Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Review: Iterative Hardware, Magical Software

Samsung has recently unveiled its latest flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra. As expected, the new phone offers more of an iterative update rather than a revolutionary one, especially when compared to its predecessor, the S25 Ultra. The S26 Ultra features a more rounded design, wider apertures on some of the cameras, faster charging, and an upgrade to the latest Snapdragon chip.

One of the standout features of the S26 Ultra is the introduction of Privacy Display, a groundbreaking new screen technology. This feature prevents the screen from being viewed at an angle, making it ideal for scenarios where privacy is crucial. The screen technology involves using narrow and wide pixels to control the visibility of the display.

In terms of design, the S26 Ultra has a thinner and more rounded design compared to its predecessors. The camera lenses are now raised on a little island, with slimmer bezels. The phone features anti-reflective Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass on the front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the rear. However, the frame is now made of Armor Aluminium instead of titanium.

The S-Pen is still included with the S26 Ultra, but the new shape of the phone means it now bends around the corner slightly, which can be a bit irksome. The phone is available in four color options, with two additional exclusive colors if ordered directly from Samsung.

The display of the S26 Ultra remains similar to its predecessor, with the addition of the Privacy Display feature. The phone offers vibrant colors, good outdoor visibility, and sharp details. The speakers on the S26 Ultra are among the best in any phone, with clear sound and good bass.

In terms of performance, the S26 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. The phone offers up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. Samsung has made improvements to the thermal solution of the phone, featuring the largest vapor chamber and repositioned thermal interface material for better cooling.

The camera setup of the S26 Ultra remains largely the same as its predecessor, with minor hardware changes. The phone offers new image processing capabilities and a new stabilisation mode for videos. The new APV codec provides greater image fidelity for professional video shooting.

The battery life of the S26 Ultra is powered by a 5000mAh battery, which supports 60W wired charging and 25W wireless charging. The phone runs on One UI 8.5 based on Android 16, offering a range of new features and AI enhancements.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is available in three variants with different storage and RAM configurations. The phone is priced on the higher end of flagship devices, competing with other flagship models from Google, Apple, and Xiaomi.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers incremental upgrades over its predecessor, with innovative features like Privacy Display and advanced AI capabilities. The phone excels in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, making it a top choice for users looking for a premium Android smartphone.