Review: Latest Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The year 2026 has started with a massive bang in the tech world. While many companies are trying to catch up, Samsung has once again claimed the throne with its newest flagship: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. After months of rumors and leaks, we finally have our hands on the device that many are calling the “perfect AI phone.”

In this Samsung S26 Ultra Review, we will dive deep into the design, performance, camera, and the groundbreaking AI features that make this phone worth the premium price. If you are wondering whether to upgrade from your current device, this guide will cover everything you need to know.

1. Design: Thinner, Lighter, and More Refined

At first glance, the S26 Ultra looks familiar, but when you pick it up, the difference is immediate. Samsung has moved away from the sharp, boxy corners of the past and introduced slightly rounded edges.

• Build Quality: The Grade 5 Titanium frame returns, making the phone incredibly tough yet light. It weighs only 214 grams, which is a noticeable improvement for a phone of this size.
• The “Camera Island”: Instead of individual lenses sticking out, Samsung has introduced a new “pill-shaped” camera module that protects the lenses better and looks much more modern.
• Dimensions: The phone is now just 7.9mm thin, making it one of the sleekest Ultra models ever made.

2. Display: The Brightest Screen on Earth

Samsung’s “M14” OLED technology has set a new record. The 6.9-inch display on the S26 Ultra is not just big; it is stunningly bright.

• Brightness: It hits a peak of 3,000 nits. This means that even under the harshest midday sun, the screen looks as clear as if you were sitting in a dark room.
• Anti-Reflection: The new Corning Gorilla Armor 2 coating reduces reflections by up to 80%.
• Refresh Rate: The LTPO 3.0 panel adjusts from 1Hz to 120Hz seamlessly, saving battery life while keeping everything buttery smooth.

3. Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

The “brain” of the S26 Ultra is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (made specifically for Galaxy). In 2026, this chip is a monster.

Component	Specification
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm)
RAM	12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X
Storage	256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
GPU	Adreno 840 (30% faster than last year)

Whether you are editing 8K video on the go or playing the most demanding AAA games, the S26 Ultra does not lag, stutter, or overheat. The new vapor cooling chamber is 25% larger, keeping the phone cool during heavy tasks.

4. Camera: The 200MP King with a Wider Heart

While the megapixel count remains at 200MP, the main sensor has received a massive hardware upgrade. It now features an f/1.4 aperture, the widest ever on a Samsung flagship.

• Night Photography: The wider aperture allows much more light into the sensor. Night shots that used to look grainy are now sharp, colorful, and detailed.
• The New Zoom Setup: Samsung has replaced the old 10x lens with a more practical 50MP 5x periscope lens. This provides much better image quality for the zoom levels people actually use every day.
• Video: A new “APV” codec allows for professional-grade 8K recording at 30fps with 10-bit HDR, making it a favorite for content creators.

5. Galaxy AI: Your Digital Assistant

The real star of our Samsung S26 Ultra Review is the software. One UI 8.5 (based on Android 16) is built entirely around AI.

• Real-Time Translation: Not just for calls, but for live conversations. You can wear your Galaxy Buds, and the phone will translate what someone is saying to you in real-time.
• AI Photo Editor: You can now move subjects in a photo, change the weather, or even add realistic objects just by typing a prompt.
• Circle to Search 2.0: You can now circle a video, and the AI will summarize the entire video for you or find where you can buy the clothes the person in the video is wearing.

6. Battery and Charging: Finally, a Speed Boost!

For years, Samsung fans asked for faster charging. In 2026, Samsung finally delivered.

• Wired Charging: The S26 Ultra now supports 60W wired charging. It can go from 0% to 70% in about 30 minutes.
• Qi2 Wireless: It features built-in magnets for Qi2 wireless charging, meaning it works perfectly with magnetic chargers and accessories, similar to Apple’s MagSafe.
• Battery Life: The 5,000mAh battery, combined with the efficient 3nm chip, easily lasts two full days of moderate use.

Pros and Cons

What we loved:

• The screen is incredibly bright and easy to see outdoors.
• The f/1.4 aperture makes it the best low-light camera on the market.
• Titanium build feels very premium and durable.
• 7 years of guaranteed Android updates.

What could be better:

• It is still a very large phone, which might be hard for small hands.
• No microSD card slot for storage expansion.
• The price remains high, starting at $1,299.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is not just another phone; it is a professional-grade tool. If you are coming from an S24 Ultra or S25 Ultra, the jump might feel incremental. However, if you are using an S22 Ultra or older, the difference in speed, camera quality, and AI capability is like moving from a bicycle to a rocket ship.

According to our Samsung S26 Ultra Review, this is the most complete smartphone ever built. It excels in every single category: display, power, camera, and software longevity. Samsung has truly set the bar for what a flagship should be in 2026.