97
TechRadarT2Mar 2, 2026
“Sure, there might be too many AI options on board but, overall, the S26 Ultra is a winner and easily one of the best smartphones of the year.”
By Lance Ulanoff · Rated 4.75/5Full review
Phone
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung · From $1,299.99
Release date Mar 11, 2026
90
Critical Gold
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
16 with a published score, 2 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Jun 25, 2026
14 Rave3 Positive1 Favorable
Critics' Take
Critics call the Galaxy S26 Ultra a modest update, yet most still rank it among the best Android phones you can buy. The new Privacy Display, which hides the screen from people nearby, draws near-universal praise, along with faster charging, top performance and a slimmer, lighter body. The unchanged 5,000mAh battery, missing Qi2 magnets and small camera changes keep it from feeling like a big step up from the S25 Ultra.
What critics loved
- Privacy Display that hides the screen from onlookers
- Fast Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 performance
- Faster 60W wired and 25W wireless charging
- Slimmer, lighter body with rounded corners
Common gripes
- No Qi2 magnets for magnetic charging
- Battery still 5,000mAh
- Only minor camera upgrades
- Big camera bump makes it rock on a table
- Some Galaxy AI features feel unconvincing
Critic Scorecard
18 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
96
CNETT1★ Editors' ChoiceMar 12, 2026
“The built-in Privacy Display is a practical and innovative feature, the battery life is outstanding, and the cameras continue to shine while adding a few new, useful AI capabilities.”
Review first published March 12, 2026 and updated May 18, 2026, when CNET added its Editors' Choice award.
By Abrar Al-Heeti · Rated 9.3/10Full review
96
Tech AdvisorT3Mar 9, 2026
“It’s not a game-changing update, but Samsung does just enough to keep things interesting with the S26 Ultra.”
By Luke Baker · Rated 4.5/5Full review
96
T3T3Mar 3, 2026
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra is ultimately a finessing of Android's finest, delivering an impressive world-first in Privacy Display.”
By Mike Lowe · Rated 5/5Full review
95
EngadgetT1Mar 5, 2026
“So while it won't hit you over the head with monumental changes year over year, it's subtly one of the best Ultras we've gotten in the past half-decade.”
By Sam Rutherford · Rated 9/10Full review
95
Tom's GuideT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 6, 2026
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best Android phone yet with a truly innovative and useful Privacy Display.”
By Mark Spoonauer · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Show 12 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
95
ZDNETT2Mar 17, 2026
“The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of the best all-around flagship phones that you can buy right now.”
First published March 17, 2026; the page shows an update dated April 6, 2026.
By Prakhar Khanna · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
Digital TrendsT2★ Editors' ChoiceJun 6, 2026
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t reinvent anything. What it does is take the established Ultra formula and tighten every screw.”
Long-term review published after four months of testing.
By Nadeem Sarwar · Rated 9/10Full review
95
Trusted ReviewsT2Mar 10, 2026
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a classic Samsung “safe” upgrade; not that exciting, but undeniably still polished.”
By Lewis Painter · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
StuffT3Mar 6, 2026
“While not an extensive generational overhaul, the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains the Android of choice for power users.”
By Tom Morgan-Freelander · Rated 5/5Full review
88
Expert ReviewsT3Feb 25, 2026
“It is a shame to see Samsung falling behind in the battery life stakes after leading the pack for the past few years, but even still, the stamina remains excellent.”
By Ben Johnston · Rated 4/5Full review
88
Pocket-lintT3Apr 10, 2026
“Honestly, if Samsung had added magnets for Qi2 and bumped up the battery a bit, I'd call this the perfect Android phone.”
By Craig Donaldson · Unrated, scored from textFull review
85
The VergeT1Mar 14, 2026
“This is still a phone for a self-selecting group of people, but I’m happy to report that fans of the series are finally getting an update that’s worthy of the name.”
By Allison Johnson · Rated 8/10Full review
85
PCMagT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 13, 2026
“The S26 Ultra is an excellent phone for creatives who want an S Pen stylus and the absolute best cameras, and is our Editors' Choice for flagship Android phones.”
By Eric Zeman · Rated 4/5Full review
83
WiredT1Mar 14, 2026
“Now I wish every smartphone had a built-in privacy display.”
By Julian Chokkattu · Rated 8/10Full review
81
GizmodoT2Jun 25, 2026
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra is once again Samsung's best non-folding smartphone and our favorite flagship Android phone of 2026 so far, but it lacks any standout feature.”
Review published after several months of testing.
By Raymond Wong · Rated 4/5Full review
77
Android CentralT2Mar 18, 2026
“Some may consider Privacy Display a parlor trick or a gimmick, but Samsung's latest display innovation is genuinely useful in the right situation.”
By Nicholas Sutrich · Rated 4/5Full review
72
GSMArenaT3Mar 6, 2026
“Despite the relatively modest hardware upgrades, the Galaxy S26 Ultra still manages to bring a few meaningful improvements.”
Staff review · Unrated, scored from textFull review
81
GizmodoT2Jun 25, 2026
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra is once again Samsung's best non-folding smartphone and our favorite flagship Android phone of 2026 so far, but it lacks any standout feature.”
Review published after several months of testing.
By Raymond Wong · Rated 4/5Full review
95
Digital TrendsT2★ Editors' ChoiceJun 6, 2026
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t reinvent anything. What it does is take the established Ultra formula and tighten every screw.”
Long-term review published after four months of testing.
By Nadeem Sarwar · Rated 9/10Full review
88
Pocket-lintT3Apr 10, 2026
“Honestly, if Samsung had added magnets for Qi2 and bumped up the battery a bit, I'd call this the perfect Android phone.”
By Craig Donaldson · Unrated, scored from textFull review
77
Android CentralT2Mar 18, 2026
“Some may consider Privacy Display a parlor trick or a gimmick, but Samsung's latest display innovation is genuinely useful in the right situation.”
By Nicholas Sutrich · Rated 4/5Full review
95
ZDNETT2Mar 17, 2026
“The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of the best all-around flagship phones that you can buy right now.”
First published March 17, 2026; the page shows an update dated April 6, 2026.
By Prakhar Khanna · Rated 4.5/5Full review
85
The VergeT1Mar 14, 2026
“This is still a phone for a self-selecting group of people, but I’m happy to report that fans of the series are finally getting an update that’s worthy of the name.”
By Allison Johnson · Rated 8/10Full review
Show 12 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
83
WiredT1Mar 14, 2026
“Now I wish every smartphone had a built-in privacy display.”
By Julian Chokkattu · Rated 8/10Full review
85
PCMagT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 13, 2026
“The S26 Ultra is an excellent phone for creatives who want an S Pen stylus and the absolute best cameras, and is our Editors' Choice for flagship Android phones.”
By Eric Zeman · Rated 4/5Full review
96
CNETT1★ Editors' ChoiceMar 12, 2026
“The built-in Privacy Display is a practical and innovative feature, the battery life is outstanding, and the cameras continue to shine while adding a few new, useful AI capabilities.”
Review first published March 12, 2026 and updated May 18, 2026, when CNET added its Editors' Choice award.
By Abrar Al-Heeti · Rated 9.3/10Full review
95
Trusted ReviewsT2Mar 10, 2026
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a classic Samsung “safe” upgrade; not that exciting, but undeniably still polished.”
By Lewis Painter · Rated 4.5/5Full review
96
Tech AdvisorT3Mar 9, 2026
“It’s not a game-changing update, but Samsung does just enough to keep things interesting with the S26 Ultra.”
By Luke Baker · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
Tom's GuideT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 6, 2026
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best Android phone yet with a truly innovative and useful Privacy Display.”
By Mark Spoonauer · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
StuffT3Mar 6, 2026
“While not an extensive generational overhaul, the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains the Android of choice for power users.”
By Tom Morgan-Freelander · Rated 5/5Full review
72
GSMArenaT3Mar 6, 2026
“Despite the relatively modest hardware upgrades, the Galaxy S26 Ultra still manages to bring a few meaningful improvements.”
Staff review · Unrated, scored from textFull review
95
EngadgetT1Mar 5, 2026
“So while it won't hit you over the head with monumental changes year over year, it's subtly one of the best Ultras we've gotten in the past half-decade.”
By Sam Rutherford · Rated 9/10Full review
96
T3T3Mar 3, 2026
“The Galaxy S26 Ultra is ultimately a finessing of Android's finest, delivering an impressive world-first in Privacy Display.”
By Mike Lowe · Rated 5/5Full review
97
TechRadarT2Mar 2, 2026
“Sure, there might be too many AI options on board but, overall, the S26 Ultra is a winner and easily one of the best smartphones of the year.”
By Lance Ulanoff · Rated 4.75/5Full review
88
Expert ReviewsT3Feb 25, 2026
“It is a shame to see Samsung falling behind in the battery life stakes after leading the pack for the past few years, but even still, the stamina remains excellent.”
By Ben Johnston · Rated 4/5Full review
Quick Facts
- Display
- 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, built-in Privacy Display
- Chip
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- Rear cameras
- 200MP main + 50MP ultra wide + 50MP 5x telephoto + 10MP 3x telephoto
- Front camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh; 60W wired, 25W wireless charging
- Weight
- 214 g
- Build
- Aluminum frame, IP68, built-in S Pen
- Storage
- 256GB or 512GB (12GB RAM), 1TB (16GB RAM)
- Price
- From $1,299.99 (256GB)