Samsung · Reviewed by GadgetIn · Published 2026-02-26
Based on a review by GadgetIn (accessed 2026-02-26).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about exclusive, toggleable privacy display feature on the s26 ultra — just accept s26 ultra's design now has curved corners, making it less distinct from other s26 models.
The reviewer found many of the S26 Ultra's new features to be impressive and 'killer,' especially the Privacy Display and camera aperture upgrades. While noting a price increase, he asks viewers if they are 'wow' or 'just okay' with the new flagship, suggesting an overall positive but nuanced impression.
This review provides an initial impression of the Samsung S26 Series, focusing primarily on the S26 Ultra. The reviewer highlights eight key new features, including design changes, display technology, camera hardware upgrades, AI enhancements, performance improvements, and charging capabilities. The video includes hands-on demonstrations of several features.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a strong contender for those prioritizing privacy, featuring a groundbreaking privacy display that can be toggled on and off. Its camera aperture upgrades significantly enhance low-light performance, producing brighter photos and videos. However, the phone's design deviates from the Ultra's signature boxy aesthetic, and the battery capacity remains unchanged from the previous generation. If you seek innovative features and top-tier camera hardware, this device is compelling. However, if a distinct design identity and battery capacity upgrades are crucial, you might find it less appealing.
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The Samsung S26 Ultra's design has changed, moving from a boxy, sharp-angled shape to a curvier form factor, making it visually similar to the S26 and S26+ from the side. The reviewer notes the S26 Ultra is also 0.3mm thinner and 4g lighter than the S25 Ultra, making it more comfortable to hold.
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The S26 Ultra utilizes premium materials, including an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Armor 2 glass, which is highlighted for its scratch resistance. The display also features an anti-reflective layer to minimize light reflections, improving clarity in bright conditions.
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Samsung states that the S26 Series incorporates 10 recycled materials, including new additions like lithium and tantalum, indicating an increased focus on environmental friendliness.
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The reviewer demonstrates the 'privacy display' feature on the S26 Ultra, which makes the screen appear dark or 'off' when viewed from the side, preventing others from easily peeking at the content. He highlights this as a 'killer feature' unique to the S26 Ultra.
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The privacy display feature can be turned on and off and customized for specific applications like banking or chat. Users can also choose to darken only the notification area and adjust the level of darkness.
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Samsung explained that the S26 Ultra's display has two different pixel partitions (narrow and wide). When privacy display is active, the wider pixels are minimized, creating the anti-spy effect. This hardware-level change means the feature cannot be updated via software on older models or found on the S26/S26+.
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The S26 Series introduces AI-powered call screening, allowing the phone to answer calls from unknown numbers, interact with the caller, and display the conversation transcript before the user decides to pick up.
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The S26 Ultra features hardware upgrades to its camera apertures: the main lens is now f/1.4 (from f/1.7) and the 50MP telephoto lens is f/2.9 (from f/3.4). A wider aperture allows more light into the sensor, improving brightness, reducing noise, and enhancing bokeh.
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The camera includes a new 'Horizontal Lock' stabilization feature, which keeps the video stable and the horizon level even when the phone is rotated or moved vigorously, acting as an enhanced version of 'Super Steady.'
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The S26 Series features enhanced AI for photo editing, including Photo Assist which accepts text prompts for edits directly within the gallery app. Creative Studio allows users to generate stickers, cards, and wallpapers from text or sketches.
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The AI Audio Eraser can now reduce noise in videos played within apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Instagram, expanding its previous capability of only removing noise from user-recorded videos.
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The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra uses a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, which is a tuned version of the standard chip. Compared to the S25 Ultra, it offers a 19% faster CPU, 24% faster GPU, and 39% faster NPU.
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The S26 Ultra includes a vapor chamber that is 20% more optimal for heat management, contributing to better cooling for sustained performance.
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While the battery capacity remains 5000 mAh, the S26 Ultra supports up to 60W charging, marking the fastest charging capability in Samsung's smartphone history. The charger will likely be sold separately.
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Compared to the S25 Series, the S26 Series sees price increases: Rp1.5 million for 256GB, Rp2.5 million for 512GB, and Rp3 million for the 1TB Ultra variant. This amounts to about a 10% price hike, attributed to global RAM conditions.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features a new design with curvier angles, departing from the previous generation's boxy, sharp aesthetic. This makes its side profile consistent with the S26 and S26+ models. The reviewer also noted it's 0.3mm thinner and 4 grams lighter than the S25 Ultra, improving its in-hand feel.
The S26 Ultra boasts a 'Privacy Display' feature that acts like a built-in anti-spy screen protector, making the screen appear dark when viewed from the side. This feature can be toggled on/off, activated for specific applications (like banking or chat), and allows for darkening only the notification area, with adjustable dark levels. It is a hardware-based innovation exclusive to the S26 Ultra.
The S26 Ultra's camera hardware has been upgraded with wider apertures: the main lens is now f/1.4 (from f/1.7) and the 50MP telephoto lens is f/2.9 (from f/3.4). This allows more light to enter the sensor, improving low-light performance, reducing noise, and enhancing bokeh. Additionally, a new 'Horizontal Lock' stabilization feature provides advanced video stability, keeping the horizon level even with significant phone movement.
The S26 Ultra is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, offering substantial performance gains over the S25 Ultra, including a 19% faster CPU, 24% faster GPU, and 39% faster NPU. It also incorporates a 20% more optimal vapor chamber for enhanced heat management, ensuring better sustained performance.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra supports a maximum charging speed of 60W, which is noted as the fastest ever for a Samsung smartphone. However, the battery capacity remains 5000 mAh, and the compatible charger is typically sold separately or offered as a pre-order bonus.
The S26 Series has seen a price increase compared to the S25 Series. The 256GB variant is up by Rp1.5 million, the 512GB by Rp2.5 million, and the 1TB Ultra by Rp3 million. This represents about a 10% increase across the range, attributed to global RAM conditions.
60/100 source quality
The GadgetIn channel presents an initial hands-on review of the new Samsung S26 Series, specifically emphasizing the S26 Ultra from the Samsung Unpack event. The reviewer details significant changes like the Ultra's curvier design, the innovative Privacy Display, and hardware upgrades to the camera's aperture. Performance enhancements via the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset and increased charging speed are also discussed, along with a noticeable price hike compared to the S25 Series.
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