Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

MSRP $1,299.99

“A prime example of premium smartphone design.”

Pros

Smooth daily operation
Privacy display performs reliably
Outstanding stylus handling
Strong low-light photography
Robust construction with refined appearance
Faster charging is a plus
Extended software updates
Safe on-device AI features

Cons

Battery size sees no increase
Lacks magnetic wireless charging
Cameras require further adjustments
Some warmth and performance limits
AI features remain underwhelming
High price point
Privacy Display reduces efficiency
Improved water resistance rating would help

Quick review

The Galaxy S26 Ultra ranks as the strongest overall Android handset tested this year. Success comes not from one major highlight but from solid results in nearly every area plus distinctive extras. At $1,300 the cost remains steep. After four months as my sole device nothing else in Android matches its range of strengths. Samsung swapped the titanium frame for lighter and more vivid Armor Aluminum while softening the sharp edges that once dug into my palm.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs: What’s inside this sleek flagship?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra design and build: A deceptively sleek behemoth

Many brands now favor titanium frames yet Samsung returned to aluminum which seems like a downgrade at first glance. It is not. Time with the Armor Aluminum 2 frame showed the choice was sound. Aluminum accepts color anodization better than titanium coatings so the shades here stand out vividly.

Options include Cobalt Violet tested here as the featured tone along with Sky Blue White Black and exclusive Silver Shadow plus Pink Gold. Aluminum also sheds heat faster than titanium. Past experience with the iPhone 16 Pro confirmed this difference.

Combined with the vapor chamber the aluminum body prevented excessive warmth during heavy use. This was clear during long video editing sessions that usually warm metal phones noticeably. The device stayed only mildly warm.

The ergonomics improve noticeably.

Samsung addressed a long-standing issue with its flagship models. The sharp corners that pressed into palms are now rounded. The subtle curves on the S26 Ultra alter the feel completely. It seems slimmer and simpler to handle one-handed. After a week cases became unnecessary unlike with the previous Ultra.

The camera module still protrudes roughly half a centimeter so the phone can tilt on flat surfaces without a case. This remains the unchanged ergonomic trade-off tied to advancing camera hardware.

Durability and ingress protection

The front uses Corning Gorilla Armor 2 with ceramic for improved drop protection and reduced glare. The rear is Gorilla Glass Victus 2. No intentional drops occurred yet the phone showed no micro-scratches after months of bag storage with keys and chargers outperforming many tested devices.

The IP68 rating persists allowing brief submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Stronger ratings like IP69 appear on some rivals for pressurized water protection. The OnePlus 15 achieves this without visual compromise. Samsung stays cautious here. IP68 suffices for most users and the build feels solid though the spec no longer leads the category.

The S Pen experience

The S Pen sits in its silo at the bottom left. It is slightly thinner with a curved tip that aligns with the updated frame. Core functions remain similar after earlier removal of Bluetooth features. Air gestures for remote shutter are gone which is a minor loss for some users.

The stylus remains the finest available on any phone. Latency stays near zero during note taking sketching or precise photo edits. Direct access from the lock screen allows quick notes without unlocking steps.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra display: Two steps forward, one step back

The display is a 6.9-inch flat Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel with QHD+ resolution of 3120 x 1440 at 500 ppi and a variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. Peak HDR brightness reaches 2,600 nits for clear outdoor viewing. An anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 layer helps further. Photos reviewed under bright sun stayed readable without glare issues common on other screens.

Let’s talk about that Privacy Display

This hardware feature defines the S26 Ultra. It avoids external films that reduce clarity. Narrow-beam pixels interlace with standard ones at the sub-pixel level. Activation turns off wide-view pixels so side viewers see near darkness while the direct user sees normal content. Controls allow constant use or app-specific triggers for banking tools or notifications.

Daily use made it a valued addition. Crowded transit allowed message replies without concern for nearby glances. The feature altered habits rather than remaining unused in menus.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though

Three drawbacks accompany the Privacy Display. Natural viewing angles narrow slightly even when off due to the pixel layout noticeable mainly when sharing the screen. Maximum privacy mode reduces brightness and contrast making blacks appear less deep. The panel is 8-bit with FRC for simulated 10-bit output which may concern enthusiasts at this price. No high-frequency PWM dimming exists so sensitive users might notice flicker at low brightness during extended dark reading.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra camera: Legacy preserved with extra oomph

The quad camera setup appears similar yet aperture and processing updates bring real low-light gains. This area received the most attention since cameras often decide if flagships deliver value. The S Ultra line has long positioned itself as a device that replaces dedicated cameras.

The 200MP main sensor carries the load. The f/1.4 aperture upgrade from f/1.7 on the prior model draws more light for darker conditions. Low-light tests showed preserved shadow detail with less noise reliance compared to last year. Daylight results stay close to prior models with clean 12MP default shots. Full 200MP mode offers extreme crop detail on static scenes though 12MP versions can appear sharper overall.

The wider aperture shines in mixed lighting such as indoor venues or dusk streets where earlier models lost detail. Results justify the flagship positioning for many users.