The Future of Smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Review

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra looks a lot like the last four models. That’s because it does, right down to its general design and rear camera layout. But on Samsung’s latest flagship phone, some stealthy upgrades are hidden beneath its classic blocky silhouette that might go unnoticed by the casual observer. Those help make this year’s release feel like a better deal than its most recent predecessor. It remains rather expensive, starting at the same $1,300 as before, but considering the price of RAM these days, that almost feels like a blessing. So while it won’t hit you over the head with monumental changes year over year, it’s subtly one of the best Ultras we’ve gotten in the past half-decade.

Samsung / Engadget

While the S26 Ultra might not wow you with a ton of major improvements, it brings subtle upgrades across the board along with a new standout display for anyone who cares about privacy.

Pros

• Superb Privacy Display
• Great performance
• Strong battery life
• Wider aperture for main and 5x telephoto lenses

Cons

• Expensive
• S-Pen is unchanged
• No built-in magnetic ring for Qi2 accessories

Design: Back to aluminum

After dabbling with titanium frames on the last two Ultras, Samsung returned to aluminum for 2026. The company says this makes it easier to color-match the phone’s chassis to the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 panels on the front and back, though it’s incredibly difficult to see the impact on my black review unit. Elsewhere, the company shaved a few grams off its total weight and a few millimeters off its thickness (7.9mm and 214 grams), but even when directly comparing the new model to last year’s S25 Ultra (8.2mm and 218 grams), that difference is basically imperceptible. I almost think the S26 Ultra’s extra sleekness was just so that people would stop saying the Z Fold 7 is lighter than Samsung’s most premium traditional candybar-style handset.

As always, there’s a built-in storage slot for Samsung’s S-Pen, which is essentially a carbon copy of what we got last year without any functional changes. However, because the phone’s corners are more rounded than ever, one small peculiarity is that now there’s a right and wrong way to insert it. No matter what you do, the stylus will stay put, but if you don’t align the curve on the end of the S-Pen with the shape of the phone’s corner, it just doesn’t look right.

Display: Now with more privacy

The S26 Ultra’s 6.9-inch screen is easily its most undercover upgrade because it sports essentially the same specs as last year. You still get 2,600 nits of peak brightness with a variable 120Hz refresh rate and a max resolution of 3,120 x 1,440. The secret is that with the touch of a button, you can activate Samsung’s Privacy Display, which effectively stops others from spying on your screen when viewed from acute angles (both from the side and up and down).

When you turn the Privacy Display on and look at the phone less than head-on, everything sort of fades to black. Depending on the angle, you may still see an outline of UI elements and some bright spots depending on your content, but the wider you go, the fainter things get. The way it works is that the phone has two sets of subpixels, narrow and wide, the latter of which get turned off when the feature is active.

For those truly concerned about privacy, there’s an additional layer of security called Maximum Privacy Protection that essentially turns everything on your Galaxy S26 Ultra display gray. While this may make it harder for anyone to snoop on your screen, there are some trade-offs to consider.

Even with Maximum Privacy Protection activated, some faint details may still be visible, but it would be extremely difficult for anyone to extract any usable information from your screen. The contrast and luminance of the display are noticeably reduced in this mode, which may not be worth it for some users.

Fortunately, there is a third option where the phone can selectively activate Privacy Display under specific conditions. For example, it can automatically turn on when you receive notifications, open certain apps, or when you need to enter a PIN, pattern, or password. This feature is a powerful tool to prevent others from accessing sensitive information while you’re out and about.

In terms of performance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, with improved AI capabilities for enhanced features. The processor offers modest gains in processing speed, with a 19 percent improvement in CPU performance and a 24 percent boost in GPU performance compared to its predecessor.

Samsung has also introduced new AI-powered tools, such as Photo Assist, which simplifies editing and content creation. With natural language text prompts, you can generate new elements in your photos, like adding hats to pets, making it a versatile tool for creative tasks. Samsung’s Creative Studio is also available, providing a platform for creating various forms of digital art like wallpapers, stickers, and greeting cards. Additionally, the S26 Ultra’s Now Nudge feature utilizes AI to identify and recommend relevant photos when using the Samsung Keyboard. This feature enhances the user experience by providing contextually appropriate images.

Moreover, the device boasts an improved document scanner and call screener, offering enhanced functionality and performance. Samsung has also introduced Automated App Actions, a new feature that will be available in a week. While these features are beneficial, they are becoming standard offerings on high-end smartphones, similar to those found on rival devices like the Pixel 10 Pro.

In terms of the camera, the S26 Ultra maintains the same sensors as its predecessor but incorporates wider apertures for its main and 5x telephoto cameras. This upgrade enhances the device’s performance, particularly in low-light conditions, making it a solid choice for photography enthusiasts.

Furthermore, the S26 Ultra features a 5,000mAh battery, providing efficient power utilization for improved longevity. The device also offers faster charging speeds, supporting up to 60 watts with a cable and 25 watts wirelessly. These enhancements contribute to a seamless user experience, ensuring that the device remains a top contender in the smartphone market.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Review

The latest addition to the Samsung Galaxy lineup, the S26 Ultra, boasts significantly faster wired and wireless charging capabilities compared to its predecessors. However, one notable omission is the lack of a built-in magnetic ring for Qi charging and other magnetic accessories. While Samsung claims this decision was made to maintain the phone’s slim profile, many users may find this feature useful and convenient. Despite this drawback, the S26 Ultra offers impressive performance and design features that elevate the overall user experience.

Wrap-up

When testing new smartphones like the S26 Ultra, it’s common to experience a sense of familiarity despite the upgraded hardware and design. While the device offers improved performance and refined aesthetics, daily usage and app interactions may not significantly differ from previous models. This highlights the challenge of innovating in a market where user habits and preferences remain relatively consistent.

Privacy Display and AI Features

The standout feature of the S26 Ultra is its Privacy Display, designed to prevent unauthorized viewing of the screen. This feature enhances user privacy and security, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential. Additionally, the device showcases improvements in gaming performance, camera quality (especially in low-light conditions), and AI-driven suggestions that enhance the overall user experience.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra represents a significant improvement over its predecessors. With enhanced performance, advanced camera capabilities, and intelligent features, the device offers a compelling user experience. While the differences may be subtle for users upgrading from recent models, the S26 Ultra stands out as a versatile and high-performing smartphone in the market.

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