GoKawiilShimul Sood / Android Authority
Every year, Samsung drops a new Galaxy Ultra, and somehow, it still feels like the same familiar formula with a few refinements.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is no exception. It’s polished and powerful, sure, but not quite the kind of upgrade that makes you fall in love with it right away. That said, this year does bring one excellent addition: the Privacy Display. It’s a feature that changes how I use my phone in public, and honestly, it’s something I want on every Android I use, including my favorite phone from last year: the OPPO Find X9 Pro. Still, a single standout feature doesn’t completely shift the value equation at a $1,300 starting price.
And when put next to the OPPO Find X9 Pro, the crème de la crème of Android phone cameras, suddenly, the S26 Ultra feels hard to justify at that price. Don’t get me wrong. I still like the Galaxy S26 Ultra for what it offers. But when a more affordable phone from last year starts beating it in key areas, it’s hard to ignore. And I have my reasons for that.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra worth its $1,299 price tag? 26 votes Yes, definitely. 12 % No, not for me. 58 % I'll wait for the price drop. 31 %
OPPO’s cameras are ridiculously good
Shimul Sood / Android Authority
One of the biggest reasons why I love the OPPO Find X9 Pro is its cameras. To give you a sense of the setup, it packs a 50MP primary camera, a 200MP periscope telephoto lens with up to 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultra-wide sensor on the back.
For me, this rear setup works just as well for personal use as it does for professional. Recently, I took the OPPO Find X9 Pro on vacation and relied on it for photos and videos. One moment that stood out for me was at a cafe overlooking the beach. The frame had everything: rocks, water, sand, and even distant mountains. What I got back was a vibrant, lively image. Here, the Hasselblad tuning really shows its character in how it handles color science and post-processing. Even with haze in the air, the phone didn’t flatten the scene.
Shimul Sood / Android Authority
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