Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Exact average 85.8 · 13 printed, 7 estimated · printed scores only: 88
Image: Samsung20 professional reviewers tested the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and 18 recommend it. Most praised: picture quality and performance. Most common complaint: price.
Reviewed by What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar, CNET and 17 more
The catch: Very expensive, and the AI features are hit-and-miss.
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What 20 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 95What Hi-Fi?
An AV-focused test finding a cinematic, sharp display and improved upscaling.
Read What Hi-Fi? review - 95TechRadar
Praised as the best Android phone around, with fast performance and very capable Galaxy AI tools.
Read TechRadar review - 93CNET
Scored 9.3 and given an Editors' Choice award, praised for the privacy screen, long battery life, fastest wired charging and consistently good cameras.
Read CNET review - 90Digital Trends
After four months as a daily phone, the reviewer calls it the most complete Android handset and the one to beat for power users.
Read Digital Trends review - 90The Independent
The reviewer considers the S26 Ultra Samsung's finest phone so far and the top Android handset available, praising its new privacy screen, refined cameras and fast chip despite a modest price rise.
Read The Independent review - 90ZDNET
A well-rounded flagship with the best phone screen around and excellent software support.
Read ZDNET review - 90Tech Advisor
Hardware changes are small, but the novel Privacy Display, quicker charging, strong video and polished software make it a delight to live with and one of the best Android phones.
Read Tech Advisor review - 90Tom's Guide
A smart, sleek and fast flagship with an innovative Privacy Display, better charging and improved low-light shots.
Read Tom's Guide review - 90Engadget
Subtle upgrades across the board plus a standout Privacy Display make this the top all-round phone.
Read Engadget review - 80WIRED
An excellent flagship whose built-in Privacy Display is the standout, with strong performance, battery and cameras.
Read WIRED review - 80Expert Reviews
A refined, very fast flagship with a brilliant Privacy Display and strong cameras.
Read Expert Reviews review - 80PCMag Australia
Rated Excellent and named an Editors' Choice for flagship Android, praised for cameras, performance and the privacy screen.
Read PCMag Australia review - 80The Verge
The Ultra finally earns its name with a genuinely useful Privacy Display and real camera upgrades.
Read The Verge review - 89est.Good Housekeeping
A tester who normally uses iPhone came away impressed by the privacy screen, cameras, photo editing and AI tools, calling it a fantastic device.
Read Good Housekeeping review - 89est.The Guardian
Calls it the most capable slab phone around and the best Android to buy, with the built-in privacy screen as the headline feature.
Read The Guardian review - 89est.CNN Underscored
Called one of the best phones he has tested in a while, led by a well-executed privacy mode, better low-light cameras and strong battery and speed.
Read CNN Underscored review - 85est.Business Insider
An excellent all-rounder that is near the top in nearly every category and still the phone to beat if you want everything.
Read Business Insider review - 83est.Trusted Reviews
A polished all-rounder with a standout screen, new privacy display and strong performance, but a safe upgrade.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 71est.Android Central
After three weeks of use, a good phone but a stale one: the Privacy Display is great, yet cameras and battery lag Chinese rivals.
Read Android Central review - 66est.How-To Geek
A first-person account from a reviewer who bought and used it, then returned it for a smaller phone.
Read How-To Geek review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
How it compares
Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.
vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro90
- CNET picks the Apple iPhone 17 Pro. Still choose this one if: you want punchy, shareable shots straight out of the camera with vivid color.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
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Common questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra worth it?
Most critics think so: 18 of 20 recommend it. Very expensive, and the AI features are hit-and-miss.
Do critics agree about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Broad agreement: scores range from 66 (How-To Geek) to 95 (What Hi-Fi?), a spread of 29 points across 20 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Price (10 of 20 reviews), Battery life (7 of 20 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Oppo Find X9 Ultra (critic score 94), best overall.