I've been reviewing Samsung phones for over 25 years, and I'm here to rate the Galaxy S26 Ultra rumors. Let's dive in! With the launch of the Galaxy S26 Ultra almost upon us, it's time to dissect the most credible rumors. I'll be rating these based on my years of experience reviewing phones and comparing them to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Here's a breakdown of the key features and upgrades, along with my ratings and thoughts.
Samsung Privacy Display (8/10)
Samsung is hyping this feature, and for good reason. The Privacy Display gives users control over what others see, blocking specific apps or fields when entering sensitive data. It uses a combination of hardware and software/AI to shield information without dimming the overall display. If Samsung pulls this off, it could revolutionize privacy screens on phones.
Better Low-Light Camera (7/10)
The Galaxy S25 Ultra's camera fell behind the iPhone 17 Pro Max in low-light performance. Samsung is rumored to offer a wider aperture for the main camera, letting in more light and resulting in brighter images. Improved low-light performance will also apply to video, with AI assistance enhancing the results. This could be a significant upgrade for photography enthusiasts.
Faster 60W Charging (6/10)
The Galaxy S26 Ultra might finally step up to 60-watt charging, reaching 75% in 30 minutes according to Ice Universe. However, the Galaxy S25 Ultra charged 71% in 30 minutes with 45W, so we're hoping for even faster charging at 60W.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Power (5/10)
The new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip in the OnePlus 15 doesn't excite me much. While it offers faster multi-core performance in GeekBench 6, single-core scores are lower. However, the Galaxy S26 Ultra might have better graphics performance than the iPhone 17 Pro Max based on 3DMark Wild Life results.
Slightly Updated Design (4/10)
The S26 Ultra won't look much different from the S25 Ultra, but Ice Universe says there will be some notable changes. These include slightly more rounded corners, making it more comfortable to hold. The display will be 0.3 mm thinner and 4 grams lighter, but 0.8 mm taller and 0.5 mm wider. The rear cameras will be housed in a raised platform.
No Battery Upgrade (2/10)
The S26 Ultra is reportedly sticking with a 5,000 mAh battery, despite other phone makers adopting silicon carbon batteries for higher capacity. We don't expect much improvement in battery life compared to the S25 Ultra.
No Magnetic Charging (Again!) (1/10)
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will reportedly lack magnetic charging due to interference with S Pen functionality. This is a disappointment, as magnetic charging requires a separate compatible case. I'd rather live without an S Pen if it means a more convenient charging experience.
In conclusion, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has some exciting upgrades, but there are also some missed opportunities. Stay tuned for the official launch and see if these rumors come to fruition!
