You’d be forgiven for thinking that, if you want to play games on the go, the more powerful handset, the better. Whilst there’s a lot of truth in that, it’s not always quite that straightforward, depending on what it is you have in mind. There’s several key factors to consider when choosing a handset that suits your needs, so let’s take a look at them now and see which Samsung Handset might be right for you.
Improved Performance
Of the Samsung handsets here, there’s no denying that the Galaxy S26 Ultra has the best there is to offer in terms of processing power. The S26 Ultra’s “Gen 5” version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor previously found on the Fold 7 and S25 Ultra offers improvements of 19%, 24% and 39% for the CPU, GPU and NPU respectively. It also has a much improved vapor chamber offering a 21% improvement on thermal performance. That provides better cooling during long matches, which ultimately means more stable performance at higher settings for longer.
So if something like PUBG MOBILE is what you have in mind, the S26 Ultra’s newer hardware is the way to go, whereas if you’re more likely to be using your handset for simpler casual or puzzle games, you’d probably be more than happy with the lighter, and cheaper, S26 base model.
Screen Size
Meanwhile the Fold 7’s obvious advantage in this battle is the increased real estate of that 8” 6:5 form factor. That almost-square screen is invaluable in games like Diablo Immortal where the isometric viewpoint benefits from giving you additional visibility in all four directions. It’s also highly helpful with games like Night Crows, where a complex UI with lots of menus and icons can feel far less cluttered with the increased space available. Even a more cartoon-y game like Brawl Stars can benefit, as the larger screen means your hands aren’t getting in the way, blocking your view of the frantic action.
By contrast, games like Call Of Duty mobile benefit from the wider aspect ratio of the S26 Ultra, meaning you’re more likely to see enemies in your peripheral vision that might otherwise be chopped off.
Screen Quality
Size isn’t everything though. The S26 Ultra has a pixel density of approximately 500ppi (pixels per inch) as opposed to approx 370ppi on the Fold 7. That’s still more than enough for most things, but the higher pixel count on the S26 Ultra does mean that you’re more likely to be able to pick out distant targets in complex environments on titles like Arena Breakout or Delta Force Mobile.
Battery
All of Samsung’s devices have long-lasting batteries and many ‘under the hood’ AI-assists¹ that improve and elongate how much time you can eke out of each battery charge. That being said, the S26 Ultra ultimately benefits from the latest AI improvements and, crucially, can charge up to 75% in just 30 minutes², meaning you can get back to gaming quicker than ever before.
Conclusion
Samsung state that all their current handsets have been designed with gamers in mind, utilising innovations in display design and A.I. assistance. That being said, unless you’re looking at a more casual gaming experience where the base S26 model is a solid choice, the S26 Ultra is probably the handset to pick for the most intensive gaming experience, with the caveat that the Fold 7 is more suited to the types of games that benefit from additional screen real-estate. Plus, the S26 Ultra also has that all-new privacy display³ that prevents those near you from seeing what you’ve got on screen, if you want to keep your gaming to yourself when you’re on the go.
¹Samsung account login is required for certain AI features. Galaxy AI features are provided for free. Future releases may include additional advanced features that are offered as part of a paid subscription plan. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties.
²60W Power Adapter sold separately
³Requires manual activation in settings to function. Privacy Display feature is not AI-powered.