“If there’s ever been a phone to make you ditch Apple, this is it,” said Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth. So, who should buy this pricey Android phone?
Advanced users: The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a premium device with a zippy custom processor, a large, high-end display with stylus support, and elite cameras. It’s “too much phone” for the average person, to quote our review; only professional creatives and developers will be able to use it to its full potential.
AI enthusiasts: This handheld comes crammed with powerful AI tools, including pre-loaded Gemini, Perplexity, and Bixby AI assistants.
Privacy sticklers: The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a unique built-in Privacy Display that blacks out your screen to those around you. It’s not perfect, but it’s still pretty sick — and you can’t get it on any other phone, Android or otherwise.
Read Mashable’s full review of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
As of Oct. 1, Samsung has raised prices on the Galaxy S26 phones released back in March — and the phones were already more expensive than the S25 generation. That means a new S26 Ultra will cost you $1,399, while the 1TB version is a whopping $1,999. But, if you want the best possible Android phone, this is it.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the finest, most future-proofed Android smartphone you can buy right now. It’s faster than some mid-range laptops we’ve tried, so it can run just about any app, mobile game, or fancy AI feature you need it to. Plus, its upgraded vapor chamber makes sure it never breaks a sweat. Its display would be elite even if its cutting-edge privacy screen feature weren’t a thing — it’s so crisp and bright. Its battery lasts all day, and its cameras are almost unrivaled: Photos taken on the Galaxy S26 are vibrant and detailed, even at night or zoomed in quite a bit.
When it came to picking the best smartphone camera, we had a tough time choosing between it and the Google Pixel 11 Pro, but ultimately, the innovative privacy display gives it the edge.
