The Galaxy S series has long been one of the most recognisable names in the flagship smartphone space. Year after year, Samsung has managed to refine the formula just enough to keep things fresh, while still delivering the kind of experience users have come to expect. With the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, it’s clear that Samsung isn’t looking to reinvent the wheel — but rather to push its boundaries even further.
At first glance, the S26 Ultra might look very similar to last year’s model, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Samsung has taken a more subtle approach this time, refining the design instead of overhauling it. The edges are now slightly more rounded, which makes the phone feel more comfortable to hold, especially during longer use. It’s also slimmer and lighter than before, and that difference is something you actually notice in hand.
One interesting change this year is the move from a titanium frame back to an aluminium one, thanks to its better thermal conductivity, which helps with heat management during extended use. In daily use, the phone still feels every bit as premium as you’d expect from an Ultra device.
Flip the phone over, and the display continues to impress. The S26 Ultra now features a larger 6.9-inch AMOLED panel, and it’s easily one of the highlights of the device. Everything looks crisp and vibrant, and the screen feels incredibly smooth thanks to its adaptive refresh rate. Whether I’m scrolling through apps, watching videos, or just browsing casually, the experience feels fluid and immersive.
Brightness is another area where the display shines — literally. Even under bright outdoor conditions, the screen remains clear and easy to read. On top of that, Samsung has introduced a new Privacy Display feature, which I found surprisingly useful. It adds an extra layer of discretion in public, meaning you won’t need to rely on an additional privacy screen protector. It’s something I didn’t think I needed until I actually started using it.
In day-to-day use, the Galaxy S26 Ultra feels fast, responsive, and effortlessly capable, whether I’m jumping between apps, editing photos, or just going through my usual routine. Powering the experience is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and it’s not just about raw speed this time.
Samsung is clearly leaning more into AI, with features like smart call screening and improved generative photo editing tools. These additions feel more practical than gimmicky — I found them genuinely useful, especially when handling unknown calls or making quick edits to photos without needing third-party apps.
The unit I tested comes with 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, which is more than enough for just about anything you throw at it. Multitasking feels seamless, and there’s plenty of space for apps, photos, and videos without ever feeling constrained.
Battery life has also been reliable during my time with the phone. The 5,000mAh battery comfortably gets me through a full day of use, even on busier days. When it’s time to recharge, the 60W fast charging — now the fastest in the Galaxy S series so far — makes a noticeable difference. It’s quick enough to top up in a short amount of time, while 25W wireless charging adds that extra layer of convenience when you don’t feel like plugging in.
As always, the Ultra series has been about pushing camera performance further, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra keeps that momentum going. It’s less about dramatic changes this time, and more about fine-tuning the experience to deliver consistently good results in real-world use.
Leading the setup is the 200MP main camera, paired with a large sensor that does a great job of capturing detail and maintaining good dynamic range. Photos come out sharp with pleasing colours, and what I appreciate most is how consistent the results are across different lighting conditions.
Night photography is especially impressive this time around. When I was shooting fireworks, the night mode handled the scene really well — preserving highlights without blowing them out, while still keeping the surrounding details visible. It’s the kind of scenario where many phones struggle, but the S26 Ultra manages it with surprising ease.
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Zoom performance is another standout feature. With a 50MP periscope telephoto camera alongside a 10MP telephoto lens, the phone offers 3x and 5x optical zoom, giving you flexibility when framing shots. You can push it all the way up to 100x digital zoom, and while that’s usually more of a novelty on most devices, I was genuinely impressed by how usable the results are here. Even at maximum zoom, the phone manages to retain a surprising amount of clarity — you can check out the video above for a better idea of what it’s capable of.
Rounding things out is the 50MP ultra-wide camera, which is great for capturing landscapes, large group shots, or tight spaces where you need that extra field of view. It maintains good colour consistency with the main camera, which helps keep the overall shooting experience cohesive.
Verdict
After spending some time with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, it feels like Samsung has settled into a rhythm it knows works — and refined it even further. This isn’t a phone that tries to impress with bold, headline-grabbing changes. Instead, it focuses on delivering a consistently smooth and reliable experience across the board, and that approach actually makes it easier to appreciate in daily use.
What I like most is how effortless everything feels. The design is more comfortable to handle, the display remains one of the best to look at, and the performance — especially with the added AI features — blends naturally into everyday tasks without feeling forced. The camera system continues to be a strong point too, giving you the confidence to capture just about anything without second-guessing the results.
Priced at S$1,828 in Singapore, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is clearly positioned at the top end of the market. But it justifies that price by offering a well-rounded flagship experience that doesn’t rely on gimmicks. It may not be a drastic leap forward, but it’s a smart and polished evolution — and one that comfortably earns its place among the best smartphones you can buy right now.
