Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Review: Battery, Camera, AI & New Privacy Display Explained

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Is It Still a True “Ultra” Smartphone in 2026?

Samsung is preparing to launch its next flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, at a late-February Galaxy Unpacked event. While expectations are high, many tech enthusiasts and regular buyers are asking an important question:

Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra still an “Ultra” smartphone, or is Samsung playing it too safe?

Galaxy S26 Ultra Launch Timeline

Why Timing Matters

Samsung’s decision to launch the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra in late February puts it directly against strong competitors like Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Vivo, which are already offering bigger upgrades.

Because of this delay, Samsung’s hardware choices are being compared more harshly—and in some areas, the S26 Ultra appears conservative rather than revolutionary.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Battery

Same Capacity for the 7th Time

5,000 mAh Battery – Again

The biggest concern for many users is the battery.

• Galaxy S20 Ultra → 5,000 mAh
• Galaxy S21 Ultra → 5,000 mAh
• Galaxy S22 Ultra → 5,000 mAh
• Galaxy S23 Ultra → 5,000 mAh
• Galaxy S24 Ultra → 5,000 mAh
• Galaxy S25 Ultra → 5,000 mAh
• Galaxy S26 Ultra → 5,000 mAh (confirmed via regulatory filings)

That makes seven Ultra models in a row with the same battery size.

Compared to Competitors

• Xiaomi 17 Ultra: 6,800 mAh (Silicon-Carbon battery)
• OnePlus 15: 7,300 mAh
• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 5,000 mAh (Lithium-based)

Silicon-carbon batteries allow more power in the same space, but Samsung has not adopted this technology yet.

Charging Speed

• Wired charging: 45W (some variants rumored at 60W)
• Wireless charging: 15W

Meanwhile, competitors offer:

• 100W wired charging
• 50W wireless charging

Real-Life Impact

The S26 Ultra will easily last one full working day, but users may end the day with 15% battery left, while rivals may still have 40–45% remaining. This creates range anxiety, especially for heavy users.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera

Standing Still While Others Move Forward

Camera Hardware Overview (Expected)

Main Camera:

• 200 MP ISOCELL sensor (same as Galaxy S25 Ultra)
• Slightly wider aperture (minor improvement)

Ultra-wide Camera:

• 50 MP (unchanged)

5x Telephoto Camera: 

50 MP (unchanged)

3x Telephoto Camera:

• Upgraded from 10 MP to 12 MP
• Same physical sensor size

What This Means

Samsung is reusing the same camera sensors for multiple generations. Image processing may improve, but hardware innovation is limited.

Competition Is Ahead

Xiaomi 17 Ultra

• Leica partnership
• Larger camera sensors
• Strong photography branding

Vivo X200 Pro

• Zeiss optics
• Floating periscope telephoto system

• Industry-leading zoom clarity

In simple terms, Samsung is refining, while competitors are experimenting and advancing faster.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Memory & Galaxy AI

A Future Concern

RAM and Storage Options (Leaked)

• Base variants: 12 GB RAM
• Top variant (1 TB storage): 16 GB RAM

Why RAM Matters More Than Storage

With Galaxy AI and on-device generative AI, smartphones need more RAM, not just storage.

• Modern flagships now commonly offer 16 GB RAM
• Some premium phones go up to 24 GB RAM

Long-Term Impact

• 12 GB RAM is fine for early 2026
• By late 2026–2027, it may become a bottleneck

AI tasks may:

• Run slower
• Increase latency
• Shift to cloud processing (less private, more data usage)

This could shorten the effective lifespan of the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Biggest Strengths

Despite criticisms, Samsung still excels in several key areas.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (For Samsung)

• Custom-tuned flagship chipset
• Expected to be the most powerful Android processor of its generation
• Excellent performance for gaming, AI, and multitasking

S-Pen Support: A True Differentiator

• Built-in stylus support

Ideal for:

• Notes
• Business users
• Designers
• Students
• No direct competitor offers this experience at the same level

New M14 OLED Display

• Brighter screen
• Lower power consumption
• Longer panel lifespan
• Excellent outdoor visibility

New Feature Confirmed

Privacy Display on One UI 8.5

One of the most exciting upgrades is now officially confirmed.

What Is Privacy Display?

Privacy Display makes your screen visible only to you.

People sitting beside you cannot see what’s on your screen, making it perfect for:

• Public transport
• Cafes
• Airports
• Offices

Privacy Display Modes

• Standard Privacy Mode

Maximum Privacy Protection

• Very narrow viewing angle
• Stronger screen masking

Smart Automation

• Can turn on automatically using Modes & Routines

Example:

• Activates when you leave home
• Turns off when you return
• Includes a Quick Settings toggle for instant access

This feature adds real-world value, especially for privacy-conscious users.

Final Verdict: Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra Still an Ultra Phone?

Yes, But with Conditions

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is:

• Powerful
• Polished
• Reliable
• Feature-rich

However, it is also:

• Conservative
• Incremental
• Less ambitious than competitors

Who Should Buy It?

• Samsung loyal users
• Business professionals
• S-Pen users
• Those who value display quality and software stability

Who Might Look Elsewhere?

• Battery-focused users
• Photography enthusiasts
• Power users wanting long-term AI performance headroom

In conclusion, the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains a premium flagship, but in 2026, being “Ultra” may require bigger risks and bolder upgrades—something Samsung seems hesitant to take this time.