So much has been said about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which has been heavy on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven features. More than a month after I got hold of Samsung’s latest flagship, I think there are still more hidden surprises on the horizon.
Disclaimer, I haven’t used any of Samsung’s S series, so I have nothing to compare it with. I have tried the Galaxy Z Flip twice, but never the S flagships. That’s why I tried to contain my excitement because I’ve heard so many good things about it and was really looking forward to it.
I got the Hero color unit, which is Cobalt Violet. Of course, the first thing anyone would check out is the camera capabilities, but in this area, I don’t think the Galaxy S26 Ultra has anything left to prove. There is one thing, though, that really got me hooked on the phone, and it is one of the most overlooked features in smartphones. That will come later.
These days, with so much going on with AI, we are trained to look beyond the aesthetics and go deeper, quite literally, into software upgrades and features. Still, let’s get the basics out of the way and break down the specifications with more attention.
Display
A 6.9-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display sounds big, and it is, which is a welcome feature for me because I like big phones. Not tablet-sized, just big enough to read ebooks. That 120Hz refresh rate means everything moves smoothly, whether you’re scrolling TikTok, reading articles, or playing games. The 2600 nits brightness is a big deal if you’re always outdoors, which I am. Even under direct sunlight, you can still see what’s on your screen without squinting or shading it with your hand.
The Gorilla Armor 2 protection helps ease some anxiety if you’re clumsy, which I’m not but you can’t predict accidental drops. It doesn’t mean it won’t break, but it feels more durable than other phones. The titanium frame adds to that solid feel. It screams premium. At 214g, it’s not light, but it’s not uncomfortable either.
Performance
Who am I to question its performance when it runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5? It just makes everything feel fast and smooth. Apps open right away, videos run better, and photos come out clearer thanks to smarter AI processing in the background. Even when I tried doing a lot at once, it didn’t easily slow down or overheat, and it still manages battery well, so the phone feels quick and reliable. We’ll have to see if it stays that way over time.
Storage options are always welcome, especially for those who take tons of photos, play multiple mobile games, or use different apps for different things. If you shoot a lot of videos or take tons of photos, the 512GB or 1TB options make more sense. I’m using 256GB but I’m still good after a month of installing different apps and using it as the primary camera for coverage. There’s no microSD slot, so what you choose is what you live with.
Camera
Now, the cameras. The 200MP main camera with f/1.4 aperture sounds like overkill, and honestly, it kind of is, but in a good way. You don’t always shoot at 200MP, but when you do, the detail is crazy. Most of the time, it combines pixels to give you better low-light shots. Photos look sharp and it handles bright and dark areas pretty well.
The 50MP ultra-wide camera is actually useful. Group shots, landscapes, or even random food photos come out clear without that weird blur you sometimes get on other phones. And for someone whose eyesight is failing, sometimes I feel like I’m shooting blind. Oftentimes, I get out-of-focus photos of a wonderful landscape that I don’t know if I would ever go back to. So yes, the Galaxy S26 Ultra makes sure that I have at least one or two good shots.
The zoom system is where this phone flexes. If you are on social media, the zoom feature doesn’t really need introduction. You get two telephoto lenses, one at 3x and another at 5x optical zoom. This means you can zoom in without losing quality, which is perfect for concerts, travel, or just showing off to friends. Then there’s the 100x digital Space Zoom. It’s more of a nice-to-have than something you’ll use every day.
The front camera is 12MP, which might not sound impressive, but it actually exceeds expectations. Selfies are clean, and video calls are clear.
Battery
Battery life is where it gets interesting for me. A 5000mAh battery is pretty standard for a flagship, but combined with the efficient processor, it can last a full day with normal use. But I don’t know if there is something I’m not doing because it somehow drains on me quite quickly. I tested it without watching videos, and it drained quicker than expected. So imagine if I watch Netflix all day long.
Charging is fast enough, though, so it makes up for it. The 60W wired charging gets you back up quickly, while 25W wireless is convenient if you hate cables. At 7.9mm thin, it’s impressive considering everything packed inside. It doesn’t feel bulky, even with the big battery and large screen.
It runs on Android 16 with One UI 8.5, which makes it feel polished and easy to use. The best part is the promise of seven years of updates. If you care about updates, then that’s huge. It means this phone won’t feel outdated anytime soon, and you won’t be forced to upgrade after just a couple of years.
And then the S Pen, which I didn’t know existed until one day into using it. I have never used one, which made me excited. And what do you know, it’s actually more useful than it sounds. I can jot down notes, sign documents, or even just doodle when I’m bored. It’s one of those features you might ignore at first, then suddenly start using all the time.
Audio
So, that one thing that made me “wow,” and this may sound naive for those who have been using the Galaxy S series, is the speakers. It’s not anti-climactic. If you are into music and movies like me, sound is of utmost importance. I don’t want Jin Akanishi’s voice to sound like it’s coming out of a tin can when he sings “Sun Burns Down.” Honestly, me raving about the speakers may sound like OA, but I feel like I don’t really need any external speakers when I’m in a room.
The audio setup includes a dedicated downward-firing speaker and an amplified earpiece, delivering 83.6dB maximum volume for rich, detailed sound, which explains those fuller sounds.
I’ve used different smartphones, so I know it, and you can argue that there are better ones, but for me, this is the one right now.
AI features
Lest we forget, Samsung is one of the smartphone brands that pushed mobile AI a few years ago. So, it’s no wonder that this time around, the new features have really leveled up compared to other smartphones that have only been integrating the technology now.
The hype on Privacy Display was insane when it was officially introduced. Before Privacy Display, we used special screen protectors that hide our phones from the side. The brand has integrated this into the software, so you can choose whether to hide the entire screen or just notifications. I have to say, this is notable and, more importantly, useful.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra also uses AI to screen calls for you. When an unknown number calls, the phone can answer and ask who’s calling and why, then give you a transcript so you can decide whether to pick up. This helps avoid spam or unwanted sales calls without interrupting your day. You don’t have to answer calls you’re not sure about, and it keeps your privacy intact since the AI does the talking first.
Need to turn a paper receipt, handwritten note, or contract into a digital copy? The AI-powered document scan automatically detects edges, removes shadows, and makes text clearer. You just point and shoot.
Galaxy AI can also help make your photos look better with a few taps. Want to remove an object, move something around, or adjust your background? The phone fills in the details automatically.
Now, you can also fill in missing pieces. For example, you can make a whole cake again. Why is this useful? There are photos that look better that look empty or do not have any character. Add one or two more elements and there you have it. Don’t forget, though, that AI-generated images will be tagged as one so use your AI responsibly.
This Geekbench score is proof that Samsung is serious about the Galaxy AI
There’s also AI zoom help. When you zoom in, especially really far, photos usually get blurry. Here, the AI tries to clean that up so the image still looks usable. It’s not magic, but it definitely makes zoom shots look better than you’d expect.
The best part is that none of this feels complicated. You don’t have to turn most of it on or learn how to use it. It just works in the background until it becomes natural.
I know that the Galaxy S26 Ultra still has so much to offer, and I can’t wait to find them out. Right now, I’m getting way too comfortable using it that I can’t leave the house without it, especially when I have coverage. It has become not just a tool but a real work partner I can count on. Now, that’s not a paid marketing pitch but an honest review, as this is my first S series with Samsung.
Specs:
- 6.9-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2600 nits
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- 12GB or 16GB RAM
- 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
- 200MP (f/1.4), 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP 5x, 10MP 3x
- Up to 100x Space Zoom
- 12MP front camera
- 5000mAh battery
- 60W wired, 25W wireless charging
- Android 16, One UI 8.5 (7 years updates)
- S Pen, titanium frame, 7.9mm, 214g
