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.
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
3
Not as great as the hype...
on May 10, 2026
Posted by: 1971Chevelle
I 'upgraded' from the S24 Ultra, and I actually would prefer to have the S24 back. This phone is not as strong - you can literally get the body to twist in your hands. The S24 body was much stronger, but you still have to pay the same price for a phone that is not as strong.
The battery life seems to be about the same - no improvement over the S24.
I personally am not seeing any difference in the cameras. The S26 Ultra might be a little sharper, but not a lot.
Samsung's decision to drop Samsung Messages has left us with the garbage known as Google Messages. Google just doesn't get it. They are HORRIBLE at interface design. We FINALLY got a trash can, but it is inferior to the Samsung version. You can only move an ENTIRE conversation into the trash. If you only want to delete part of a conversation, then it is permanently deleted - no retrieving it from the trash if you happen to need it. Then when you do delete part of a conversation, there are multiple lines in the app that say "RCS chat with (contact)" followed by the date and time of that message. So STUPID. Google's design team needs to start paying attention to how other companies do it and correct their massive mistakes.
Qi wireless charging is also not as consistent on the S26. Due to the MASSIVE camera array, it makes it more difficult to get the phone into the correct position on the charging pad.
As for the display, the S24 just looks better with the sharp corners. The rounded corners on the S26 do not add anything to the experience at all. Both display have the same resolution and brightness, so unless you NEED the privacy feature, it is not an upgrade.
The speed of the S26 is up a little bit from the S24, but it is not that much faster. Booting up is where I see the most improvement, but other than that, the S24 performs just fine.
Overall I am not that impressed. The only plus is that I got enough in trade for my S24 that I paid less than half price for this one. I think that these manufacturers need to stop feeling the need to release new phones EVERY SINGLE year, and start focusing on making ACTUAL improvements. No one needs a new phone every year - it is just beyond wasteful.
Features
3
Performance
3
Design
2
Value
2
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, May 11, 2026
Hi there 1971Chevelle, thank you for taking time out of your day to share your thoughts about your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We know how important it is to feel that you've upgraded to a new device that is exciting to use every day, and that you are feel has been upgraded. We have provided links to resources to help you maximize your experience with Galaxy AI, the new Privacy Display, camera features, and additional changes that have been made to your device. We have also shared a link to the Samsung Support Team to assist you any time you have questions about your device. We appreciate you being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth Galaxy S26 AI Experience https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10010424/ Use the S Pen with Galaxy S26 Ultra https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10010344/ Use camera features on Galaxy S26 https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10010343/ Product Manuals https://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/ Samsung Support smsng.us/Samsung-Support Samsung Community smsng.us/Samsung-Community Facebook smsng.us/Facebook-Messenger X https://smsng.us/X-Messages
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
1
It came delivered with a dead pixel when I opened
on March 9, 2026
Posted by: Noodle
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Was really looking forward to trying out the new features, but have to get it replaced first... the privacy display still looked cool before I put it back in the box. Will say the customer service has been good, but this is on the s26u specifically. Never had a phone come with a defect, ever.
Value
1
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, March 10, 2026
Hi Noodle, we appreciate you sharing your experience of your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We completely understand how disappointing it is when you have a brand new device that is not meeting your expectations. We have provided links to the Samsung Support Team and your warranty information if you are still needing to resolve this matter with your device. We appreciate you being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth Samsung Support smsng.us/Samsung-Support Samsung Community smsng.us/Samsung-Community Facebook smsng.us/Facebook-Messenger X https://smsng.us/X-Messages Samsung Warranty smsng.us/Warranty-Info
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Super smooth operation
on March 12, 2026
Posted by: MommaT
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I only use Samsung phones. I upgraded from a S22+ to the Ultra. The little difference in size is amazing. The operation on the phone is amazing. Im just learning all it can so. I've downloaded the try galaxy to learn more
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Great Features and ups the game from s25 Ultra
on March 13, 2026
Posted by: Shepelectronics
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I had a galaxy s25 Ultra and although on paper, the s26 Ultra doesn't seem like a huge difference but it really is. The 60 watt cord charging and 25 watt wireless charging really helps even though the battery is the same size as the s25. It does make a difference. Also the chip makes the battery run more efficient. The Galaxy AI on this phone is pretty amazing. The things that you can do straight from your gallery is awesome. Transforming any picture into anything that you want pretty much. Also the creative Studio where you can make greeting cards or invitations is a nice touch as well. The privacy screen is awesome and does a pretty good job. Also the audio eraser AI is great and now you can use it with third party apps and it works pretty well. I can tell from the s25 ultra that the s26 ultra definitely moves faster and the screen is amazingly clear and bright and colorful. The Galaxy AI on this phone is definitely a step up it seems. Also the camera even though on paper is the same as the s25, I can tell that it is better. The photos it takes look amazingly clear and color perfection. Definitely if you're upgrading from an s23 or s24 I would recommend getting the s26 Ultra but I would get the ultra rather than the Plus or the regular model. The ultra is where the s26 line shines.
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
1
Screen issues
on March 19, 2026
Posted by: Whywhy
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The new privacy feature makes the screen blurry and dim even when the feature is off. This is a terrible compromise for a useless feature.
Value
1
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, March 20, 2026
Hello Whywhy, thank you for sharing your experience of your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We know how frustrating it is when your new device is not meeting your expectations in appearance and functionality. We have provided a link to the Samsung Support Team to assist you if you believe the display of your device without the Privacy Display settings enabled is not operating as intended. We appreciate you being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth Samsung Support smsng.us/Samsung-Support Samsung Community smsng.us/Samsung-Community Facebook smsng.us/Facebook-Messenger X https://smsng.us/X-Messages
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
1
Horrible battery even worse, grumpy tech support
on March 19, 2026
Posted by: Wasadiehardfan
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The camera is nice but the battery was defective from the day I got it. I was given the run around by tech for many days and after about 50 phone calls I finally got a resolution from the other team. Tech support was absolutly horrifying. I have officially lost my love for Samsung.
Value
1
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, March 20, 2026
Hello there, thank you for sharing your experience of your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We understand how distressing it is to have a new device that you believe is not operating as intended, and how that can increase when you are needing to discuss with different groups options for a resolution. We have provided links to troubleshooting guides to help maximize the battery life of your device if you experience this frustration again. We have also provided a link to the Samsung Support Team to assist you any time you have questions about your device. 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 smsng.us/Samsung-Support Samsung Community smsng.us/Samsung-Community Facebook smsng.us/Facebook-Messenger X https://smsng.us/X-Messages