The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra feels like it’s in a tricky spot. There’s no denying that it’s one of the best camera phones you can buy right now, but with a collection of sensors that are almost identical to those you’ll find on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the previous-gen pick will be a better buy for bargain hunters. Still, if you’re happy to opt for the latest tech, and the price hike that comes with it, you won’t be disappointed with the S26 Ultra.
On the camera front, it’s the versatility of the S26 Ultra’s four rear-facing sensors that sets it apart. The main 200Mp main sensor can capture unbelievably detailed shots in almost any setting. Plus, with such a high megapixel count you can crop in without losing much fidelity in the process. The 50Mp ultra-wide definitely gets the job done, but it’s the 10Mp 3x and 50Mp 5x telephoto lenses that really give you the freedom to capture shots from different angles.
For anyone content creators out there, the new stabilisation mode on the S26 Ultra is able to lock the horizon level in place, much as you can on the latest action cameras, making it appear as if you’re recording with a three-axis gimbal. It’s great to have and, with Galaxy AI’s suite of editing features (plus the S Pen), the S26 Ultra is very much an all-in-one device.
The charging speed has finally been given an upgrade, leaping to 60W over a wired connection, but the real allure for new adopters is the privacy display, which can hide sensitive information onscreen from anyone who might be trying to catch a peep over your shoulder. It all works brilliantly, and we’ll be surprised if other manufacturers don’t implement their own version of the tech in due course.
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
High-end buyers who want an all-in-one phone that does pretty much everything.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Further considerations
The S25 Ultra has almost identical cameras and can be bought for less.
