The launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra was expected to be one of the biggest technology moments of the year. However, what should have been a triumphant release quickly became surrounded by controversy as criticism over design changes and features began to dominate discussion. Despite the negative attention, extended use of the device suggests that many of those concerns may be overstated, as the phone remains one of the most powerful flagship smartphones currently available.
The S26 Ultra is now available globally through Samsung’s online store and major mobile carriers. Pricing begins at $1,300 for the 256GB model, rising to $1,500 for the 512GB version and $1,800 for the 1TB variant. While the base model retains the same price as its predecessor, higher storage versions are slightly more expensive than those of the previous generation.
Samsung has released the device in six colours, including Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, White and Black, which are widely available. Two additional options — Silver Shadow and Pink Gold — are exclusive to Samsung’s own store.
In terms of competition, the S26 Ultra faces strong rivalry from the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. Android alternatives include the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, OnePlus 15, Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Honor Magic8 Pro.
One of the most noticeable improvements over the previous model is the phone’s ergonomics. The design of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was criticised for being overly sharp and angular. Samsung has addressed this with a thinner, lighter and slightly curved body in the S26 Ultra, making it more comfortable to hold during prolonged use.
However, the overall design remains a subtle evolution of earlier Ultra models rather than a dramatic change. While the broader range of colour options helps add some visual variety, the device may still disappoint those hoping for a bold redesign.
Samsung has also returned to aluminium for the chassis, abandoning the titanium frame used in the S24 and S25 Ultra models. Although some may view this as a downgrade, the aluminium body remains durable and comfortable to handle.
The phone’s display is protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2, while the rear uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It also carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. While this ensures solid durability, some competing devices now offer higher IP69 ratings, leaving Samsung slightly behind in this area.
One of the S26 Ultra’s standout features is its Privacy Display. This technology protects on-screen content from prying eyes by making the screen appear almost switched off unless viewed directly from the front. The system works at the pixel level, dimming the edges of the display while increasing brightness in the centre. It combines both hardware and software, meaning it is exclusive to the Ultra model.
Although the feature can slightly dim the screen, it can be customised to operate only in selected apps or notifications. When used in this way, it becomes largely unobtrusive while still offering an effective layer of privacy.
Camera improvements are more modest. The main 200-megapixel camera now features a wider f/1.4 aperture, while the 50-megapixel telephoto lens uses an f/2.9 aperture, both designed to improve low-light performance. Optical zoom options remain unchanged, offering 3x and 5x optical zoom, along with 10x optical-quality zoom.
In practice, image consistency and low-light photography are strong points. Night photography in particular produces deep black skies while maintaining detail in illuminated areas. Samsung’s Photo Assist editing tools also allow users to remove objects quickly and accurately, while the AI-powered “Styles” editing options provide creative adjustments.
Nevertheless, close inspection of photos reveals heavy software processing, including smoothing and edge enhancement. The telephoto lens can also switch unexpectedly to macro mode, occasionally disrupting focus during photography.
Despite these shortcomings, the S26 Ultra still delivers striking colours and strong contrast in everyday photography — more than enough for most social media users. Ultimately, while the device may not represent a revolutionary upgrade, it remains a formidable flagship smartphone that continues Samsung’s dominance in the premium Android market.