The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a smartphone that feels like a throwback to a time when smartphone brands would take bold steps forward with each release, rather than serving up incremental improvements. It introduces genuinely useful new features, both in hardware and software, making it a significant upgrade from the previous year's model. The S26 Ultra's signature feature is its Privacy Display, a nifty piece of hardware that limits the viewing angles of the 6.9-inch screen, making it harder for anyone nearby to catch a glance at your phone. This feature can be toggled on and off from the quick settings panel and is preset to activate under certain conditions, such as when entering banking apps or hiding notifications. While it slightly reduces the brightness of the display, it provides peace of mind when using the device in public.
Another standout feature is the Now Nudge functionality, which collates information from various apps and suggests actions based on your screen content. It's a handy feature that becomes more integrated over time, making the phone less fiddly to navigate. The S26 Ultra also boasts an enhanced photography and videography offering, with AI image enhancement that can touch up or reimagine photos after the fact. The cameras themselves are of a very high standard, with improved low-light photography and a new 'horizontal lock' functionality for smooth video recording.
The S26 Ultra's design and build quality are similar to its predecessor, with a slight weight and thickness reduction. However, the camera lenses now sit on a protruding platform, causing rocking when placed on a flat surface. The battery life is excellent, reaching the end of the day with 50% still in the tank. Overall, the S26 Ultra is a strong choice for those seeking a non-folding Android smartphone with useful AI functionality, excellent photography, and a premium build quality.
In my opinion, the S26 Ultra is the best non-folding Android smartphone available. While it may not have the same wow factor as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, it offers more than enough features to make it a compelling recommendation. If you're tired of feeling paranoid about people peeping over your shoulder and want a phone with genuinely useful AI functionality, excellent photography, and a premium build, the S26 Ultra is a strong contender.
