Samsung has been using a proven formula for its S-series flagships since 2024: combining a screen improvement with a more powerful processor, a thinner design, new (sometimes questionable) AI features, and better cameras. The latest Galaxy S26 Ultra follows this exact script.
While it's not a revolutionary update compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the formula seems to work once again. Features like the Privacy Display, faster charging, and Horizontal Lock significantly improve the user experience.
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
- ✅ Privacy Display: Truly unique and practical — built-in and customizable per app.
- ✅ Performance & Battery: Balanced efficiency with 60W wired charging (75% in 30 minutes).
- ✅ Software Support: Seven years of updates with One UI 8.5 (Android 16).
- ❌ AI Tools: Plenty of features, but inconsistent in execution.
- ❌ Camera: Excellent, but the gap with competitors is narrowing.
- ❌ No Qi2 Magnets: A notable omission for wireless charging enthusiasts.
A Large Phone That Feels Light
Samsung continues to reduce the weight and thickness of its premium lineup. The S26 Ultra weighs just 214 grams — 4 grams lighter than its predecessor — with a slim 7.9mm profile, thinner than both the S25 Ultra (8.2mm) and the iPhone 17 Pro Max (8.75mm). If you want a 6.9-inch screen without the bulk, this is the thinnest and lightest in its class.
The Best Display on a Phone
The 6.9-inch AMOLED display (120Hz, 3120×1440) is protected by Corning's anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2. What sets it apart is Samsung's built-in Privacy Display — unlike third-party screen protectors, it's integrated and can be activated selectively for specific apps like banking or messaging, showing only a black rectangle to anyone viewing from the side.
Performance & Battery
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, the phone is incredibly fast and responsive. Despite keeping the same 5,000 mAh battery, efficiency improvements allow it to last a full day with around 25% remaining by bedtime. Wired charging has been bumped to 60W, reaching 75% in just 30 minutes.
AI: Plenty of Features, Some Inconsistency
- Now Nudge: Real-time suggestions based on your screen content.
- Audio Eraser: Reduce crowd noise in third-party app videos.
- Bixby: Updated to help find settings, though still inconsistent.
- Document Scan: Automatically removes shadows and wrinkles from scanned documents.
Cameras: Good, But Facing Tough Competition
The camera system features a 200MP main sensor (f/1.4) and a 50MP 5x optical telephoto lens (f/2.9). A standout addition is the Horizontal Lock (GoPro-style), keeping video perfectly level regardless of how you hold the phone. Image quality is excellent with great dynamic range and faithful skin tones — but the competitive gap is clearly shrinking.
Is it worth upgrading from the S25 Ultra? No. But does the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offer one of the best mobile experiences available today? Absolutely — it remains the most versatile and polished Android flagship on the market. 📱🏆