Samsung's s26 ultra: a missed opportunity or just not enough?
Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra landed with considerable fanfare last month, promising a leap forward in mobile Technology. Initial reports suggested a blockbuster debut, with sales exceeding expectations, particularly in the US. Yet, a closer look reveals a growing chorus of disappointment, and I'm reluctantly joining their ranks.
The titanium frame that wasn't
Let's start with the most glaring omission: the titanium frame. Samsung, in a move that feels decidedly cost-cutting, opted for aluminum instead. While aluminum offers benefits like reduced weight and improved heat dissipation, it simply doesn't convey the same premium feel as titanium, especially on a device costing upwards of $1,300. It's a decision that feels out of step with the Ultra line's established image – a jarring downgrade rather than a refinement. The price of RAM may be rising, but surely Samsung could have prioritized the user experience here.
The shift raises questions. Are we seeing Samsung prioritizing margins over materials, sacrificing the tactile luxury expected from a flagship device?
The s pen's silent treatment
Another significant letdown is the continued absence of Bluetooth support for the S Pen. After considerable backlash last year, many hoped Samsung would reinstate this valuable feature. Instead, the company maintains its position that only a small fraction of users actually utilize it. But that’s a convenient excuse for neglecting a feature that enhances productivity and creativity for a dedicated subset of users. It's a frustrating oversight for those who embraced the S Pen's versatility.
A diminishing return on upgrades
The camera improvements, while present, feel incremental at best. The 5x telephoto lens receives a welcome aperture upgrade from f/3.4 to f/2.9, and the main sensor moves from f/1.7 to f/1.4 allowing more light in. These tweaks are beneficial, but hardly revolutionary. I was genuinely hoping for an overhaul of the 3x telephoto lens – a chance missed to truly elevate the camera system.
And then there's the battery. Despite competitors like OnePlus and Xiaomi consistently offering larger capacities in their flagships, Samsung stubbornly clings to the same 5000 mAh cell it has used for years. Paired with the lack of MagSafe support, it's a puzzling choice that leaves the S26 Ultra feeling underpowered in an increasingly demanding mobile landscape.
A few bright spots amidst the disappointment
It’s not all doom and gloom, however. Samsung deserves credit for the innovative privacy display, which cleverly obscures the screen from off-angle viewing. The wired charging speed has also seen a boost from 45W to 60W, and the addition of a 24MP mode for high-resolution images is a nice touch. The new APV codec for videography and the software enhancements, particularly the horizontal lock feature and AI-powered image merging, are genuinely useful additions.
The audio eraser tool, capable of removing background noise from videos, is a particularly clever piece of software, showcasing Samsung’s commitment to innovation. And the Now Nudge feature, which anticipates your needs based on screen content, has the potential to be incredibly useful.
Should you upgrade?
Ultimately, the Galaxy S26 Ultra feels like a missed opportunity. While it’s undoubtedly a capable device, it falls short of the expectations set by its predecessors. If you’re rocking a Galaxy S25 Ultra, upgrading this year feels unnecessary. Waiting for the S27 Ultra, rumored to bring substantial improvements, might be a wiser choice. However, those with older S25 or S24 models could find the S26 Ultra a worthwhile upgrade, offering a noticeable step up in performance and features. The S26 Ultra isn't bad, but for a device positioned at the pinnacle of Samsung’s offerings, it should have been significantly more compelling – a statement of technological advancement, not a subtle refinement.