GoKawiilThe Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn't a radical upgrade from the S25 Ultra, but there are improvements where it counts. It's the thinnest and lightest Ultra, at 7.9mm thick and 214 grams -- an admittedly minor slim-down that's still noticeable.
The hardware advancement that steals the spotlight is the Privacy Display, which prevents others from seeing what's on your screen. Unlike a $10 screen protector you can buy from Amazon, you can toggle Privacy Display on for certain apps, like a banking app or your email, as well as your lock screen, so no one sees your password or PIN. You can also enable it just for incoming notifications, so only part of your screen gets blacked out.
The S26 Ultra carries over the same camera specs as last year, but it consistently delivers high-quality images. Plus, a neat new Horizontal Lock feature when recording videos keeps the horizon level even as you rotate your phone 360 degrees, leading to astonishingly stable footage.
Why we like it
The S26 Ultra prioritizes both hardware and software. Along with a thinner design and the Privacy Display, there's also a handful of new intuitive AI features. For instance, Now Nudge surfaces real-time suggestions based on what's on your screen, so if someone asks for photos from your trip, it'll automatically point you toward those images in your Gallery so you don't have to dig for them. And Document Scan will automatically appear when you're snapping a photo of a document to remove shadows and creases, then let you export the final product as a PDF. Plus, the S26 Ultra's battery can last well over a day and a half, and it supports 60-watt wired charging, a major perk.
Who's it best for
If you're a power user who likes having a larger display, a bigger battery and top-notch cameras -- as well as the signature S Pen -- the S26 Ultra is the way to go. It's a great choice for anyone who doesn't want to worry about charging their phone at the end of each day, since the battery can last well over a day and a half.
Who shouldn’t get i t
The S26 Ultra keeps its $1,300 price, even amid a RAM shortage that threatens to raise phone prices. But that's still not pocket change. If you don't need the most high-end cameras and prefer a smaller device, the baseline S26 shares many of the Ultra's features, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and all those AI features.