Good Picks Guide

Phones

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung's 6.9-inch Android flagship, with four rear cameras, a built-in S Pen and seven years of security updates.

Official website
Four Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra phones from the back in Cobalt Violet, Black, Sky Blue and White, showing the four-lens camera island
Samsung

At a glance

  • Best forPeople who want optical zoom at two focal lengths and write on the screen, and are comfortable carrying a 6.9-inch, 214
  • PricingFrom $1,399.99; up to $1,999.99 at 1TB
  • PlatformAndroid 16 with One UI 8.5; Samsung states seven years of security updates
  • Key differentiatorA built-in S Pen and two telephoto lenses — 3x and 5x optical — alongside a Privacy Display that dims the screen to anyone looking from the side

Quick take

Four rear cameras with both 3x and 5x optical zoom, a 6.9-inch 120Hz display and an S Pen inside the body. The trade is size and price: 214 g, and $1,399.99 before any storage upgrade.

Good fit if

  • You want optical zoom at two focal lengths, 3x and 5x, rather than one
  • You write or sketch on your phone — the S Pen is built into the body
  • You want a published update window; Samsung states seven years of security updates
  • You read or type on your phone in public and want the Privacy Display

Consider another option if

  • 6.9 inches and 214 g is more phone than you want to hold
  • $1,399.99 before any storage upgrade is more than you want to spend
  • You are on iOS and your watch, tablet and messages are already there
  • You never use a telephoto lens or a stylus — most of what you are paying for here is reach and the S Pen

Key facts

  • PriceFrom $1,399.99 (256GB); $1,599.99 at 512GB; $1,999.99 at 1TB
  • Display6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz), Vision Booster; 2600 nits peak brightness
  • Battery lifeVideo playback up to 31 hours; 5,000 mAh typical capacity
  • ChipSnapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
  • Camera system200MP Wide (F1.4, 2x optical-quality zoom), 50MP Ultra Wide (F1.9), 50MP Telephoto (F2.9, 5x optical and 10x optical-quality zoom), 10MP Telephoto (F2.4, 3x opt
  • Operating systemAndroid 16 with One UI 8.5
  • ChargingUp to 75% in around 30 minutes with a 60W adapter; Super Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare
  • Size and weight163.6 mm tall x 78.1 wide x 7.9 deep; 214 g
  • Storage256GB and 512GB with 12GB of memory; 1TB with 16GB of memory
  • Software supportSeven years of security updates
  • Water resistanceIP68, to a maximum depth of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes

Compare Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Gallery

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in Black, White, Sky Blue and Cobalt Violet, with a front view showing the display and the S Pen alongside
Samsung

Alternatives

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Google's 6.3-inch Pro Pixel, with a three-camera system, the Tensor G5 chip and seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates.

View product

iPhone 17

Apple's 6.3-inch iPhone, with an A19 chip, two 48MP rear cameras and up to 30 hours of video playback.

View product

iPhone 17 Pro

Apple's previous 6.3-inch Pro iPhone, with an A19 Pro chip, three 48MP rear cameras and up to 33 hours of video playback.

View product