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Samsung S26 Ultra review: A month later, here are the features that actually matter
From privacy display to AI tools, here’s what stood out and what didn’t in Samsung's latest premium offering, after a month of daily use
- PUBLISHED: Thu 2 Apr 2026, 7:00 AM
I first got my hands on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra about two weeks before launch at a preview event. Back then, it was all about the headline features — the new privacy display and that oddly satisfying horizontal camera lock. Cool, impressive… but also the kind of features you assume might fade into the background once real life kicks in.
A month later, I’m surprised to say this: the S26 Ultra didn’t fade. Instead, as cliché as it sounds, it grew on me. It got me thinking, “Wait… should I actually switch?”
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I was at this exact standpoint when the Fold 7 came out last year, but I am really not into foldable devices.
For context, I’ve been on iPhone since 2020 after moving from OnePlus. So jumping onto the S26 Ultra wasn’t completely alien, but it did take a minute to recalibrate muscle memory.
Right now, my daily driver is the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I’ll admit that I expected to keep reaching back for it. But that didn’t really happen. So let's breakdown all the necessary points that you'd want to look at if you consider purchasing the Samsung Ultra 26.
Design and handling
The first thing that stood out was obviously the comfort. The S26 Ultra is lighter than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and that makes a noticeable difference in daily use. Whether it’s doomscrolling or just holding the phone while walking, it’s easier on the hand than I expected. Grip is solid, and yes, you can use it without a case. But here’s the thing: I wouldn’t recommend it.
The camera bump creates a bit of imbalance when the phone is placed screen-up on a surface. It’s one of those tiny annoyances that doesn’t show up in spec sheets but becomes very real over time. Phrases like "My OCD could never..." tend to get real in these situations.
With a case, though? Problem solved.
Display
Let’s talk about the display. The 6.9-inch display is everything you’d expect from a flagship: smooth, fast, and not too big (not for me).
But the real headline feature here is the privacy display, and honestly, it’s one of the smartest additions I’ve seen in a while. You don’t need a separate privacy screen protector anymore (thankfully). You can turn it on only when you want, apply it to specific apps (banking, messages, etc.), and even limit it to just notification pop-ups.
It’s genuinely useful in everyday scenarios. But there’s a trade-off.
The technology slightly dims the display and affects overall clarity compared to the previous generation. It’s not dramatic, and a lot of people probably won’t even notice, but if you’re picky about display quality, it’s there.
Performance
This is where the S26 Ultra does its job so well. Gaming, multitasking, editing, jumping between apps; everything feels smooth, even if you're on the phone more than the average user.
Battery life
Samsung’s been sticking to a 5,000mAh battery in its Ultra lineup since the Galaxy S20 Ultra, and that continues here. But thanks to efficiency improvements, it performs slightly better than you’d expect.
For me, it was easily a one-charge-a-day phone, same as my iPhone 17 Pro Max. But it often stretches into the next day with moderate use. And, charging speeds are solid for this category. Nothing revolutionary here, but it's dependable.
Cameras
Let me be completely honest here. The S26 Ultra has good cameras. Really good, actually.
You’ve got a 200MP main sensor, dual telephoto lenses (3x and 5x, stretching to 10x), and excellent zoom capabilities. All of that brings out sharp, vibrant, and AI-enhanced images. And yet… I keep going back to the iPhone.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max still feels more reliable in certain situations, especially in low light. It delivers better colour consistency, more natural tones, and, without a doubt, a stronger video performance.
That said, Samsung does have one standout trick — the horizontal camera lock.
It lets you rotate your phone (even a full 360°), while keeping the final video frame stable and consistent. It works well… but realistically, it’s not something you’ll use every day.
AI features
This is where Samsung is clearly pulling ahead.
Compared to Apple, the AI experience here feels far more developed and integrated. And they’re not slowing down; every year, it just keeps expanding.
But here’s the honest take:
Some AI features — especially photo editing tools — feel gimmicky. They’re fun for a bit, then you forget they exist. The first week, I went all-out on prompting the AI editing tool. Most worked, some even impeccably, and some didn't.
However, that’s only part of the story.
There are genuinely useful AI tools here that improve the day-to-day experience in subtle ways. And that’s the real value. In fact, this is one of the biggest reasons I’d even consider making the switch full-time.
S Pen
Coming from an iPhone, the S Pen felt new and interesting at first.
And then… I forgot it existed. It’s not that it’s bad; it’s just not something I naturally reach for. If you’re someone who already uses a stylus, you’ll probably love it. If not, it’s more of a “nice to have.”
Also worth noting: the redesigned mechanism means you have to insert it back the same way it came out.
So… should you switch?
This is the big question.
If you’re planning to move from iPhone to Samsung, the S26 Ultra is easily one of the best entry points. It has everything, and then some.
Performance? Solid.
Battery? Reliable.
AI? Ahead of the curve.
Display? Innovative.
And ecosystem? Samsung’s holding its own now. Features like Quick Share, now playing nicer with cross-platform sharing, make the transition less intimidating than it used to be.
This is a phone that makes a very strong case for itself, especially if you’ve been sitting on the fence about switching.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, along with other variants from the series, features a unified design language with colour options including Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue, alongside its website-exclusive Pink Gold and Silver Shadow. Pricing starts at Dh5,099, and can go up to Dh7,099 for the top-tier 16GB RAM + 1TB storage configuration, making it the most premium option in the series.
