GoKawiilBrady Snyder / Android Authority
The Samsung Galaxy 26 and Galaxy S26 Ultra are polar opposites. Only a few things, such as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and One UI 8.5, tie the two models together. I’ve long been a fan of compact and thin phones; I spent my own cash on both the Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone Air, and I haven’t used an “Ultra,” “XL,” or “Pro Max” model as my daily driver in years. I’m not the target audience for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but I can’t help but love it anyway.
I used both the 6.3-inch Galaxy S26 and the 6.9-inch Galaxy S26 Ultra for weeks, and spent some time using the two models side-by-side. For the first time, the bigger Galaxy S26 Ultra offers enough upgrades over the base model to justify the larger footprint and higher price.
Samsung’s high-end flagship is by no means cheap. I’m not saying everyone should shell out $1,300 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra — but I am saying it’s the only Galaxy S26 series phone actually worth the cost.
What Galaxy S26 Ultra feature impresses you most? 4 votes Privacy Display and/or S Pen 25 % New main and telephoto cameras 0 % Faster 60W wired charging 25 % State-of-the-art connectivity 50 %
The Ultra’s screen finally offers more than size
Brady Snyder / Android Authority
Big-screen smartphones like the Pixel 10 Pro XL or iPhone 17 Pro Max typically offer little beyond a larger display compared to their smaller counterparts. I find that larger smartphones can be more of a burden than anything else, as it’s harder to reach the display corners or fit them comfortably in a pocket.
Despite my affinity for smaller handsets, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is undersized for its class, making it easier to wield.
It has a 6.9-inch screen but measures just 7.9mm thick and weighs 214 grams. That’s thinner and lighter than the Pixel 10 Pro XL (8.5mm, 232g) and the iPhone 17 Pro Max (8.8mm, 233g). With a screen this large, a thin and light phone makes the device easier to maneuver. There were times that the Galaxy S26 Ultra felt oversized, but it was usable more often than not.
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