Samsung · Reviewed by Gyan Therapy · Published 2026-03-02
Based on a review by Gyan Therapy (accessed 2026-03-02).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about world's first privacy display with app-specific and pin-specific activation options — just accept charger is not included in the box.
The reviewer finds the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to be a significant upgrade with notable improvements like the privacy display, slimmer design, increased charging speed, and enhanced low-light camera performance due to wider apertures. While some aspects like daylight photography are comparable to the S25 Ultra, the new software features and AI capabilities make it a compelling flaghsip.
This review provides an unboxing and initial impressions of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, highlighting changes from the S25 Ultra. It covers physical design, the new Privacy Display, general display quality, performance, One UI 8.5 features, and camera improvements including low light performance and new video LUTs.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers significant upgrades, making it a strong contender for those seeking a premium flagship experience, particularly due to its groundbreaking privacy features. It introduces the world's first Privacy Display, which intelligently hides screen content from side viewers, configurable per app or for sensitive inputs like PINs. The camera sees substantial low-light improvements, with a larger F1.4 main sensor aperture capturing brighter and more detailed night photos compared to the S25 Ultra, though the new aluminum frame is a downgrade from titanium. If you prioritize cutting-edge privacy tech and enhanced low-light photography in a sleeker design, this phone is worth considering. However, if an included charger or maximum anti-reflection capabilities are crucial, you might look at other options.
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visual_inspectionneutralt=01:54–02:49
The S26 Ultra features a redesigned camera layout and the camera module protrudes more due to the phone's slimmer profile.
measurement_testpositivet=02:18–02:37
The S26 Ultra is slimmer at 7.9mm (compared to S25 Ultra's 8.2mm) and lighter at 214g (compared to S25 Ultra's 218g), making it the slimmest Ultra phone.
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The side frame material has changed from titanium to aluminum.
visual_inspectionpositivet=03:22–03:28
The S26 Ultra features more rounded corners compared to the S25 Ultra.
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The S Pen is thinner and rounder to match the phone's design and requires a specific orientation (button up) for correct insertion; it retains S25 Ultra features but still lacks Bluetooth.
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The S26 Ultra maintains an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
hands_on_demopositivet=04:36–06:57
The new Privacy Display functions by narrowing pixel light distribution, offering two levels, slightly dims the screen, and can be activated for specific apps, PIN entry areas, or by double-pressing the power button.
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The S26 Ultra display specs are 6.9-inch QHD+ 120Hz LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2x with 2600 nits brightness and an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. Its anti-reflection is present but less effective than S25 Ultra.
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The S26 Ultra uses a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS4 storage, achieving an Antutu score of approximately 38 lakh.
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The S26 Ultra runs Android 16 with One UI 8.5 and is guaranteed 7 years of software updates.
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New One UI 8.5 features include a home screen finder, smaller app drawer search, more notification panel customization, partial screen recording, new calling screen display, and AI photo editing history.
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Enhanced Galaxy AI features include Photo Assist for text-based photo changes, Creative Studio for AI photo generation, 'Now Knows' for smart reminders, and Audio Eraser for video noise reduction even in third-party apps.
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The main camera aperture increased from F1.7 to F1.4 and the 5x telephoto aperture from F3.4 to F2.9.
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Low-light photos from the S26 Ultra are brighter, more detailed, and show better shadow management compared to the S25 Ultra. Day-light results are mixed, sometimes better, sometimes similar, sometimes worse than S25 Ultra.
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Video recording capabilities include 8K 30fps, 4K 60fps, 4K 120fps, and 4K portrait, with new built-in LUTs (color grading filters) that can increase video file size.
The S26 Ultra is noticeably slimmer at 7.9mm (vs. 8.2mm for S25 Ultra) and slightly lighter at 214g (vs. 218g). It features a changed camera layout that protrudes more, an aluminum side frame (replacing titanium), and more rounded corners. The S Pen is also thinner and rounder, requiring a specific insertion orientation.
The S26 Ultra's unique Privacy Display feature prevents others from seeing your screen from an angle by narrowing the pixel light distribution. It offers two levels of privacy, slightly dims the screen when active, and can be configured to automatically activate for specific apps (like banking or chat) or only for specific screen areas (like PIN entry). It can also be toggled instantly with a double press of the power button.
The S26 Ultra has upgraded its charging support from 45W to 60W, allowing for faster charging. Its battery capacity remains the same as its predecessor, at 5000mAh.
The S26 Ultra features wider apertures on its main 200MP camera (F1.4 vs F1.7 on S25 Ultra) and 5x telephoto camera (F2.9 vs F3.4). This leads to noticeably brighter photos with better detail and shadow management in low-light and nightography conditions. While daylight performance can be mixed, its dynamic range control is also enhanced.
The S26 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, coupled with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS4 storage, achieving an Antutu score of around 38 lakh. It ships with Android 16 and One UI 8.5, and Samsung has committed to providing 7 years of software updates for the device.
Beyond existing Galaxy AI functionalities, the S26 Ultra introduces several new features. These include Photo Assist for modifying images using text commands, Creative Studio for generating diverse photos from text or drawings, "Now Knows" for smart suggestions based on calendar and messages, and an Audio Eraser that can reduce background noise in videos, even within third-party apps like YouTube.
The S26 Ultra offers robust video recording options, including up to 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, 4K at 120fps, and 4K portrait video. A new addition is the inclusion of several built-in LUTs (color grading filters) such as Standard, Blockbuster, Coming of Age, Romance, and Thriller, allowing users to apply different visual styles directly to their footage. Applying these LUTs can increase the final video file size.
85/100 source quality
This video offers a first look at the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, highlighting key design changes compared to its predecessor, the S25 Ultra. It showcases the new Privacy Display feature, improved charging speed, and the refined S Pen design. The review also delves into the phone's performance with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, new One UI 8.5 features, and significant camera enhancements, particularly in low-light conditions. Overall, it provides a comprehensive overview for potential buyers.
Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.
This page converts Gyan Therapy's review of the Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
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