Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Review: Camera, AI, and Privacy Display Put to the Test

Samsung's latest flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, has undergone a rigorous month-long test by CNA Lifestyle, putting its much-vaunted features through their paces in everyday scenarios. The Ultra line has long been Samsung's pinnacle of Android smartphones, but with competitors constantly raising the bar, the crucial question remains: can the S26 Ultra maintain its 'Ultra' status, or is it time for a rethink?

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The Ultra line in Samsung’s Galaxy S series has long stood at the apex of Android smartphones. In recent years, however, rival manufacturers have raised the bar with innovations like high-capacity silicon-carbon batteries and increasingly sophisticated camera systems. Against this paradigm shift, can the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra still hold its crown? Or is it time for the South Korean giant to go back to the drawing board and rethink what “Ultra” really means?

On paper, the S26 Ultra presents itself as an incremental upgrade. Subtle changes in dimensions and weight are noted, but the camera system remains largely familiar, boasting the same megapixel counts as its predecessor. Theoretical improvements in aperture size hint at brighter images, but the true test lies beyond specifications. The device is powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, promising significant boosts in CPU, NPU, and GPU performance, which Samsung claims will enhance the user experience.

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It’s taller (163.6 mm vs 162.8 mm), wider (78.1 mm vs 77.6 mm), thinner (7.9 mm vs 8.2 mm) and lighter (214g vs 218g).

Samsung's aggressive push into AI is evident, with the S26 Ultra integrating features like Photo Assist, allowing image edits through text commands, and AI-assisted call screening to filter unwanted callers. Perhaps the most intriguing addition is the 'Privacy Display,' a built-in feature designed to obscure the screen from side-viewers when activated. The review confirms that this Privacy Display performs its intended function effectively, a welcome reassurance for users concerned about on-the-go privacy.

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The upgrades you get here are the slightly wider apertures on the main 200MP camera and 50MP telephoto camera – f/1.4 and f/2.9, respectively – which theoretically should result in brighter images.

From a South Korean perspective, the Galaxy S series represents a national technological pride. While the S26 Ultra might not be a revolutionary leap, its focus on refining existing strengths and integrating cutting-edge AI and privacy features reflects Samsung's strategy to stay ahead in a fiercely competitive global market. The real-world testing by CNA Lifestyle provides valuable insights beyond the spec sheet, addressing whether these advancements translate into a superior user experience that justifies its flagship status, especially when compared to innovations from rival manufacturers.

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At 5,000 mAh, the S26 Ultra sports the same battery capacity as the S25 Ultra. However, it is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, which Samsung claims delivers up to a 19 per cent increase in CPU performance, a 39 per cent improvement in NPU performance and a 24 per cent boost in GPU performance compared to last year’s model.