Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra hands-on: Meaningful tweaks plus a slick new Privacy Display

Engadget

by Sam Rutherford

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a refined package that balances hardware upgrades with meaningful improvements over its predecessor. Priced at $1,300—a flat rate from last year—the phone boasts a sleeker design, faster charging, and standout features like the Privacy Display, which blocks screen visibility from acute angles without compromising image quality. While it doesn’t bring groundbreaking AI innovation, it excels in areas where its predecessor fell short, making it a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts seeking a premium device. The S26 Ultra’s exterior design sees subtle yet notable changes, including an Armor Aluminum chassis and rounded corners that give it a slightly more modern look compared to previous models. The phone is the thinnest and lightest Ultra to date, though the differences in size and weight are minimal compared to last year’s model. Its vibrant color options, like cobalt violet, add a touch of style, while the aluminum frame helps it blend better with Samsung’s mid-range lineup. One of the standout features is the Privacy Display, which enhances security by blocking screen visibility from certain angles. This tech, inspired by HP’s Sure View, offers customizable triggers—such as notifications or password prompts—and minimal impact on display quality. The 6.9-inch AMOLED screen retains its impressive specs, including a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 2,600 nits, ensuring no compromise in visual performance. Under the hood, the S26 Ultra packs a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, paired with up to 1TB storage and 16GB RAM. Performance improvements are notable, with the NPU, CPU, and GPU seeing significant boosts—39%, 19%, and 24% respectively. Charging has also been upgraded, offering faster wired (up to 60W) and wireless (25W) speeds, though a magnetic ring for accessories remains absent. For those prioritizing photography and video capabilities, the S26 Ultra delivers with improved apertures on its main and telephoto lenses, potentially

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Originally published on Engadget on 2/25/2026