Are you considering buying the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra? If so, this buyer’s guide is for you. But before we dive into its features, let’s ask ourselves a few questions: Who should buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and who should skip it?
**Should You Buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra?**
If you own an older model like the Galaxy S21 Ultra or anything older, the S26 Ultra is a solid upgrade. However, if you’re using a newer model like the S23 Ultra, S24 Ultra, or even the latest S25 Ultra, it’s not worth buying.
**One Key Area Where It Fails**
If you care deeply about mobile photography or videography, skip the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The camera features are underwhelming compared to what’s expected in a flagship device like the S27 Ultra, which is set to be released soon.
**But, There Are Some Nice Features**
On the other hand, if cameras aren’t your obsession, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has some genuinely appealing features. Flex Magic Pixel is one of those unique features only Samsung would ship. The phone also boasts a prominent dual-layer camera bump, corners are more rounded than before, and thickness has been reduced.
**Under the Hood**
The device comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the world’s fastest mobile chip. Galaxy AI has been improved to become Agentic AI. One UI 8.5 brings multiple benefits and convenience over previous iterations of the software.
**Price: A Major Concern**
However, Samsung has announced that the Galaxy S26 lineup will launch roughly $100,000 won (around $70) higher than the S25 lineup, with the base model priced at around $1.2 million won (about $835) and the Ultra hitting up to $2.2 million won (about $1,525).
**Other Features Worth Noting**
The phone will also include a new Privacy Display feature that hides certain pixels on the screen in a smart way, making it harder for others to see what’s on your screen from the side. This is set to launch with the Galaxy S26 series.
Additionally, Samsung users may lose vital Health app features starting July 2026, as the service region will now be determined by your Samsung Account country rather than your device’s original market.
**One UI 8.5: A Software Update Worth Waiting For**
One UI 8.5 promises significant changes to several core apps, including Messages, Game Booster, Camera, and Wallet.
**Pre-Order Rumors and Charging Speeds**
There’s a rumor that Samsung may ship a free 60W super-fast charger with the Galaxy S26 Ultra during pre-order phase, which could make up for losing the free storage upgrade offer. This is also partly due to supply chain constraints.
In summary, if you own an older model or aren’t deeply invested in mobile photography, the Galaxy S26 Ultra might be worth considering. However, if you’re on a newer device, it’s not necessary to upgrade just yet.
Source: https://www.sammyfans.com/2026/02/09/galaxy-s26-ultra-buyer-guide-buy-skip