Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra mobile phone represents the height of Samsung’s smartphone development prowess, offering the best features that the company has ever packed into a smartphone – with a couple of tricks that we think are totally showstopping.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra phone is the largest handset of the Galaxy S26 family, sitting above the base model Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy S26+ middle child, with a gorgeous 6.9” screen perfect for watching video content and playing high-performance games. The Galaxy S26 Ultra phone is also fitted with Samsung’s best array of cameras, including a 200MP main camera.

In fact, it’s in the display and camera arenas where we’re most impressed with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung’s introduced a new ‘Privacy Display’ feature with the S26 Ultra that we’re hugely impressed with, allowing the user to obscure the display from shoulder surfers without needing a separately purchased phone screen. Meanwhile, all phones in the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series have received a new video steadying feature called Horizontal Lock that stops recordings from being too jittery, perfect for when you’re recording videos while moving.

Read on below to see why we recommend this phone. Alternatively, you can read our Samsung Galaxy S26 review or our Samsung Galaxy S26+ review

Keen to learn more about the devices? Read our Introduction to the Samsung Galaxy S26 range and our Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Galaxy S25 comparison.

Specification: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

• Display 6.9" Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• Processor Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• Cameras 200MP (Wide), 10MP (Tele), 50MP (Tele), 50MP (Ultrawide), 12MP (Front)
• Size 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9mm
• Weight 214g
• Battery 5,000mAh (Typical ) ⁽¹⁾
• Colours
  • Cobalt Violet
  • Sky Blue
  • Black
  • White

• Powerful new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
• 12GB RAM / 16GB RAM (1TB model)
• Four sleek colourways
• IP68 rated ⁽²⁾

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra phone is the most powerful phone in the Galaxy S26 series . Offering a beautiful large display and a stylus, the S26 Galaxy Ultra is for power users and people who want the best from their smartphone.

As with the other devices in the Galaxy S26 family, refinement is a big focus for Samsung this time around. This year’s Samsung Galaxy Ultra model looks closer aesthetically to the other devices in the Galaxy S family, with a more rounded design, a slimmer shape and a protruding camera bump. The phone is also available with the same four colourways as the S26 and S26+.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the next-generation chip on from the S25 Ultra’s 8 Gen 4 processor, making it even better for games and power users. Games play extremely well on the S26 Ultra, with the incredible performance aided by a redesigned Vapour Chamber that spreads heat more efficiently.

When you go to buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, you’ll notice that there are three storage options available – 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, with the 1TB model also offering 16GB RAM. The more storage your phone has, the more photos, apps and videos you can store.

• 200MP main camera
• 10MP telephoto camera
• 50MP periscope telephoto
• 50MP ultrawide camera
• 12MP selfie camera

While the cameras haven’t received a major redesign with the Galaxy S26 generation, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra presents flagship-level photography, making it an attractive phone for anybody that likes to take high quality photos.

Samsung has introduced Super Steady Horizontal Lock, which keeps your video recording smooth when the phone is moving. Think about if you’re at a concert, or if you’re recording video while running – the phone is able to keep a steady picture going without producing a shot that bounces around.

With five lenses fitted to the S26 Ultra phone, your photography needs are covered. Whether you’re snapping in a low-light environment, or looking to get a massive landscape all contained in an image, the Ultra offers the impressive camera performance that a photo lover might desire.

• 6.9” Quad HD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• 3120 x 1440 resolution
• 2600 nits peak brightness
• Awesome Privacy Display feature

The display of the Galaxy S Ultra models are always impressive, and Samsung hasn’t disappointed with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Maintaining a huge 6.9” size with epic brightness and resolution, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra improves upon the legacy of prior phones by introducing a new trick that’s attractive to anybody who is privacy minded.

Exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is Privacy Display, an interesting feature that keeps people from being able to see what’s on your phone when looking for the side – perfect for keeping important information private in public. This setting can be disabled or enabled at will, depending on if you want to show something to a mate beside you.

We’ve actually written up a deep dive into the feature – learn more about it here.

Aside from the all-new Privacy Display feature, the display has retained its huge size that makes it great for any task you throw at it. Games look amazing with the screen’s 120hz refresh rate, and the large size is awesome for watching streaming content on.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is an incredible phone ideal for folks that desire the best of the best. This large handset is the most powerful device in the Samsung family of phones, and can be relied on for streaming content, long gaming sessions, brilliant photography, or just the basics like calls, texts and scrolling.

We’d recommend the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to a broad range of people, but in particular, it’d be a great handset for artists that want a phone with a stylus. It’s an awesome choice for photography lovers, or anybody who craves an exceptionally powerful handset.

All of that said, you should also consider the Galaxy S26 if you’re leaning more towards an entry level device, or perhaps the Galaxy S26+ if you want a larger display.

Device disclaimers

1. Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard.
2. Galaxy S26 devices have an IP68 rating based on lab test conditions. These devices are dust resistant and water resistant for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Ensure the charging port is dry before charging. Please refer to your device's user manual for further care instructions and limitations.
3. Certain AI features require a Samsung or Google Account. Internet connection may be required to use some features.