Customer reviews from Samsung US
Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB - Black (Verizon)
Average customer rating
4.8
(13,283 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 13,283 reviews
5 Stars
11,606
4 Stars
1,338
3 Stars
202
2 Stars
54
1 Star
83
65%of customers recommend this product.
(
91 out of
139)
Customer Reviews for Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB - Black (Verizon)
Customer Rating
1
The screen is so much worse than expected
on March 12, 2026
Posted by: Andromeda
from Minnesota
I don't know that I have ever been so disappointed in a phone upgrade. I have been running galaxies since the S3 and am upgrading from an S23 Ultra. Don't get me wrong, the processor and raw performance of the S26U are top-notch and that is the *only* reason why I haven't returned it immidiately. The screen of the S26U is absolutely atrocious. Especially when placed next to the S23U, the S26U is washed out with an old led-like look. It feels like comparing an old backlit pixelated Gameboy next to an AMOLED panel. Its astonishing how bad the S26U looks. The S26U is also less than half the brightness of the S23U despite claiming the opposite. The screen brightness of the S26U does not really change past 25% of the slider and wont go any brighter even after turning off adaptive displays etc. whereas the S23U clearly gets brighter and brighter to maximum. You can also clearly see all of the added black space in the S26U panel for the physical structure of the privacy pixels when on a screen with lots of white space adding to the feel that I am looking at an old pixelated 2004 era screen. The cameras seems to be slightly better on the S26U vs. the S23U, especially the telephoto 5x. There is no difference in battery other than the new snapdragon is more powerful and does not need to "work as hard" so you can get a bit more life out of it on the S26U. Its such a major disapointment and other than the raw performance of the chip and equivalent cameras, it feels like a massive downgrade in all other aspects. I just haven't yet decided if the performance gains outweigh the extensive downsides.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Features
2
Performance
5
Design
4
Value
2
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, March 12, 2026
Hello Andromeda, thank you for taking time out of your day to share your experience of your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We know how distressing it is when your new device is not meeting your expectations in functionality. We have provided a link to the complete manual for your device to help you adjust different display settings to best align to your preferences, and discover all of the enhanced features and new capabilities of your device like Galaxy AI and horizontal lock. We have also shared a link to the Samsung Support Team to assist you if you continue to experience this frustration, or have questions as you continue using your device. We appreciate you being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth
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Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
3
Overall decent but not amazing
on May 6, 2026
Posted by: Just a guy
from Columbia, SC
Overall the phone works as it should. The privacy display is pretty cool but I feel it's a bit overrated. While it does dim the screen when viewing at an angle, my wife pointed out that it doesn't really work as she could still see the screen. Also if you turn on the maximum privacy it turns the entire screen a light gray color even when viewing it head on and is pretty pointless. The new camera features are absolutely awesome!!! I've always loved Samsung for the quality of photos. My wife and her family all have iphones and she has always been jealous of my camera. Speaking of camera functions, the new s-pen took away the main feature I used for, the ability to use the pen as a remote for pictures. I would take family photos and use the pen so I could be in it and not try to use a timer for pictures of 15 to 20 people, but those day are gone now since the s-pen is no longer Bluetooth. Performance wise i haven't had any issue, but then again I didn't have issue with my s22 ultra either. Battery life is good, last all day while streaming and doom scrolling. I do question the durability though, phone feels cheaper and fragile in hand without a case. Thankfully I haven't dropped it yet. Overall it's a good phone, but i would have been happy keeping my s22 ultra if it wasn't so worn out. Just to add, all this focus on Ai this and Ai that is lame and useless, personally I don't need my phone or any computer for that matter, thinking and generating art or music. If you don't NEED a new phone, wait until a better option is available.
Features
3
Performance
5
Design
3
Value
2
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, May 7, 2026
Hello Just a guy, thank you for your feedback on your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. We are pleased to hear you are happy with the performance and camera of your new device. We have provided a link to the complete manual to help you with the hand gestures and voice commands you can use with your camera for the big family photos and selfies you mention wanting to experience, and adjust the settings of your Privacy Display to only enable for specific apps or notifications to help you have the brightness you may seek from the display while having the privacy when needed. We have also shared a link to an article to help you with the different features of Galaxy AI that go beyond artistic endeavors to help you with different ways to stay organized and streamline daily tasks. We have lastly, provided a link to the Samsung Support Team to assist you further any time you have questions about your device. We appreciate you being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth
Product Manuals
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Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Good Refresh from S23
on April 7, 2026
Posted by: Sandmans
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Just like at my job I use Galaxy AI to complete remedial tasks which makes daily use nice to have.
Coming from the s23 Ultra the s26 Ultra is a good refresh and good phone overall.
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
1
bad model s26 is bad name for ultra
on March 12, 2026
Posted by: bryan a
from Broomfield Colorado
ultra 26 is very bad stay away from this bad performance battery dies so fast
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Features
2
Performance
1
Design
5
Value
5
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, March 12, 2026
Hi Bryan A, thank you for taking time out of your day to provide feedback on your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. We completely understand how distressing it can be when your device is not operating as intended or expected. The battery of your device is designed to learn your consumption habits and adjust to maximize after a short period of usage. If this is not your experience, we have provided links to articles to help you maximize the battery life manually on your device. We have also provided a link to the Samsung Support Team to assist you if this experience continues with your device, or you have questions during your usage. We appreciate you being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth
Get the most out of your Galaxy phone or tablet battery
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00078987/
Apps are draining battery on Galaxy phone or tablet
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/troubleshooting/TSG01001388/
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https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00078987/
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https://www.samsung.com/us/support/troubleshooting/TSG01001388/
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Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
1
Not a significant upgrade
on March 12, 2026
Posted by: Slafshopz
from Las Vegas
Decided to return for 3 reasons: 1) trade in refund same regardless of storage. I have 1T. Trade in value same as 256Gb.
2) no Qi 2.1
3) no battery tech upgrade
2) no Qi 2.1
3) no battery tech upgrade
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Features
3
Performance
4
Design
5
Value
2
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, March 13, 2026
Hello there Slafshopz, we appreciate you taking time out of your day to share your thoughts about your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We know it can be disappointing it can be when you have a new device that is not meeting your expectations. New cases with the magnetic charging do allow for the Qi 2 charging you are seeking with your device. We have also shared links to articles to help you maximize the battery life of your device at your convenience. We have lastly, provided a link to the Samsung Support Team to assist you if you have questions about your Samsung products. We appreciate you being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth
Get the most out of your Galaxy phone or tablet battery
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00078987/
Apps are draining battery on Galaxy phone or tablet
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/troubleshooting/TSG01001388/
Samsung Support
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Samsung Community
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X
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Get the most out of your Galaxy phone or tablet battery
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00078987/
Apps are draining battery on Galaxy phone or tablet
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/troubleshooting/TSG01001388/
Samsung Support
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Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Much Better Than I Expected
on March 12, 2026
Posted by: p0tat0bread
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I upgraded to this phone from the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which was a tough decision because I really loved that phone. You could say that I was a little apprehensive, but I'm very pleasantly surprised with the S26 Ultra.
The screen is so beautiful, great resolution and beautiful colors. I know some people complain about the anti-glare coating, but I've had zero issues with that. The privacy display feature is pretty neat, it'll definitely come in handy.
A lot of the Galaxy AI features are new to me since I was upgrading from a 2022 model. I've been enjoying the Daily Briefs and the call assist features.
I like that they still incorporated the s-pen even with the new design. Speaking of the design- I really thought I wouldn't like the new shape based on the photos, but it actually feels great once I'm holding it in my hands. It's less different from the old design than it seems in the pictures.
My only disappointment is the lack of 10x optical zoom on this, I will definitely miss that. I know the digital zoom is supposed to make up for that, but I tested the two phones side by side and the 10x zoom on the S26U just doesn't look nearly as good as the 10x zoom on the S22U.
Overall I'm very happy with my new phone and I'm glad I made the upgrade!
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Still love
on March 25, 2026
Posted by: alwaysbeensamsung
from Mitten
I have always had Samsung phones, I'm talking since Edge and before. I purchased my first note over ten years ago, and have been hooked on the S pen since. Even when I had a Z Flip I always kept an Ultra as it is a premium phone in my opinion. I say all that to get to (Samsung if you're listening) the sub par S pen with the S26 Ultra. I am coming from the S24 Ultra which I absolutely love and has the Bluetooth S pen. I am really interested as to why this feature would be removed from the star of the show. For everything that was upgraded--I do love the privacy screen--why remove this? Add it back and keep it or improve UP, not down. It is the only thing so far that I feel slightly regretful for as I loved it for pics. Now that my S pen rant is over, the phone is fantastic! Noticeably lighter than the S24 Ultra, and I'm not mad at the rounded edges. Camera, AI, Display, great improvements! I think I'll go ahead and finally pack up the S24 Ultra as the other upgrades outweigh my S pen disappointment.
Features
4
Performance
5
Design
5
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
A very impressive smart Galaxy AI cellphone.
on April 14, 2026
Posted by: Dany123
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I've been genuinely impressed with this Galaxy AI S26 Ultra. It strikes a perfect balance between performance, design, and everyday usability. From the moment I started using it, everything felt smooth and responsive. Apps open quickly, and multitasking is seamless.
The display is another standout feature. Colors are vibrant without being over-saturated, and the brightness makes it easy to use even in direct sunlight. Watching videos or scrolling through photos is a really enjoyable experience, thanks to the sharp resolution and fluid refresh rate.
Battery life has also exceeded my expectations. It easily lasts through a full day of regular use, and the fast charging feature is a huge bonus when I need a quick top-up.
The camera system delivers consistently great results. Photos come out clear, detailed, and well-balanced in various lighting conditions. Whether it's quick snapshots or more intentional shots, the quality holds up nicely.
On top of all that, the design feels modern and comfortable to hold. It has a premium look without being fragile.
Overall, this Galaxy AI S26 Ultra delivers exactly what I want in a cellphone -- reliability, speed, and a great user experience.
The display is another standout feature. Colors are vibrant without being over-saturated, and the brightness makes it easy to use even in direct sunlight. Watching videos or scrolling through photos is a really enjoyable experience, thanks to the sharp resolution and fluid refresh rate.
Battery life has also exceeded my expectations. It easily lasts through a full day of regular use, and the fast charging feature is a huge bonus when I need a quick top-up.
The camera system delivers consistently great results. Photos come out clear, detailed, and well-balanced in various lighting conditions. Whether it's quick snapshots or more intentional shots, the quality holds up nicely.
On top of all that, the design feels modern and comfortable to hold. It has a premium look without being fragile.
Overall, this Galaxy AI S26 Ultra delivers exactly what I want in a cellphone -- reliability, speed, and a great user experience.
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US