We have the brand new Galaxy S26 Ultra from Samsung now up for pre-order. It’s quite the looker, featuring a slightly updated design, taking inspiration from last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 in a couple of ways. The camera housing is more along the lines of what that phone has in terms of appearance, but Samsung also went with a slimmer, lighter design for the S26 Ultra.
After having spent 24 hours with the phone now, and before I deliver any sort of full review, I’d like to present you with 5 reasons to buy (or at least strongly consider) the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
1. Privacy Display: Possibly the best “hardware innovation” we’ve seen in the past few years, if we aren’t counting how awesome the Z Fold lineup has become, Privacy Display is something that likely every smartphone user would and should want on their device. Even if you aren’t looking at sensitive material, it’s a great way to hinder curious looky-loos on public transit or in other public spaces. And for those of us that do consume sensitive material, whether it be banking information or whatever, what a fantastic feature it is. You can set it per-app or have it enabled across the entire system.
2. S Pen: I spoke to multiple people during Unpacked this week, ranging from fellow tech bloggers to Samsung reps on this subject. If you know me, you know I don’t use much S Pen when an Ultra is my daily driver. However, I’m beginning to understand why it’s so important to many of you. I promise to no longer be so dismissive. While Samsung didn’t highlight any major changes for the actual S Pen, it could be an enticing feature to get you off of an iPhone or some Android device that doesn’t come equipped with one. For me, the coolest thing I have yet to do with S Pen is turn my awful doodles into AI-generated masterpieces of ultimate cuteness. For that reason alone, S Pen now gets my stamp of acceptance.
3. Camera System: There is an upgraded camera system on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but not in the traditional sense exactly. While the sensors are essentially unchanged (note, the main sensor moves to an f/1.4, up from f/1.7, allowing for 47% more light), there are new features that require highlighting. For example, the horizontal lock when shooting video is really intriguing. There may be a puppy in my life here soon, so I look forward to testing out the lock functionality when it begins running around outside. Also, there is an improved Nightography mode, as well as the all-new Ocean Mode that Samsung showcased during the keynote. If you’re a diver, you can use Ocean Mode to capture the true color of underwater things, which is better than the muddy, overblown greenish hue you might typically get. If you have any snorkeling adventures planned in Hawaii, this would be the phone to take with you.
4. Updated Hardware: Maybe to the untrained eye, Galaxy S26 Ultra might look relatively unchanged from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, the in-hand experience has been improved greatly with the removal of all sharp corners. In addition to the rounding of corners, the phone is quite light at 214 grams, thanks mostly to the reintroduction of Armor Aluminum. Samsung also included a renovated vapor chamber which will deliver improved heat dissipation. For the gamers and hardcore multitaskers who ran into heat issues on past models, this phone should stay much cooler under the pressure. Again, after only spending 24 hours with the phone, it really does feel excellent in hand.
5. AI Kidding, But Kinda: Samsung said “AI” a lot this week. Whether we like it or not, it’s here and has been baked deeply into the device. For the most part, it’s helpful. It can pull information and complete tasks for you without being prompted, you can utilize the updated Circle to Search that people seem to love, and even Bixby is becoming more agentic and useful by finding you system settings that maybe you didn’t know existed simply by speaking to it like a normal person. The changes Samsung implemented are designed to be helpful, and while it may somewhat change your typical workflow on the device, it’s all created with efficiency and ease of use in mind. From my brief time with all of it, it really hasn’t been overbearing or difficult to use. And if at the end of the day, no one is forcing you to use it.
There you have it, 5 reasons to buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Expect full review sometime soon.
Comments
23 responses to “Galaxy S26 Ultra: 5 Reasons to Buy Samsung’s Newest Flagship”
One reason for me to upgrade is ththat the trade in value offered by Samsung usually makes this a no-brainer. One generally ends up getting a $1,200 or $1,300 phone for a couple of hundred dollars. If you upgrade every year or every other year, your out of pocket is not too bad. This year, I'm buying through T-Mobile because, I'm only paying tax and connection fees equaling $115. Not a bad deal at all!
I guess on my disposable of a tax return money. I was amused to get the order (s26u) at $420 and not so amused I biffed and forgot a $50 paypal credit. (Gonna call in…)
I agree if I was using an S24U or S25U, I'd be pretty upset and 100% would not upgrade to this. However, I'm coming from an iPhone 13 Pro Max (been using since release. Amazing phone an iOS has treated me well), and this phone sounded like the perfect time for me to finally upgrade. So I'm super excited to be upgrading to an S26U.
1) Privacy Display is NOT a reason to buy this phone. That's an absurd take. No one is going to trade in an S25U just for this.
2) SPen is a downgrade from the S24U and NOT a reason to UPGRADE.
3) Camera optics are the EXACT same as the past 5 years. The specs on paper don't necessarily transfer into improvements.
4) EVERY new phone has upgraded hardware. This is moot.
5) AI being deeply baked into a phone is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER a reason to upgrade to a device. Are you joking here???
Now… do 5 reasons to NOT upgrade!!!
Technically, the article states 5 reasons to buy not upgrade. If you talk upgrade, then it depends on your current phone. I agree, If you have an S24 ultra or higher, there is no reason to buy this phone. However, If like me you have a pixel 7 pro, then this phone is a pretty good upgrade. I like the pixel phones but I'm tired of google giving us processors that are years behind other flagships. My path is OG droid, droid 2, galaxy nexus, Moto X, Nexus 6, Moto G, Pixel 3, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, S26 Ultra so this should be a nice upgrade for me.
I had all of the first 4 (* = swap Droid X w/ the Droid X2) along with the Droid Razr Maxx & Droid Maxx before switching to Samsung in 2014 & getting the Note 3.
Seems like reason #5 is the major reason for not getting an S26U. This means you shouldn't buy the latest Pixel phones since the AI integration is deeper than that of S26U.
1 & 2 are your only valid points. The rest are quite asinine.
Ok, Mr. I'll Speak For Everybody. Thanks for telling all of us what we like and care about. Make all the decisions for us please. And yes, also like your own post please.????
Reading comprehension too hard for you, bud?
Okay grumpy, old man, sitting on his porch yelling at everyone to get off his lawn.
Question – I have Z fold 7 and I love the Ultra devices as well. I've been mulling trading back to s26 u;tra but I do use my fold opened up a lot so what are some opinions on it? Trade or not?
You'd get slightly better battery life, slightly faster SoC and definitely better cameras. I'd personally keep the Fold 7 for another year and see what happens as far as the S27U next year and the Z Fold Wide later this year.
My wife has the S24 Ultra and loves it. But she moved from a Note9 from ages ago, doubt she will be interested in another one untill a few more years. I curretnly have a Sony Xperia III and being thinking about getting back to Samsung, but it just cant win me over.
From an Xperia III? LOL.
No… Pass. Same story the past couple of years with Samsung not listening to customers.
Samsung is for idiots like KleenDroid
Amazing (s)
My nigga
Anyone else miss when droid life actually had a YouTube channel?
Absolutely!
I have the s23 ultra & used to upgrade almost every year. 3 years is the longest ive ever had a phone and been on the fence but this convinced me not to buy it. 1. I dont really care about the privacy screen 2. I have taken my s pen out maybe 10 times in 3 years 3. I dont really take alot of pictures 4. Hardware is my only positive. 5. I despise AI.
Samsung gave me $650 for my S23 Ultra when I ordered the 26 Ultra. I couldn't pass that up.