The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn’t a revolutionary upgrade, but it doesn’t need to be. Instead, Samsung has refined nearly every aspect of an already excellent flagship. With outstanding performance, one of the best displays available, versatile cameras, excellent battery life, and meaningful AI improvements, this is easily one of the best Android phones you can buy. The high price and a few familiar shortcomings keep it from perfection, but if you want the complete premium smartphone experience, the Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers.

Pros

  • Gorgeous, bright 6.9-inch AMOLED display
  • Outstanding overall camera system with excellent zoom
  • Exceptional performance in every situation
  • Strong all-day battery life
  • Premium build quality and improved ergonomics
  • Useful AI features that enhance daily use

Cons

  • Expensive compared to the competition
  • Some AI features still feel like works in progress
  • Camera processing can occasionally look overdone
  • Not a dramatic upgrade from the previous Ultra model

Full Review

Samsung has reached a point where its Ultra series doesn’t need dramatic redesigns every year. Instead, the Galaxy S26 Ultra focuses on refinement, and after spending time with it, I think Samsung has made the right decisions.

The first thing I noticed was how much better the phone feels in the hand. It’s still unmistakably an Ultra device with its large footprint, but the slightly softer edges make it noticeably more comfortable during long sessions. Build quality is exactly what you’d expect from Samsung’s flagship lineup—solid, premium, and confidence-inspiring.

The 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display is simply outstanding. Colors are vibrant without feeling unnatural, brightness is excellent even outdoors, and scrolling remains incredibly smooth thanks to the high refresh rate. Whether I was watching HDR content, editing photos, or just browsing social media, the screen consistently impressed me. Samsung has also introduced a new privacy display feature that proved surprisingly useful when using the phone in public.

Performance is flawless. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the Galaxy S26 Ultra handles everything effortlessly. Apps launch instantly, multitasking never slows the phone down, and demanding games run smoothly at high settings. Even after extended gaming sessions, thermal management remains impressive.

Samsung continues to push AI features throughout One UI, and this year’s additions generally feel more practical than gimmicky. Features like smarter writing assistance, enhanced photo editing, and productivity tools genuinely improve the experience, although a few still feel like they’re searching for their ideal use case.

Photography remains one of the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s strongest selling points. The main camera consistently captures sharp images with excellent dynamic range, natural colors, and impressive low-light performance. Samsung’s zoom capabilities remain among the best in the smartphone world, making distant subjects surprisingly detailed. The ultra-wide camera also performs well, delivering sharp images with good consistency across different lighting conditions.

That said, the camera isn’t perfect. Samsung’s image processing can still be a little aggressive, occasionally producing photos that look slightly oversharpened or overly saturated. While most people will probably enjoy the punchy look, those who prefer a more natural style may notice it.

Battery life is another highlight. The Galaxy S26 Ultra comfortably lasts through a full day of heavy use, often ending the evening with battery to spare. Charging speeds remain competitive, even if a few rivals still offer significantly faster charging solutions.

Software is another area where Samsung deserves praise. One UI feels polished, responsive, and packed with useful features without becoming overwhelming. Samsung’s long-term software support also adds considerable value, making this a phone that should remain relevant for years.

The biggest obstacle is the price. With an official starting retail price of around $1,499 USD (approximately 15,800 SEK), this is one of the most expensive Android smartphones available. If you already own the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the improvements probably aren’t substantial enough to justify upgrading immediately. However, anyone coming from an older device will appreciate the cumulative refinements.

Final Verdict

The Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t reinvent Samsung’s flagship formula—it perfects it. Nearly every aspect of the experience has been improved, even if the changes aren’t immediately obvious on paper. From its exceptional display and reliable cameras to its outstanding performance and refined software, it delivers one of the most complete smartphone experiences available today.

Rating: 4.8/5