Customer Reviews for Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB - White (Verizon)
Customer Rating
5
I love this phone!
on March 24, 2026
Posted by: Paul H
from Pitman, NJ
I pre-ordered the Galaxy S26 Ultra, 256 GB, in Cobalt Violet and received it exactly one day before they arrived in stores for the product launch. I am coming from a Galaxy S22+, which I have had for close to 4 years and was entirely happy with. But since the S26 Ultra is four whole generations ahead of that phone, I was ready for an upgrade. I was expecting a huge leap in performance, and I have not been disappointed. I have been using this device for about 2 weeks now and here are my thoughts. Out of the box the Cobalt Violet is quite striking and depending on the angle and how it is lit, can make the tint go from a titanium gray to shades of bluish purple.
A lot has been said about the new privacy display, good and bad. Samsung recognized the need for a privacy screen that could be turned on and off, as many were using a dedicated snap on screen which reduced the clarity of the AMOLED display. The new privacy screen can be turned on and off quickly and you can be selective on which apps to activate. I chose to add my banking and brokerage accounts for example as this is a very useful security feature to have when viewing sensitive apps in public.
The display is not quite as bright off axis as the prior S24 Ultra. Both have 2600 nit max brightness but compared to my wife’s S24 Ultra there is a very slight drop off in brightness. However, I am not even close to having the brightness maxed out so this can be easily compensated for. One thing to point out is Samsung had to modify the Gorilla Armor display to accommodate the privacy display. This results in a matte looking screen, rather than the glossier look the S24 has. They both look great, just different.
Another highly touted feature is what Samsung calls “Agentic AI”. Bixby finally works the way it should, there are subtle suggestions and most are actually useful. I was also surprised at how fun it is to use “Photo Assist”. You don’t like the green shirt someone is wearing? A beer bottle laying in the lawn? How about a plain sky in an otherwise nice landscape? No problem! Change the shirt to the desired color, erase the beer bottle, and switch the sky to puffy white clouds, or maybe a sunset! The AI works incredibly well. The other really cool new feature is the Horizontal Lock when shooting videos. In conjunction with Super Steady Mode, it keeps the video perfectly level with the horizon, great for action sports and one handed filming.
One thing I haven’t heard mentioned in online reviews is how much better the sound quality is through the media speaker. The bass is deeper, with a fuller richer sound and overall tonal balance is improved over the earlier Ultra’s.
I must say the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a pure joy to use and having previously owned Galaxy’s S5, S8, and S22+, I can say without a doubt this is the finest smartphone I have ever used, and a flagship in every sense of the word.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
5
Design
5
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
4
I miss the old s-pen features like a lot from s22u
on March 24, 2026
Posted by: Bigburger
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Galaxy ai has some neat features that take a bit away from amazing hardware on the s26 ultra and im so excited about the phone but I wish I could use the spen features that were taken away that were so amazing, plugging my phone into the tv and holding the spen to control everything made me feel like a god for having such an amazing device just always in my pocket but now with such a heavy loss of features it makes me just hope for a return in the future for something that shouldn't have left in the first place
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Super fast and very adaptive.
on March 24, 2026
Posted by: Tommkitty
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has officially turned my phone from a tool I manage into a partner that understands my life. The shift to a thinner, 214g frame with rounded edges means it no longer digs into my palm, but the real impact is how Galaxy AI feels woven into my day. Features like "Now Nudge" act like a digital assistant, suggesting my coffee order or traffic alerts before I even ask. For my commute, the "Flex Magic Pixel" privacy display is a lifesaver, letting me handle sensitive emails on a crowded train without worrying about prying eyes. As a heavy user, the upgrade to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is most noticeable during downtime. Streaming 8K video is seamless, and gaming feels like a console experience—the 24% GPU boost and redesigned vapor chamber keep everything fluid and cool even during high-intensity sessions. With 60W charging and a battery that consistently ends the day at 40%, my "battery anxiety" is officially cured. The S26 Ultra doesn't just offer better specs; it offers a more frictionless way to live.
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
This smartphone has it all for my uses
on March 24, 2026
Posted by: Dageeone75a
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have been a samsung only guy since the early days. I started with the note 5 then the s8+ then onto the s21u (still current active device) and now using my s26u for everything while I'm home using the wifi for connecting this ultimate device. I'm waiting on the case I ordered to activate my s26u as my sole current device and shelve my s21u finally bringing a much needed rest to it. The camera is great taking all the photos in the manner I need at the time I take them. I really like that this machine is the top of the line 1tb version I always wanted so I would not have a storage issue unlike my s21u which was a 256gb version and I came close to having it overpacked full of not useful material without having to constantly erasing data and photos. Having the galaxy AI is neat for handling the information and suggestions I may miss in my daily routines. Like I keep writing, this phone packs a punch and I enjoy the way it knocks my amazement out once I discover how much the technology has improved in about 5 years of smartphone implementation.
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Just as good as it was promised.
on March 24, 2026
Posted by: SAMFAN4LIFE
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Samsung hit it out of the park again. I upgraded from my S24 Ultra and Fold 7 to the S26 Ultra. I do not regret this choice, "Galaxy AI" has made photo editing, and translation a breeze. The phone feels great in hand, and performance is smooth and fast. Couple all of this with One UI and you have the complete package. I have been a Samsung user for a long time and with each new device, they continue to solidify why I choose them over everyone else.
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
My new fav
on March 25, 2026
Posted by: Kitkat9896
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love all the new features like Galaxy AI, it's so fast and smooth. I use it mainly as creator for meta and insta. I'm excited to use all the features.
Value
5
Response from Samsung USBy R&R Team, March 25, 2026
Hey Kitkat9896, thank you for sharing your thoughts about your Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with us. We are thrilled to hear how much you love all of the new and enhanced features available on your device, and that you are finding it to operate fast and smooth during your usage. We have provided a link to the complete manual to help you maximize your experience and express your creativity during creation. We have also provided a link to the Samsung Support Team to assist you if any questions come up as you continue using 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
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
Best on the market
on March 27, 2026
Posted by: Baddie478
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This phone is hands down the absolute best phone Inpersonally have EVER used. It is amazing in so many ways I lost count. The screen is crisp and clear. The features are 1000% better than every phone I have ever had. It has so many features that are new and improved. It's by far the best phone on the market. It's worth every penny. It even has Galaxy AI !! Wow!! It will blow your mind, if you haven't already, RUN AND GO GET YOURSELF ONE! Thank me later