The annual update of the Galaxy S-series is here, featuring the S26 Ultra with Qualcomm's latest flagship chip, an innovative privacy display to safeguard your screen from prying eyes, and the fastest charging capabilities seen in a Galaxy device to date. The new model is slightly thinner (7.2mm) and lighter (214 grams) than its predecessor, transitioning from a titanium frame to aluminum while retaining the durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back.
Visually, there aren’t major changes on the front – watch the video here. The device sports a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution and an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1-120Hz. With a peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits, the display maintains the brightness levels of the S25 Ultra and is protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2. The beloved S Pen continues to be included this year, although it remains Bluetooth-less. Additional features such as an impressive anti-reflective display coating, ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, and a 12MP selfie camera are also present.
A standout feature is the new Privacy Display, which dims sections of the screen when viewed from an angle. This hardware innovation allows Samsung to selectively dim pixels so they appear black when observed from the side. This feature is particularly beneficial for protecting sensitive information during commutes in public spaces. The privacy settings can be enabled manually or set for automatic activation while on the move.
In contrast to the standard S26 models, the S26 Ultra is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy across all markets. This powerful chip pairs with 12GB of RAM in the base 256GB storage version and the 512GB model, while the 1TB variant boasts an upgraded 16GB of RAM.
The camera system retains the impressive 200MP main lens from last year, now enhanced with a wider f/1.4 aperture for improved low-light performance. Samsung claims this upgraded sensor can capture 47% more light than its predecessor.
The 10MP 3x telephoto camera now uses a smaller 1/3.94” sensor, compared to the 1/3.52” imager on the S25 Ultra, while the 50MP 5x telephoto boasts an updated f/2.9 aperture that is 37% brighter. The 50MP ultrawide lens remains unchanged from the previous iteration.
Samsung opted for continuity in battery capacity, maintaining the 5,000 mAh battery found in recent Ultra models. However, this year comes with an upgrade in charging speed. The S26 Ultra surpasses the 45W charging limit and now supports 60W wired charging speeds, although users must provide their own charger. This capability allows for a 0-75% charge in just 30 minutes.
Additions include up to 25W wireless charging with compatible Qi 2.2 chargers and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
Like its S26 counterparts, the S26 Ultra runs on One UI 8.5 based on Android 16 and includes numerous Galaxy AI features.
Samsung's Photo Assist suite enables quick editing and enhancements with Galaxy AI directly in the native Gallery app. Additionally, Galaxy AI organizes screenshots by category. Creative Studio allows users to craft custom stickers, greeting cards, and wallpapers from photos or sketches.
With support now for third-party apps including YouTube, Netflix, and Instagram, the Audio Eraser feature excels at minimizing background noise to enhance voice clarity during media playback.
The Call Screening function filters incoming calls, tackling spam by answering calls to identify the caller, providing an on-screen transcription in the process.
The Now Nudge feature can dispense contextual information based on phone use, such as suggesting relevant photos during messaging or reminding users about calendar events for easier planning. The Now Brief feature uses information from notifications, messages, and emails to present contextual details and shortcuts right on your home screen.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will launch in Black, Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, and White, along with two online-exclusive colors – Silver and Pink Gold, available exclusively via Samsung.com.
The starting price for the 12/256GB variant is set at €1,450. The 12/512GB model will retail for €1,650, while the premier 16GB/1TB edition will be priced at €1,950. Pre-orders commence today, with official sales scheduled to begin on March 11.
