For over a quarter of a century, I've been reviewing Samsung phones, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is no exception. As the launch date approaches, it's time to dive into the most credible rumors surrounding this highly anticipated device. But before we get started, let's take a moment to appreciate the significance of this release. Samsung has been a staple in the smartphone industry since the early days, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra promises to be a game-changer. So, without further ado, let's rate the rumors based on my years of experience reviewing phones and compare them to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. But here's where it gets controversial... Samsung Privacy Display (8/10) Samsung is so excited about this feature that they've revealed it ahead of the Galaxy S26 Ultra launch. The new Privacy Display gives users control over what others see, whether it's blocking the view of certain apps or specific fields when entering sensitive data. This innovative feature uses a combination of hardware and software/AI to shield information from prying eyes without dimming the overall display. If Samsung can build this tech right into the phone, it could revolutionize privacy screens on smartphones. Better Low-Light Camera (7/10) The Galaxy S25 Ultra fell behind Apple in low-light performance, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to offer a wider aperture for the main camera, allowing in more light and resulting in brighter images. This upgrade will also enhance video performance, as Samsung has teased improved low-light capabilities. AI assistance will further enhance the camera's performance, with Samsung heavily promoting the term 'AI Phone' in its teasers. Faster 60W charging (6/10) Samsung's Ultra line has been stuck on 45W charging for a few generations, so it's exciting to hear that the Galaxy S26 Ultra could finally step up to 60-watt charging. The tipster Ice Universe claims the Galaxy S26 Ultra will reach 75% in just 30 minutes. However, our testing showed the Galaxy S25 Ultra reaching 71% in 30 minutes of charging over 45W, so we're hoping for even faster charging at 60W. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 power (5/10) While we've already tested a flagship phone with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, this upgrade doesn't seem as exciting. Based on leaked benchmarks, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will offer faster multi-core performance but lower single-core scores. However, it appears to offer better graphics performance than the iPhone 17 Pro Max based on the results we've seen for the OnePlus 15 in 3DMark Wild Life. Slightly updated design (4/10) The Galaxy S25 Ultra design was excellent, so it's not a huge disappointment that the S26 Ultra won't look much different. However, leaker Ice Universe claims there will be some notable changes, such as slightly more rounded corners, making it more comfortable to hold. The S26 Ultra will also be 0.3 mm thinner and 4 grams lighter than the S25 Ultra, but it will also be 0.8mm taller and 0.5mm wider. The display will increase from 6.86 inches on the S25 Ultra to 6.89 inches on the S26 Ultra, and the rear cameras will be housed in a raised platform. No battery upgrade (2/10) Despite the adoption of silicon carbon batteries by some Chinese phone makers, the S26 Ultra is reportedly sticking with a 5,000 mAh battery, which we don't expect to offer much more than the 17 hours the S25 Ultra turned in. No magnetic charging (again!) (1/10) We were disappointed when the Galaxy S25 Ultra launched with Qi2 support, requiring a separate compatible case for magnetic charging. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to share the same weakness, and the main reason is that the built-in magnets would interfere with the Galaxy S26 Ultra's S Pen functionality. Personally, I'd rather live without an S Pen at this point. So, there you have it! The Galaxy S26 Ultra promises exciting upgrades, but some features are more controversial than others. What do you think? Agree or disagree? Let's discuss in the comments!
