Samsung S26 Ultra/S26/S26 Plus

[Sensamic]

It's so disappointing that, once again, the regular S26 and S26+ don't get much improvements...

No antireflective filter, no privacy screen, no big improvements in cameras (4K 120fps? 50Mpx on all cameras?) or battery (SiC), etc.

All the glory to the Ultra, but not everyone wants a 6.9 inch screen phone that's over 200gr.

Wish there was more again in the compact flagship segment.

 

[scott craft]

It's so disappointing that, once again, the regular S26 and S26+ don't get much improvements...

No antireflective filter, no privacy screen, no big improvements in cameras (4K 120fps? 50Mpx on all cameras?) or battery (SiC), etc.

All the glory to the Ultra, but not everyone wants a 6.9 inch screen phone that's over 200gr.

Wish there was more again in the compact flagship segment.

That's why I ended up getting a Pixel. I wanted high end cameras and display in a smaller form factor and Samsung doesn't offer it.

 

[Sensamic]

That's why I ended up getting a Pixel. I wanted high end cameras and display in a smaller form factor and Samsung doesn't offer it.

Yeah, but Google isn't very good with video recording quality, per many reviews I've seen. They don't even offer 4K 60fps with HDR, and the chip is way behind the competition, affecting battery life. At least, that's what many reviews say.

The best part of Samsung is just OneUI.

 

[scott craft]

Yeah, but Google isn't very good with video recording quality, per many reviews I've seen. They don't even offer 4K 60fps with HDR, and the chip is way behind the competition, affecting battery life. At least, that's what many reviews say.

The best part of Samsung is just OneUI.

The S25 Ultra is better with video as is the iPhone but I don't record much.
On paper the chip isn't as powerful but the phone is fast and smooth. Video editing is a weak point and I don't think it games as well as the others.

 

[Bkdodger]

Yeah, but Google isn't very good with video recording quality, per many reviews I've seen. They don't even offer 4K 60fps with HDR, and the chip is way behind the competition, affecting battery life. At least, that's what many reviews say.

The best part of Samsung is just OneUI.

It's available

 

[super chimp]

It's so disappointing that, once again, the regular S26 and S26+ don't get much improvements...

No antireflective filter, no privacy screen, no big improvements in cameras (4K 120fps? 50Mpx on all cameras?) or battery (SiC), etc.

All the glory to the Ultra, but not everyone wants a 6.9 inch screen phone that's over 200gr.

Wish there was more again in the compact flagship segment.

Seems like they’d rather hold the price down than upgrade the phone, but it’s not clear they’ll even manage that this year so you’re probably getting the worst of both worlds.

 

[Sensamic]

Seems like they’d rather hold the price down than upgrade the phone, but it’s not clear they’ll even manage that this year so you’re probably getting the worst of both worlds.

Yeah, rumors say that even pre-order bonuses will be worst, so terrible overall. Maybe Samsung will surprise us, who knows, but seems highly unlikely at this point.

 

[hockeyfan81]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019276685213073845

 

[tbayrgs]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019276685213073845

That’s kind of ridiculous at this point. I somewhat understand not putting it your ultrathin foldable devices because of limited space but there’s plenty of room in the regular Galaxy S26 models. If Google can shove it in all of their Pixels, Samsung surely can do the same.

 

[Harthag]

That’s kind of ridiculous at this point. I somewhat understand not putting it your ultrathin foldable devices because of limited space but there’s plenty of room in the regular Galaxy S26 models. If Google can shove it in all of their Pixels, Samsung surely can do the same.

This is very disappointing. They really should revive the Note line. Bring back proper Bluetooth S-Pen support but no magnets as it interferes with the Pen. Get rid of the S Plus line. Make the S Ultra without S-Pen and with magnets. I wonder which device will sell better...

 

[jamezr]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019276685213073845

It's not a deal breaker for me.....I don't have any mag safe accessories. My 17 PM is my daily driver and I switch between it and my S25U. I have never thought to have mag safe on any of my Android phones.

 

[Dave245]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019276685213073845

Not really a deal breaker for me, I'm looking at camera upgrades and what they do overall. I did see a post on social media that hints at the zoom upgrade, maybe an upgrade to the 100x quality?

 

[The Game 161]

Not really a deal breaker for me, I'm looking at camera upgrades and what they do overall. I did see a post on social media that hints at the zoom upgrade, maybe an upgrade to the 100x quality?

View attachment 2602405

Likely just al like on honor

Regarding no magnets it’s basically down to S pen and reverse wireless charging not able to work if it had built in magnets

 

[hockeyfan81]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021358548530171906

 

[hockeyfan81]

Seems it's only going to be up to $900 off with a trade-in this year.

 

[Sensamic]

The latest leaked specs for the base S26 and S26+ are really a letdown: they're not thinner nor lighter, same cameras again? (just software improvements?), same wired charging speeds, etc.

The new stuff is just the chip, the antireflective filter on all models, and slightly bigger screen and battery on the base S26. The S26+ is just really the same phone from the last two years.

Samsung knows they can get away with it in most markets, but competition is getting really tough with Oppo, Xiaomi and Vivo lately (even OnePlus or maybe Pixel, but those aren't available in most markets).

Can't even bring the iPhone 17 to the conversation. Apple has more improvements per year than Samsung lately also.

 

[super chimp]

The latest leaked specs for the base S26 and S26+ are really a letdown: they're not thinner nor lighter, same cameras again? (just software improvements?), same wired charging speeds, etc.

The new stuff is just the chip, the antireflective filter on all models, and slightly bigger screen and battery on the base S26. The S26+ is just really the same phone from the last two years.

Samsung knows they can get away with it in most markets, but competition is getting really tough with Oppo, Xiaomi and Vivo lately (even OnePlus or maybe Pixel, but those aren't available in most markets).

Can't even bring the iPhone 17 to the conversation. Apple has more improvements per year than Samsung lately also.

The anti reflective filter is meant to be still an ultra exclusive.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: what to expect

Here are all the leaks and rumors surrounding the S26 Ultra flagship in one place. Samsung officially confirmed the February 25 launch date for the Galaxy...

m.gsmarena.com

 

[Sensamic]

The anti reflective filter is meant to be still an ultra exclusive.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: what to expect

Here are all the leaks and rumors surrounding the S26 Ultra flagship in one place. Samsung officially confirmed the February 25 launch date for the Galaxy...

m.gsmarena.com

I read that here:

Best Galaxy S25 Ultra display feature could be on all Galaxy S26 models

All three Galaxy S26 models may get Samsung’s anti-reflective display upgrade, finally ending the Ultra-only advantage.

www.sammobile.com

But probably too good to be true. Without that, S26 and S26+ are just the S25/S25+ with new CPU.

 

[Ludatyk]

I read that here:

Best Galaxy S25 Ultra display feature could be on all Galaxy S26 models

All three Galaxy S26 models may get Samsung’s anti-reflective display upgrade, finally ending the Ultra-only advantage.

www.sammobile.com

But probably too good to be true. Without that, S26 and S26+ are just the S25/S25+ with new CPU.

Yeah, if I'm interested in a mid-size phone... I'll chose a Pixel Pro phone over any of the S or S+ models.

 

[Sensamic]

Yeah, if I'm interested in a mid-size phone... I'll chose a Pixel Pro phone over any of the S or S+ models.

Why so?

I also like Pixel, but the poor CPU, battery life not being optimized, being heavier and thicker and worst video recording quality keep me away. Also, OneUI is really the best Android skin right now, I'd say even better than stock Android, plus Galaxy AI is really good.

 

[edubfromktown]

Why so?

I also like Pixel, but the poor CPU, battery life not being optimized, being heavier and thicker and worst video recording quality keep me away. Also, OneUI is really the best Android skin right now, I'd say even better than stock Android, plus Galaxy AI is really good.

Agree. Never found Pixel performance to be near the same level. Then there is lackluster cellular & wifi signal strength, throughput and performance along with less impressive battery performance, no 8k video and overall cheaper components & build.

One thing that improved photo results immensely for me on S25U was disabling auto lens switching in Samsung's Camera Assistant app. By default, the camera will use a main lens and crop for a lower overall quality shot rather than the smaller 10MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) lens.

I've stayed away from Galaxy AI because they wanted to charge for a subscription. It appears that is no longer the case to some extent (for for core Galaxy AI) so I'll have to check it out.

 

[MarkX]

Why so?

I also like Pixel, but the poor CPU, battery life not being optimized, being heavier and thicker and worst video recording quality keep me away. Also, OneUI is really the best Android skin right now, I'd say even better than stock Android, plus Galaxy AI is really good.

I'm kinda fed up of the rhetoric regarding the chip, not once since I got my Pixel 10 Pro have I noticed not having the "best" snapdragon chip.

It handles day to day use just as easily and quickly as my OP15. For the vast majority of users the Tensor 5 is more than enough and capable too.

 

[Ludatyk]

Why so?

I also like Pixel, but the poor CPU, battery life not being optimized, being heavier and thicker and worst video recording quality keep me away. Also, OneUI is really the best Android skin right now, I'd say even better than stock Android, plus Galaxy AI is really good.

Primarily, because of it's size. And it's not as if I'm a gamer or anything... I don't see how the CPU performance will prevent me from opening up apps.

I daily a Galaxy Fold (6)... so I don't really mind it being heavy or thick, as long as it's not a brick I'm carrying... don't see that as a huge issue for me. And I agree with you One UI is the best Android skin right now, but there are folks that prefer stock Android.

 

[Sensamic]

I'm kinda fed up of the rhetoric regarding the chip, not once since I got my Pixel 10 Pro have I noticed not having the "best" snapdragon chip.

It handles day to day use just as easily and quickly as my OP15. For the vast majority of users the Tensor 5 is more than enough and capable too.

Yeah, but futureproofing is also important. Maybe in 2/3 years the chip might not be able to handle future OS updates, while other phones with better chips could still be as fast as new. At least, that's a concern for those who keep their phones for years.

 

[scott craft]

Yeah, but futureproofing is also important. Maybe in 2/3 years the chip might not be able to handle future OS updates, while other phones with better chips could still be as fast as new. At least, that's a concern for those who keep their phones for years.

If the S25 had the same cameras as the Ultra I would have gotten it, but Samsung doesn't appear interested in making a smaller sized premium phone so I got a Pixel and I'm pleased with my choice.