[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I bought the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and returned my S25 Ultra for credit to Samsung, but it feels like a solid yet underwhelming step up—more of a refinement than a game-changer. It's slimmer and lighter, but the core design and hardware echo the S25 Ultra too closely for me to call it a true upgrade—glad I tested it, but next time I'll wait for something bolder.
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
3
Win Some, Lose Some.
on March 16, 2026
Posted by: Luce
Pros: Improved camera and new camera features like Super Steady and Horizontal Lock. Better performance, privacy screen, and AI nudge. Better physical build too.
Cons: They took away Samsung messages. Google messages has no organization to it and zero aesthetic appeal, so be prepared to have to deal with every spam text and verification code going straight to your main chat category. Lastly, they make you have to use their keyboard for the nudge features. This wouldn't be a problem if their keyboard weren't absolutely horrible at autocorrect. It won't do it in most apps, and sometimes it autocorrects to nonsense. It rarely functions correctly. Additionally, they removed the BLE S Pen, so the new version is a downgrade that can't control media playback or be used as a capture button.
Overall, it's kind of a trade-off for features they haven't actually ironed out yet (compared to the S24 Ultra).
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 17, 2026
Hey Luce, we appreciate you taking time out of your day to share your thoughts about your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We are pleased to hear that you are enjoying the enhanced camera quality, horizontal lock, and performance of your new device. We have provided a link to the complete manual for your device to help you adjust the messaging settings, keyboard settings available on your device, as well as the voice commands and hand gestures you can use with your camera. We have also shared a link to an article to help you with the redesigned S Pen features of your device. Lastly, we have provided a link to the Samsung Support Team to assist you any time you have questions about your Samsung products. Thank you for being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth Use the S Pen with Galaxy S26 Ultra https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10010344/ 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
Not great - Bloatware Fest
on March 18, 2026
Posted by: Skeptical Customer
The Phone is nice. The bloatware is horrible. Even after you turn it off it keeps coming back. I upgraded from a S22 and it overwrite most of my settings and just took control of my phone. There are slot of things I don't want to use on here (I have my own software preferences) yet I can't turn the Samsung feature off. Dex has gotten clutzy too. It does not work as well as on previous versions of the phone. Time will tell, but I am not sure I am happy with this upgrade.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Features
1
Performance
5
Design
3
Value
2
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, March 19, 2026
Hello Skeptical Customer, thank you for sharing your thoughts about your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We know how distressing it can be when you are attempting to best align the settings to your preferences, and disable features you are not seeking to use on a daily basis. We have provided links to the complete manual and the Samsung Support Team to help you accomplish this task and ensure your device is operating as intended. We appreciate you being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth 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
3
The button is gone
on April 1, 2026
Posted by: Melsugarmouse
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The button on the stylish pin doesn't connect to take a picture any more. This makes it much harder to take a photo. I use my phone and tripod. Now I have to use Galaxy AI for this? I Want My Button Back!
Value
3
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, April 2, 2026
Hey Melsurgarmouse, we appreciate you taking time out of your day to share your thoughts about your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We understand how disappointing it can be when a setting and feature you have used in the past has been changed. We have provided a link to the complete manual for your device to help you with the hand gestures and voice commands you can use for remote camera control on your device. 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 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
3
No different then 25 ultra, just a few features
on April 4, 2026
Posted by: JJJJJJJJJJJJ
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The software update could have made the difference between the 25 or the 26
Value
3
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, April 6, 2026
Hello JJJJJJJJJJJJ, thank you for your feedback on your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. We completely understand how disappointing it can be to feel that your new device has not been upgraded enough for your expectations. We have provided a link to the complete manual to help you fully discover the new features like the Privacy Display and horizontal lock, as well as the enhanced features of Galaxy AI. We have also shared a link to the Samsung Support Team for your convenience if you have questions as you continue using your device. Thank you for being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth 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
3
Disappointed for S pen
on April 6, 2026
Posted by: Tony
S pen without the camera shutter function is very disappointed, it makes the phone 50% less functional.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Features
3
Performance
4
Design
2
Value
2
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, April 6, 2026
Hello Tony, thank you for sharing your thoughts about your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We understand how disappointing it can be when features you have used in the past have been changed. We have provided links to resources to help you discover the redesigned S Pen capabilities, and help you discover the hand gestures and voice commands you can use with the camera on your device. We have also shared a link to the Samsung Support Team to offer additional assistance any time you have questions about your device. We appreciate you being a Samsung customer. -Elizabeth Use the S Pen with Galaxy S26 Ultra https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10010344/ 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
4
Great phone
on April 14, 2026
Posted by: Rjmfrommich
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The phone works great. Snappy performance. I'm taking a start away because it doesn't have integrated magnets for charging. Display is great. Super battery life. The galaxy ai is not important to my uses.
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Galaxy S26 Ultra: Next Level in Every Way
on April 17, 2026
Posted by: Phenomenal
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have been using the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and it has completely redefined what I expect from a smartphone.
The Galaxy AI features are smarter and more intuitive than ever. Circle to Search, real-time Live Translate, and AI note assistance are part of my daily routine. The on-device AI feels faster and more accurate with every use.
The camera system is breathtaking. Every shot comes out sharp, detailed, and true to life whether in bright sunlight or low light. The zoom range and video capabilities are truly in a class of their own.
The S Pen experience is smoother and more responsive than any previous generation. Writing, sketching, and annotating feels completely natural on the stunning large display.
Performance is exceptional across everything I do, from streaming and gaming to managing school projects and work tasks. The battery easily handles a full day of heavy use without any concern.
Samsung has raised the bar once again. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the most powerful and intelligent smartphone I have ever used. It is the only device a serious user will ever need.