What Hi-Fi?100
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a refined, high-performing device that excels as a portable cinema screen thanks to improved picture processing and contrast.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
15 expert reviewsChecked 1 Nov 2026
Quick answer
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a critic score of 84 out of 100 from 15 professional reviews, and 13 of them recommend it. Critics praise its performance and picture quality. The most common complaint is price.
Reviews checked 1 Nov 2026
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Our verdict
15 professional reviewers tested the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and 13 recommend it. Critics praise its performance and picture quality. The most common complaint: price.
The catch: Very expensive, and the AI features are hit-and-miss.
Critic agreement: Low
Scores run from 50 to 100
8 of these 15 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text and corrected for the known tendency of estimates to run high.
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What do critics say about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
CNET93
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a refined powerhouse that excels with its innovative privacy display, exceptional battery life, and reliable camera performance, earning it an Editors' Choice award.
ZDNET90
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a highly capable and well-rounded flagship that excels in display quality and performance, though it lacks significant upgrades over its predecessor and features inconsistent AI tools.
Engadget90
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a refined, high-performing flagship that offers subtle but meaningful improvements in camera performance, processing speed, and a unique privacy-focused display.
Digital Trends90
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a highly capable, well-rounded flagship that excels in performance, display quality, and stylus utility, though it is held back by stagnant battery capacity and a high price tag.
GSMArena85est.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a highly capable flagship that offers a superior camera system, faster charging, and exclusive features like the S Pen, though the S26 Plus provides a very similar core experience for less money.
Which?85est.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a highly capable flagship device that excels in performance, display quality, and camera versatility, making it a strong recommendation for power users.
The Guardian85est.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a highly capable, feature-packed flagship that excels in performance, battery life, and camera versatility, with a unique privacy display as a standout addition.
Good Housekeeping85est.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a highly capable flagship that impresses with its versatile camera system, powerful AI integration, and unique privacy display features.
Business Insider85est.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a highly capable, well-rounded flagship that excels in performance and camera quality, though it is held back by a high price, uninspired design, and mediocre battery capacity.
CNN Underscored85est.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a highly recommended flagship that justifies its price through genuine hardware innovation, specifically its excellent privacy display and improved camera stability.
Expert Reviews80
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a highly refined and powerful flagship that excels in performance, display quality, and camera versatility.
PCMag Australia80
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a highly capable flagship that excels in photography and performance, though it is held back by average battery life and a privacy screen that compromises viewing angles.
Android Central74est.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a capable device with excellent software and useful AI features, but it feels stale due to iterative hardware, lackluster camera upgrades, and battery life that lags behind global competitors.
How-To Geek50est.
The reviewer found the device too large and uncomfortable to use, criticized the unstable camera bump design, and felt the new privacy display negatively impacted screen quality.
Scores are converted to 0–100. "est." means the outlet gave no number, so we estimated one from its verdict. How we score
What critics praise most
Performance12 of 15
Picture quality10 of 15
Battery life5 of 15
What critics dislike most
Price9 of 15
Battery life5 of 15
Missing features4 of 15
Common questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra worth it?
Most critics think so: 13 of 15 recommend it. Very expensive, and the AI features are hit-and-miss.
What do critics dislike about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Price (9 of 15 reviews), Battery life (5 of 15 reviews), Missing features (4 of 15 reviews).