more features and longevity; OnePlus offers speed and simplicity.
Price in India (November 2025)
| Model | Variant | Price (India) |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Launch | 12 GB + 256 GB | ₹1,29,999 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Launch | 16 GB + 512 GB | ₹1,44,999 |
| OnePlus Nord CE 4 | 8 GB + 128 GB | ₹28,999 |
| OnePlus Nord CE 4 | 12 GB + 256 GB | ₹32,999 |
The difference is massive — but so is the audience. Samsung targets flagship enthusiasts, while OnePlus focuses on delivering premium essentials at an affordable price.
Verdict: Samsung justifies its cost with hardware excellence; OnePlus offers unbeatable value under ₹35,000.
Final Verdict
Both smartphones shine in their respective categories this November 2025.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G Launch if you want:
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Flagship-level camera performance
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Longer update support and premium materials
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S-Pen, wireless charging, and advanced AI features
Choose the OnePlus Nord CE 4 if you prefer:
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A budget-friendly 5G device with fast charging
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Smooth, minimalist OxygenOS experience
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Excellent everyday performance for under ₹35,000
In short, Samsung leads in innovation, while OnePlus wins on practicality — two solid choices for very different user needs.
FAQs
Which phone has a better camera system?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a superior 200 MP quad-camera setup, outperforming the Nord CE 4 in both detail and zoom.
Which device charges faster?
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 takes the lead with its 100W SuperVOOC fast charging, reaching full charge in under 30 minutes.
Which offers better software updates?
Samsung promises 7 years of Android and security updates, while OnePlus offers 3 years of Android updates.
What is the price difference in India?
The S26 Ultra starts at ₹1,29,999, whereas the Nord CE 4 starts around ₹28,999.
Which should I buy in November 2025?
If you want flagship power and professional photography, choose Samsung. For performance on a budget, OnePlus Nord CE 4 is unbeatable.
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