In case you missed it, Samsung has officially launched its latest Galaxy S26 Series, and we got to try the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra during a media preview last February 19, 2026.
Honestly, I’m not a fan of very thick smartphones. When I tried the Galaxy S25 Ultra last year, I was a bit disappointed because it felt too bulky for me. That’s why I immediately noticed the difference with the new Galaxy S26 Ultra.
This new flagship measures just 7.9mm thin and weighs 214g. The slimmer and lighter build is immediately noticeable once you hold it. It feels more comfortable and easier to handle than its predecessor, likely because of its slightly curved edges.
Sadly, Samsung downgraded the frame to aluminum instead of the more durable titanium used before. Still, I like the new rear design, which looks similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 because of its camera island layout.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is available in six colorways: Cobalt Violet, Black, Sky Blue, White, and two online exclusives — Pink Gold and Silver Shadow. It also comes with an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, so you’re protected in case of accidental splashes or brief submersion in water.
For the display, it still features a large 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel with QHD+ resolution, a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, HDR10+, Vision Booster, and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 protection.
One of its new standout features is called Privacy Display. When viewed from the side or at an angle, the screen appears black, similar to using a privacy film. The difference is that this is built-in, so it maintains display quality without affecting clarity or brightness.
Under the hood, the Galaxy S26 Ultra now runs on a 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy octa-core chipset with an Adreno 840 GPU. It is paired with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage.
With this hardware upgrade, performance should be reliable whether you’re using it for productivity, gaming, or other intensive tasks.
After the launch, some fans expressed disappointment with the camera setup since there are no major hardware upgrades.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra still features a 200MP main camera with OIS, a 10MP 3x telephoto lens, a 50MP telephoto lens, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP selfie camera.
Despite that, the cameras remain capable and can deliver excellent image quality, especially in low-light situations.
One of the viral features is the horizontal lock option, which provides impressive video stability. We weren’t able to test that feature during our hands-on session, but several tech reviewers have already shared clips demonstrating how effective it is.
It also introduces enhanced Nightography video, which helps produce clearer and more vibrant footage even in dim environments.
As for the battery, it still packs a 5,000mAh capacity. I honestly hoped Samsung would increase it this year. However, charging has improved, as it now supports 60W wired charging and 25W wireless charging.
Initial Thoughts
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra brings meaningful refinements and useful features that help you get things done more efficiently and securely. Its slimmer design is easily one of its biggest highlights.
That said, if you’re currently using the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I wouldn’t strongly recommend upgrading unless budget isn’t an issue. Since this is only a hands-on experience, we haven’t fully tested it as a daily driver yet. Pricing has also increased, so it’s something to consider before making the jump.
Price and Availability
- 12GB/256GB – PHP 86,990
- 12GB/512GB – PHP 100,990
- 16GB/1TB – 121,990
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is now available for pre-order at all authorized Samsung resellers, starting at PHP 86,990. You can also pre-order through Smart Postpaid to get double storage and other exclusive benefits.
