Customer reviews from Samsung US
Samsung - Refurbished Excellent - Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB (Unlocked) - Black
Average customer rating
4.8
(12,124 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 12,124 reviews
5 Stars
10,641
4 Stars
1,198
3 Stars
178
2 Stars
42
1 Star
65
66%of customers recommend this product.
(
79 out of
120)
Customer Reviews for Samsung - Refurbished Excellent - Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB (Unlocked) - Black
Customer Rating
5
Innovation and consistency
on March 10, 2026
Posted by: themasonera
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I've really enjoyed the new features that Samsung continues to push with these new phones. There's opportunity for growth but this is the best overall phone on the market! The Galaxy Ai features integrated within the camera and day to day are phenomenal!! In today's era of smartphones the spftwarebis what makes your product great and hardware is a slight second with so many great phones.
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
4
Overall great upgrade experience
on March 10, 2026
Posted by: daalocni
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Traded in my old 128 GB Galaxy Note 20 Ultra from 2020 to upgrade to the new Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB with 16 gigs of Ram.
Upgrading to the Galaxy S26 Ultra is a massive change across six years of evolution, perhaps too many to list. The performance gap is the first thing that I noticed. The S26 Ultra handles Android with a fluidity that made my aging Note felt very sluggish. Tasks that taxed the Note’s processor are now handled with efficiency and significantly better thermal management.
However, a Note loyalist like myself faces some hardware friction. A slight downside is the loss of the S Pen’s Bluetooth camera shutter functionality. The workaround, buying a separate (and now forgetable) Bluetooth shutter button, means carrying an extra accessory that the S Pen used to house internally.
The display also sees a slight trade-off due to the new display with it's new privacy feature. While great for security, I noticed a bit more shifting or dimming if the phone isn't pointed directly at my face. Additionally, the awkward placement of the bottom 5x zoom camera shifts the internal magnets, preventing many MagSafe-style accessories from seating properly (when using a magenetic case). Despite all, the sheer jump in power and software makes the S26 Ultra a formidable, if slightly different, successor to my Note, which I would surely recommend to anyone upgrading from older phones like myself.
Upgrading to the Galaxy S26 Ultra is a massive change across six years of evolution, perhaps too many to list. The performance gap is the first thing that I noticed. The S26 Ultra handles Android with a fluidity that made my aging Note felt very sluggish. Tasks that taxed the Note’s processor are now handled with efficiency and significantly better thermal management.
However, a Note loyalist like myself faces some hardware friction. A slight downside is the loss of the S Pen’s Bluetooth camera shutter functionality. The workaround, buying a separate (and now forgetable) Bluetooth shutter button, means carrying an extra accessory that the S Pen used to house internally.
The display also sees a slight trade-off due to the new display with it's new privacy feature. While great for security, I noticed a bit more shifting or dimming if the phone isn't pointed directly at my face. Additionally, the awkward placement of the bottom 5x zoom camera shifts the internal magnets, preventing many MagSafe-style accessories from seating properly (when using a magenetic case). Despite all, the sheer jump in power and software makes the S26 Ultra a formidable, if slightly different, successor to my Note, which I would surely recommend to anyone upgrading from older phones like myself.
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
4
A worthwhile upgrade with a few tradeoffs
on March 10, 2026
Posted by: GalaxyLover15
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Coming from a S22 Ultra, I can see significant improvement. The device overall is thinner, lighter and faster. The software is snappy and smooth. The camera is amazing, especially the updated nitography! The Galaxy AI is a welcome addition with lots of fun tricks embedded throughout. The Privacy Display is incredible and such a welcome upgrade in an age where phone have added nothing new in years. However, the pen feels like a downgrade in terms of features and build. It feels cheaper than my S22 and I miss the Bluetooth capabilities. The camera setup while sleek interferes with most Magsafe accessories, setting the phone behind it's competition. Overall, a very worthwhile upgrade with some neat tricks and great improvements.
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Samsung is now and always
on March 10, 2026
Posted by: ConfusedAllen
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I recently got the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and honestly I’m really excited about it. I’ve been using Samsung phones for years. I still have my Galaxy S20+ BTS edition, and more recently I’ve been using the Galaxy Z Flip 5 from the Stray Kids SLBS bundle. I love the Flip design, but when it comes to recording concerts, the Galaxy S series cameras are just better for zooming in from far away.
I usually upgrade about every three years, so I skipped the S25 since I had just gotten the Flip 5. When I finally opened the S26 Ultra box I actually gasped because it looks so good. Right now I’m almost afraid to use it because I don’t have a case yet. I know Samsung doesn't brake but I want to keep it looking as pristine as possible.
Samsung phones also aren’t the only products I use. I have two pairs of Galaxy Buds BTS edition, and Buds Live BTS edition, the Stray Kids Buds2 Pro and Watch6 from the Flip 5 bundle, and I also just got the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. I would love to use the Stray Kids Buds case with the new ones, but the Buds 4 Pro are slightly bigger so they don’t fit. I still got them anyway because I like the sound quality, but right now I’m being careful with them until I get a protective case.
Most of what I use my phone for is calling, texting, streaming, and sometimes games, but the camera quality for concerts and reliability of the company and software is the biggest reason I stick with Samsung. These products are my 24/7/365. Can't wait to use him in action!
I usually upgrade about every three years, so I skipped the S25 since I had just gotten the Flip 5. When I finally opened the S26 Ultra box I actually gasped because it looks so good. Right now I’m almost afraid to use it because I don’t have a case yet. I know Samsung doesn't brake but I want to keep it looking as pristine as possible.
Samsung phones also aren’t the only products I use. I have two pairs of Galaxy Buds BTS edition, and Buds Live BTS edition, the Stray Kids Buds2 Pro and Watch6 from the Flip 5 bundle, and I also just got the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. I would love to use the Stray Kids Buds case with the new ones, but the Buds 4 Pro are slightly bigger so they don’t fit. I still got them anyway because I like the sound quality, but right now I’m being careful with them until I get a protective case.
Most of what I use my phone for is calling, texting, streaming, and sometimes games, but the camera quality for concerts and reliability of the company and software is the biggest reason I stick with Samsung. These products are my 24/7/365. Can't wait to use him in action!
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
3
Nice phone seems a little alower than the note 20
on March 10, 2026
Posted by: Urgdad303
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The new phone is nice. It does seem like the computer is slower reaction time than the note 20ultra. Need more time to gave a full review
Value
3
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, March 10, 2026
Hi there Urgdad303, thank you for sharing your experience of your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We are happy to hear that you are finding your upgraded device to be nice, and we would love to help you maximize the speed of your device. We have provided a link to an article to help you with the refresh rate of your device. We have also shared a link to the Samsung Support Team to offer additional assistance if you believe your device is not operating as intended. We appreciate you being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth
How to adjust refresh rate options on your Galaxy phone or tablet
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10003396/
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Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Truly 'Agentic'—The smartest phone I've owned.
on March 10, 2026
Posted by: LoveSamsung
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The transition to 'Agentic AI' is noticeable. I’ve found myself using the integrated AI (Bixby/Perplexity) for almost all my queries because it actually understands the context of what I'm doing. It saves me so much time by automating the little things.
The hardware is top-tier, but the software is what wins. Also, the social validation is real—everybody praises the photos I take. The new AI-powered ISP handles skin tones and textures so well that even basic snapshots look like professional headshots. It’s the first time a phone’s AI feels like a helpful partner rather than just a gimmick."
The hardware is top-tier, but the software is what wins. Also, the social validation is real—everybody praises the photos I take. The new AI-powered ISP handles skin tones and textures so well that even basic snapshots look like professional headshots. It’s the first time a phone’s AI feels like a helpful partner rather than just a gimmick."
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
I am surprised at how light it is and its axy text
on March 10, 2026
Posted by: Yiye1980
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I'm going to leave my review about my latest Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra purchase. It was a very easy purchase, received on time, and the service was excellent. I recommend using the Samsung Shop app. I'm delighted.
For the past couple of years, I've been buying cell phones for either my wife or myself, and I've never had any problems with deliveries. In fact, swapping phones is super easy and straightforward. I have the S25 Ultra, and yesterday I received my wife's S26 Ultra—a magnificent phone. Thank you, Samsung, for always innovating technology.
For the past couple of years, I've been buying cell phones for either my wife or myself, and I've never had any problems with deliveries. In fact, swapping phones is super easy and straightforward. I have the S25 Ultra, and yesterday I received my wife's S26 Ultra—a magnificent phone. Thank you, Samsung, for always innovating technology.
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Best one yet
on March 10, 2026
Posted by: Mlritter01
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have been a long time Galaxy user (since the S4 days) and they just keep getting better and better. I wasn't 100% sold on upgrading because I still loved my S24 Ultra, but I figured I would tune into the Unpacked event to see what new updates they were bring this year.
I was on the website putting in my pre-order before the event was even over... Between the built-in privacy screen to the enhanced AI to the Horizon Lock I had more than enough ammo to justify the upgrade for this years phone.
Now that I have the phone in my hand (it arrived 2 days earlier than the original delivery date), I can honestly say that I made a great decision in doing so. I haven't had the opportunity to truly utilize all of the new features just yet, but I am already blown away by the phone.
If you're on the fence about upgrading this year- do it! I'm excited to be one of the first to get this device and take advantage of the innovations Samsung is leading the way with.
Value
5
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, March 11, 2026
Hey there Mlritter01, we appreciate you taking time out of your day to share your experience of your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We are ecstatic to hear that you are loving the enhanced features, addition of the privacy display, and how amazed you were to receive your new device prior to the promised date. We have shared a link to the Samsung Support Team for your convenience if any questions come up as you continue using your device. We appreciate youbeing a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth
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Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US