Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Review: Is It Worth Upgrading?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the 2026 flagship with upgraded performance, camera, and AI features. Compared to the S25 Ultra, the main changes include a faster processor, quicker charging, and a newer Bluetooth standard.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the latest flagship from the South Korean tech giant, focusing on improvements in performance, camera, and artificial intelligence rather than radical design changes. iAuto.lv reviewed its features and compared it with the previous model, the S25 Ultra.
Display and Processor
The S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with QHD+ resolution (3120x1440), a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, and peak brightness of 2600 nits. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor. Available configurations include 12 GB or 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of storage.
Cameras and Battery
The rear camera setup includes a 200 MP main sensor, a 50 MP ultra-wide lens, and 10 MP and 50 MP telephoto lenses offering up to 10x optical zoom. The front camera is 12 MP. The battery capacity is 5000 mAh, supporting 60 W wired charging and 25 W wireless charging.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and NFC. It features IP68 dust and water resistance, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, S Pen support (without active button functions), and a Privacy Display. Dimensions are 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm, and it weighs 214 grams.
Comparison with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Both models have the same 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The S26 Ultra uses a newer-generation processor, delivering higher performance and better energy efficiency. In some regions, a 16 GB RAM variant is available. The camera sensor has been improved, with enhanced image processing, especially in night mode, video stabilization, and AI features. Wired charging speed has increased from 45 W to 60 W, and Bluetooth has been upgraded from 5.4 to 6.0. The S26 Ultra also includes more Galaxy AI tools.
Should You Upgrade?
For users who already own the S25 Ultra, the upgrade is modest. The difference in daily use is not significant, except for those who frequently shoot video – the new model's camera stability is notably improved. However, if you have the S24 Ultra or an older model, the S26 Ultra offers substantial improvements in both rear and front camera performance.
