I recently got my review unit of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and before that I had brief hands-on time with all three S26 devices at Samsung’s Galaxy Impact event in Delhi. I spent most of my time with the Ultra because, honestly, that’s where most of the meaningful upgrades are concentrated this year.
These are not final conclusions. This is just my early, raw impression after setting up the device and spending some initial time with it.
Pricing: The First Shock
Let’s address the elephant in the room first.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra now starts at around ₹1,40,000, which is roughly a ₹10,000 jump compared to the previous Ultra generation. The S26 Plus has also seen a noticeable price increase, and personally I feel Samsung has pushed pricing a little too aggressively this year.
Yes, there are pre-order offers. In some cases, you get a free storage upgrade to 512GB, and certain bank discounts are available. But even after factoring that in, the base pricing feels steep.
Design Changes: Subtle But Noticeable
In terms of design, Samsung hasn’t done anything radical, but there are small refinements across the lineup. The camera layout has been slightly reworked and now matches the updated design language we’ve seen across the newer Galaxy devices.
Interestingly, the S26 Ultra is no longer using titanium. It has moved back to aluminum. That may disappoint some people on paper, but there’s a practical upside to it.
Technically, Samsung says the phone is only about 4 grams lighter than before. But when I picked it up, it genuinely felt significantly lighter in hand. That’s not just about weight numbers. That’s about weight balance.
The corners are slightly more rounded this time, making it more comfortable to hold for longer sessions. Compared to other big-screen flagships like the Pixel Pro XL or Vivo X300 Pro, the S26 Ultra feels better balanced in hand.
In-Hand Feel and Weight Balance
Even though the official spec sheet says the reduction is minimal, the distribution of weight feels improved. The phone doesn’t feel top-heavy or awkward.
For a large display flagship, Samsung has done an excellent job with ergonomics this time. If you use big phones regularly, this improvement is noticeable. This may not sound exciting on paper, but in daily usage, this matters a lot.
S Pen: Still There, But No Big Focus
The S Pen is still present, but Samsung barely highlighted it during the briefing. There’s no Bluetooth functionality again this year. It works fine. It docks properly. Nothing revolutionary here. It’s there if you use it. But it’s not a headline feature anymore.
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Cooling and Thermals
Samsung claims there is a larger vapor chamber this year. It’s too early to judge thermals properly. During the initial Android setup process, which usually warms up most phones, the S26 Ultra stayed relatively controlled. It did not heat excessively.
But real-world gaming and sustained usage testing will give a clearer picture. I’ll evaluate that in the full review after extended usage.
Charging: Finally an Upgrade
However, there’s still no charger in the box. To get full 60W speeds, you’ll need a compatible PPS charger. Many generic chargers may not support the full speed. Wireless charging has improved to 25W. That’s good progress.
But surprisingly, there are no built-in magnets for magnetic accessories. Even some Android phones now support magnet-based systems similar to MagSafe. Here, you’ll need a compatible case if you want that functionality.
Battery: No Capacity Increase
Battery capacity remains at 5000mAh.
It’s too early to comment on battery life, but capacity-wise, nothing has changed. Efficiency improvements will depend on the processor and software optimization. I’ll need at least a week of real-world usage to properly comment on endurance.
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Durability: Armor Glass 2
Samsung is using Corning Armor Glass 2 on both the front and back.
If my experience with previous Samsung devices is anything to go by, this should be durable. I’ve personally used devices with armored glass without a case, and they’ve survived multiple drops.
On paper and in past experience, durability looks promising.
Cameras: Same Megapixels, Better Light
The megapixel count remains similar to previous Ultra models. But the main camera now has a wider f/1.4 aperture, meaning it can capture more light. The telephoto lens also has improved light intake.
From the initial samples I saw, there is a noticeable improvement in low-light performance. Night shots appear cleaner with better exposure balance. I’ll compare it properly against other flagships like the Pixel Pro and Vivo X series in my detailed review.
The Big Highlight: Privacy Screen
This is a mix of hardware and software implementation. When enabled, the display becomes difficult to read from side angles. You can toggle it quickly, and even assign it to shortcuts like double-pressing the power button.
You can also customize it to hide notifications or sensitive content like passwords and PIN entries. The implementation feels polished and practical.
However, this feature is exclusive to the Ultra. You won’t get it on the regular S26 models. Whether this is a must-have depends on your usage. But technically, it’s well executed.
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Quick Spec Snapshot
| Feature | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | ~₹1,40,000 |
| Build Material | Aluminum Frame |
| Battery | 5000mAh |
| Wired Charging | 60W |
| Wireless Charging | 25W |
| Display Protection | Armor Glass 2 |
| S Pen | Yes (No Bluetooth) |
| Privacy Screen | Yes (Ultra Exclusive) |
Is It a Must-Have Upgrade?
If you’re using an S25 Ultra, S24 Ultra, or even S23 Ultra and you’re happy with it, this is more of an evolution than a revolution.
Design language remains similar. Battery capacity hasn’t increased. Charging has improved. Cameras have refined apertures. Privacy screen is new and interesting.
For older Ultra users, it might be worth considering. For recent Ultra owners, this is not a compulsory upgrade.
FAQs
Has the price increased significantly?
Yes, compared to the previous generation, there is roughly a ₹10,000 increase in starting price.
Is the battery bigger this year?
No, it remains at 5000mAh.
Does it support magnetic accessories?
No built-in magnets. You’ll need compatible cases.
Is the S Pen improved?
No major changes. No Bluetooth functionality.
What’s the biggest upgrade?
The privacy screen implementation and improved low-light camera performance stand out the most.
Final Thoughts (For Now)
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra feels like a polished refinement of what Samsung started with the S23 Ultra design language. The improved weight balance is genuinely noticeable. The privacy screen is impressive in execution. The charging bump is welcome.
I’ll be testing it thoroughly over the next 10 days before publishing the full review. Real-world battery life, sustained performance, and camera consistency will determine whether this justifies its premium pricing.
