Samsung · Electronics · Reviewed by TechOdyssey · Published 2026-02-26
Based on a review by TechOdyssey (accessed 2026-02-26).
This page converts TechOdyssey'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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The reviewer believes the S26 Ultra offers "a lot of nice thoughtful quality of life upgrades" and is a "nice phone." He concludes it's an "absolutely" worthwhile upgrade for users coming from an S21, S22, or S23 Ultra, or for iPhone users switching to Samsung. However, for S25 Ultra owners, he states it's "absolutely not necessary" unless they are a "crazy tech enthusiast" who "just have to get the latest and greatest." He also advises Pixel 10 Pro XL owners not to switch unless they are unhappy with their current device.
The video provides an in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, analyzing its new features and improvements. It compares the new model to its predecessor, the S25 Ultra, as well as older S-series phones, iPhones, and Pixel devices. The review aims to guide viewers on whether an upgrade or purchase of the S26 Ultra is worthwhile.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a worthwhile upgrade for users with older models and a compelling option for new Android users or those switching from iPhone. It offers significant improvements like a wider selfie camera field of view, larger apertures on the primary and telephoto lenses for better low-light photos, and a new 10-bit color screen with an innovative privacy display feature that doesn't reduce image quality. However, for S25 Ultra owners, the year-over-year changes are iterative, making it less of a necessary upgrade unless they are tech enthusiasts. If you own an S21 Ultra or older, or are an iPhone user considering a switch, this phone is an excellent choice. If you currently have an S25 Ultra and are content with its performance, you don't need to upgrade.
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reviewer_claimneutralt=0:25–0:35
The reviewer states that the S25 Ultra is still an amazing phone, only a year old, and many users may have acquired it recently.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
specification_claimpositivet=0:45–0:55
The S26 Ultra features a new chip, a wider field of view for the selfie camera, and a bigger aperture on the primary and telescopic telephoto lenses, which will lead to better light capture and improved low-light pictures.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
comparisonpositivet=0:55–1:07
The S26 Ultra brings back the 1TB model with 16GB of RAM, which is a significant upgrade from the 12GB RAM model that was the only option last year.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
specification_claimpositivet=1:10–1:16
The S26 Ultra introduces a new screen with 10-bit color and a privacy display feature.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
specification_claimpositivet=1:20–1:26
The phone supports 60-watt wired charging and 25-watt wireless charging.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
specification_claimpositivet=1:55–2:10
The S26 Ultra now offers seven years of software support, providing long-term updates for the device.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
reviewer_claimpositivet=2:15–2:25
The reviewer notes improvements in battery performance, expecting "all day battery" similar to his experience with the S25 Ultra.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
comparisonneutralt=3:30–3:55
The price of the S26 Ultra did not increase. However, the standard S26 increased from $799 to $899, and the S26 Plus increased from $999 to $1099.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
hands_on_demopositivet=3:58–4:50
The S26 Ultra features an anti-reflective display and the latest Gorilla Glass Armor 2. The reviewer testifies to the durability, stating he hasn't used a screen protector on his S25 Ultra (with similar glass) for a year and can barely find a scratch, noting it's a significant upgrade from older Victus/Victus 2 glass which were 'scratch magnets.'
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
hands_on_demopositivet=5:00–6:10
The new privacy screen is praised for not diminishing screen quality (brightness, clarity, or vibrancy) unlike traditional privacy screen protectors. The reviewer anticipates enjoying its use for sensitive information on airplanes.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
measurement_testneutralt=6:15–6:35
The S26 Ultra is 4 grams lighter, and while 4 grams is barely tangible, the reviewer notes a slight perceived lightness due to rebalanced internal components or thinness. Overall, it 'feels good in the hand'.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
expert_opinionpositivet=6:50–7:25
The reviewer is happy about the change back to an aluminum frame, stating that titanium frames were difficult to color, resulting in muted hues. The new aluminum frame allows for better, more vibrant colors like the Sky Blue option.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
comparisonpositivet=8:40–8:55
The reviewer identifies the S26 Ultra as the "best phone" for iPhone users, especially Pro Max owners, who are considering switching to Samsung.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
expert_opinionneutralt=9:00–9:50
The reviewer advises against switching from a Pixel 10 Pro XL to an S26 Ultra unless the user is unhappy with their Pixel, noting that the Pixel 10 Pro XL is still a "very good" and "amazing phone" with its own distinct experience.
Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8wFyvLNjA
The reviewer states that the S25 Ultra is still an amazing phone, only a year old, and offers many years of support. While the S26 Ultra has nice quality-of-life upgrades, it's not a critical upgrade for S25 Ultra owners unless they are enthusiastic about having the very latest technology.
The S26 Ultra boasts a new chip, wider selfie camera field of view, and larger apertures for better low-light photography. It offers a 16GB RAM option, a new 10-bit color screen with a privacy display, and supports 60W wired and 25W wireless charging. Other improvements include Gorilla Glass Armor 2 for scratch resistance, an anti-reflective display, a slightly lighter design, and 7 years of software support.
The reviewer confirms he is happy that the S26 Ultra's price did not go up. However, the standard S26 saw an increase from $799 to $899, and the S26 Plus went from $999 to $1099, making the price gap between the Ultra and the lower-tier models smaller.
Unlike aftermarket privacy screen protectors that often make the display dull or grainy, the S26 Ultra's integrated privacy screen maintains the screen's brightness, quality, and vibrancy. The reviewer plans to use it for discreet viewing of sensitive information, like work emails or banking, on airplanes.
The reviewer strongly recommends upgrading from S21 Ultra, S22 Ultra, or S23 Ultra models. He highlights that over the last 2-5 years, there have been significant upgrades in camera technology, processors, AI capabilities, and overall software support (now 7 years), making it a truly substantial improvement for those coming from older devices.
The S26 Ultra is deemed the 'best phone' for iPhone Pro Max users looking to transition to the Samsung ecosystem. However, the reviewer advises against leaving a Pixel 10 Pro XL unless the user is unhappy with it, as the Pixel is still considered an 'amazing phone' offering a different but equally strong experience. He suggests current flagship phones across brands are all fantastic, making personal preference the key factor.
75/100 source quality
The S26 Ultra introduces several enhancements, including a new chip, a wider field of view for the selfie camera, and a larger aperture for the main and telephoto lenses, improving low-light photography. It also features a new 10-bit color screen with a privacy display, 60W wired and 25W wireless charging, and a 16GB RAM option. The phone boasts an anti-reflective display, the latest Gorilla Glass Armor 2 for enhanced scratch resistance, and a return to an aluminum frame which improves color vibrancy. While year-over-year changes are incremental, the S26 Ultra offers a significant upgrade for users on older Samsung Galaxy S models (S23 Ultra or earlier) with features like 7 years of software support and improved battery performance. The price of the S26 Ultra itself has not increased, unlike the regular S26 and S26 Plus models.
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