Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Review: There's a Catch

Quick Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review reveals that while the phone offers excellent features like AI editing and better battery life than its predecessor, the $1,300 starting price, the continued use of an 8-bit color display simulation, and the lack of MagSafe-like magnetic accessories are significant trade-offs compared to competitors.

Key Points: The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,300, which is noted as very pricey. The device continues to use an 8-bit color display simulating 10-bit color when viewing content, unlike some competitors offering native 10-bit displays. The new 200MP main camera features a slightly larger aperture and similar hardware to the previous generation, but video stabilization (Horizon Lock) is executed very well. Battery life is slightly better than the S25 Ultra, achieving 12 hours 00 minutes in a battery drain test, placing it second behind the OnePlus 15 (12h 55m). New AI features like Audio Eraser and generative photo editing are present, though the latter failed in one specific test case shown. The phone lacks magnetic accessories like MagSafe, which is considered a missed opportunity for Samsung.

Context: This video provides a review of the rumored or conceptual Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, comparing it against the previous S25 Ultra and other anticipated flagships like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and OnePlus 15. The reviewer focuses heavily on display technology trade-offs, camera hardware, battery performance metrics, and new software features like advanced AI editing tools, all while assessing the device's high price point.

Detailed Analysis

The reviewer begins by mentioning initial positive impressions based on footage, noting that not everything is new, but highlighting some interesting trade-offs. The display, despite being a 6.9-inch QHD+ 120Hz AMOLED panel, still simulates 8-bit color depth instead of offering native 10-bit color, a point of critique for pixel peepers. A key privacy feature, the 'Privacy display,' allows users to selectively dim portions of the screen or black out notifications based on viewing angle, which is demonstrated using a microscope setup to show pixels turning off. The reviewer also notes that the 200MP main camera hardware is largely unchanged from the previous year, though the aperture is slightly larger, and the 5x telephoto is similar, while the 10x zoom is worse than the S25 Ultra. Battery life saw an improvement, lasting 12 hours 00 minutes in a drain test, beating the S25 Ultra (10h 43m) but falling behind the OnePlus 15 (12h 55m). New AI features like Audio Eraser and generative photo editing are present, although the latter reportedly failed a specific request. Design changes are subtle, making the phone slightly thinner and rounder at the corners, but it still rocks the camera bump design. The reviewer concludes that despite having great features like Horizon Lock stabilization and advanced AI, the $1,300 starting price and the continued display limitations make it a device where users must weigh significant trade-offs, noting the lack of magnetic accessory support as another drawback.