I reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and it's so much better than all the drama
I reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and it's so much better than all the drama Review Highlight
Editor's Rating
Pros
- ✓Excellent display
- ✓Powerful performance
- ✓Advanced camera system
- ✓Long battery life
- ✓Premium build quality
- ✓Smooth 120Hz refresh rate
- ✓Fast charging support
- ✓High-quality stereo speakers
- ✓Strong AI features
- ✓Water and dust resistance
Cons
- ✗Expensive pricing
- ✗Large and heavy design
- ✗No charger in the box
- ✗Battery charging could be faster
- ✗Limited design changes
- ✗Can get warm during gaming
- ✗Pre-installed apps included
- ✗Ultra model may feel bulky
I reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and it's so much better than all the drama Full Review
What should have been a triumphant period around the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has instead been mired in controversy, as the tightly controlled Samsung marketing machine slowly lost control of the narrative.
The points raised can’t be ignored, but have they ruined the phone, or sufficiently dampened enthusiasm around its biggest release of the year so far? It’s a concern, but after two weeks with the phone, I’ve discovered they’re probably unfounded, as this is an absolute monster of a phone.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is available to buy now through Samsung’s online store, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and most major carriers around the world.
It’s available in three configurations. The 256GB model is $1,300, the 512GB is $1,500, and the 1TB version is $1,800. While the base model hasn’t changed in price, the higher capacity models are slightly more expensive than the equivalent S25 Ultra models.
There are six colors in all. The Cobalt Violet (seen in our photos), Sky Blue, white, and black versions are available everywhere, while the Silver Shadow and Pink Gold options are Samsung exclusives.
The phone’s primary competitor is the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. For those only wanting an Android phone, alternatives include the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, the OnePlus 15, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and the Honor Magic8 Pro.
Display & Outlook
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature a premium 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with QHD+ resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colors, deep contrast, and excellent outdoor visibility. Rumors suggest Samsung may introduce thinner bezels, improved anti-reflective protection, and a new “Privacy Display” technology that limits side-angle viewing for better security in public places. (TechRadar)
In terms of outlook, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to continue Samsung’s premium design language with a slim titanium frame, curved edges, and a refined camera layout. The phone may also feature stronger Gorilla Glass protection and a lighter build for improved comfort during daily use. Combined with Samsung’s elegant finish and ultra-modern appearance, the device is likely to stand out as one of the most premium flagship smartphones of 2026. (Tom's Guide)
Display Quality
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to deliver one of the best display experiences in the flagship smartphone segment. Its Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is likely to offer ultra-sharp QHD+ resolution, deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast levels for an immersive viewing experience. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate should ensure smooth scrolling, responsive gaming, and fluid animations while optimizing battery efficiency.
Samsung may also improve peak brightness for better outdoor visibility, making the screen easier to use under direct sunlight. HDR10+ support is expected to enhance streaming quality with richer colors and improved dynamic range. The display could feature advanced anti-reflective coating and stronger Gorilla Glass protection for improved durability and reduced glare.
Whether watching videos, gaming, editing photos, or browsing social media, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to provide premium display quality with highly accurate color reproduction and flagship-level visual performance.
Software Experience
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to deliver a highly refined software experience with Samsung’s latest One UI interface based on Android 16/17. The device focuses heavily on AI-powered features, smoother animations, improved multitasking, and deeper ecosystem integration. Samsung’s updated Galaxy AI tools can assist with photo editing, call screening, real-time translations, smart summaries, and productivity tasks, making daily usage faster and more intuitive. (Samsung Global Newsroom)
One UI is also expected to offer cleaner visuals, enhanced customization, upgraded privacy controls, and better battery optimization. Features like improved DeX mode, smarter notifications, and advanced accessibility settings further enhance the premium user experience. Samsung is likely to continue its long-term software support policy, ensuring multiple years of Android and security updates for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. (Android Central)
Camera Quality
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to deliver flagship-level camera performance with a powerful and versatile quad-camera setup. It is likely to feature a 200MP main sensor with a wider aperture, allowing it to capture more light for brighter, sharper, and more detailed photos, especially in low-light conditions. The large sensor combined with advanced image processing helps produce images with strong dynamic range and natural color tones.
The phone is also expected to include ultra-wide and dual telephoto lenses, including a 5x optical zoom camera and improved AI-based digital zoom, enabling highly detailed shots even from long distances. This makes it suitable for landscape, portrait, and professional-style photography.
In terms of video, the S26 Ultra is expected to excel with stable 4K and possibly 8K recording, enhanced stabilization, and better motion tracking. Samsung’s computational photography and AI features further improve night photography, skin tones, and overall clarity.
Overall, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera system focuses on versatility, consistency, and professional-grade output across different lighting and shooting conditions.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to deliver top-tier flagship performance, powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset (in most regions), paired with up to 16GB RAM and ultra-fast UFS 4.1 storage. This combination makes the device extremely powerful for gaming, multitasking, and heavy productivity use.
Early benchmark leaks suggest the S26 Ultra achieves very high Geekbench scores, showing a noticeable improvement in both single-core and multi-core performance compared to its predecessor. This results in faster app launches, smoother system animations, and significantly improved AI processing capabilities. (Gadgets 360)
In real-world usage, the phone is designed to handle demanding tasks like 4K/8K video editing, console-level gaming, and advanced Galaxy AI features without lag. Samsung has also focused on improving thermal efficiency, allowing sustained performance over long sessions rather than short performance bursts.
Overall, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is positioned as one of the most powerful Android smartphones, balancing raw speed with better efficiency and smarter AI-driven performance.
