Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Arthur Fuentes

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777540000712samsung galaxy s26 ultra.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers features that go beyond hardware specs, showing why the Korean tech giant remains top-of-mind when it comes to Android flagships.</p><p>From the Privacy Display to AI photo editing, Horizon Lock video shooting, the very useful S Pen, and its tight integration with the exceptional Galaxy Buds4 pro, the S26 Ultra is a standout. I’ve been testing this as a daily driver for several weeks now, and I’m thoroughly impressed. However, it is probably one of the priciest among the Android flagships, and buyers will have to decide if these features warrant the cost. </p><p>The Android ultra premium phone market has always been a battle of specs–who has the best screen, cameras, battery and build. But as the market matured, with performance differences among the major brands becoming less and less significant, Samsung apparently shifted to a new strategy to differentiate itself from the throng– features that focus on quality of life.  </p><p>Not that the S26 Ultra is a laggard in terms of specs. It is every inch an ultra premium phone:</p><div><strong>Screen</strong></div><p style="line-height:1">6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X with a 1–120Hz variable refresh rate</p><p style="line-height:1">Brightness: Up to 2,600 nits peak brightness</p><p style="line-height:1">Chipset, memory and storage</p><p style="line-height:1">Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 &quot;For Galaxy&quot; (3nm process)</p><p style="line-height:1">RAM: 12GB (standard) or 16GB (exclusive to the 1TB storage variant)</p><p style="line-height:1">256GB, 512GB, or 1TB</p><div><strong>Camera System</strong></div><p style="line-height:1">Main: 200MP Wide (f/1.4 aperture), offering significantly improved low-light performance</p><p style="line-height:1">Ultra-Wide: 50MP (f/1.9)</p><p style="line-height:1">Telephoto 1: 50MP Periscope (5x optical zoom, f/2.9)</p><p style="line-height:1">Telephoto 2: 10MP (3x optical zoom, f/2.4)</p><p style="line-height:1">Selfie: 12MP Front-facing camera</p><p style="line-height:1">Video: Supports 8K recording at 30fps and 4K at up to 120fps</p><div><strong>Battery &amp; Charging</strong></div><p style="line-height:1">5,000 mAh </p><p style="line-height:1">Wired Charging: 60W, reaches 75% in approx. 30 minutes)</p><p style="line-height:1">Wireless: 25W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging</p><p style="line-height:1">Durability: IP68 water and dust resistance.</p><div><br/></div><p>In terms of design, the S26 Ultra has more rounded edges compared to last year’s Ultra. This makes it look more similar to its siblings, the S26 Plus and the base model S26. Samsung says it is also lighter (214g) and thinner (7.9mm) than previous models. There is also a new camera “island.” </p><p>Samsung’s cameras have always been among the best in class. Although they don’t top the rankings on Dxomark, I’ve always found them to be pleasing in terms of color, details, lighting and ease of use.</p><div><strong>SAMPLE PHOTOS</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777540137671japan 1.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Taken with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777540232951japan 3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Taken with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777540251192japan 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Taken with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777540273849japan 4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Taken with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777540304731japan 5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Taken with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777540324831japan 6.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Taken with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777540345132portait.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Portrait taken with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777540364412japan selfie.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Taken with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><strong>AI PHOTO EDITING</strong></div><p>Samsung also upped its game in AI photo editing. During a recent trip to Japan, we had the bad luck of coming at a time when the iconic Mt. Fuji was covered in clouds. With a simple prompt on the S26 Ultra’s ‘Create’ photo editing feature, I was able to remove the clouds and appreciate what the scenery would have looked like on a better day. No, I wouldn’t recommend that people start doing AI edits on everything, but it was nice to see what could have been. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777540386969AI fuji.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mt. Fuji covered in clouds (top) and Mt. Fuji as it would have looked without clouds (bottom), edited with Galaxy AI. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>As to whether you need to be connected to use it, the answer is: Yes. As advanced as modern flagship smartphones have become, they still can’t hold the LLMs needed to do these kinds of AI sorcery on the device itself. You can however do “simpler” AI photo editing tasks like Erase or Move without needing a Wifi or data connection.</p><p>But still, being able to  a large photo, with a simple prompt is pretty nifty. You don’t even have to type the prompt as the phone can recognize voice commands.</p><div><strong>HORIZON LOCK</strong></div><p>An even more impressive feature is the “Horizon Lock” when shooting video. This footage stabilization system borders on voodoo, as it can keep the video stable even if you rotate the phone 360-degrees. It is a step above the already impressive “Super Steady Video.” It lets you shoot stable 4K video sans extra equipment.</p><p>For people who like to take action shots–running, hiking, biking, or even vloggers who like to shoot events like concerts and fan meets, Horizon Lock is a must. It makes gimbals unnecessary. Samsung says the new image signal processor in the S26 Ultra makes this possible.</p><div><strong>PRIVACY DISPLAY</strong></div><p>This was the feature that got a lot of attention when the S26 Ultra was launched last February, and is the phone’s most unique selling point. Basically, turning this on makes it harder for people anywhere around you to see and read what’s on your screen. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777546241315privacy display.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Samsung galaxy S26 Ultra Privacy Display off (left) and on (right). <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>“When activated, the screen’s pixels move dynamically to keep the display visible when you look at it straight on, but then appear dimmed when seen from the side by the people around you,’ Samsung says. </p><p>S26 Ultra users can opt to have the full screen hidden from view, or choose the custom settings instead, and set Privacy Display to activate only for notifications or certain apps.</p><p>This is especially useful if you’re in a crowded place, like the MRT, and you don’t want people shoulder surfing whatever your reading or watching on your phone. </p><div><strong>S PEN</strong></div><p>People who like to take notes will love the inclusion of the S Pen stylus in the S26 Ultra. I know that some people wouldn’t understand why a stylus could be needed in a smartphone that can transcribe as you speak. But neuroscientists and cognition experts have said that writing by hand beats typing for thinking and learning. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777546444941s pen.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra S Pen. <em>Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>While typing and even voice typing may be more efficient in terms of recording words, taking notes by hand makes it easier for the brain to understand concepts and commit them to memory. </p><p>The last time I used the S Pen was when I tested the Z Fold 3 years ago. It was one of the things I really liked about Samsung’s flagship foldable then, and I was a bit disappointed when stylus support was removed from the Z Fold 7. Thankfully, it’s back with the S26 Ultra. </p><p>I know Steve Jobs has coffed at the idea of having a stylus on a smartphone, but personally, I think a pen should be on every big screen phone out there. I just wish I could encase the S Pen in a beefier pen case that would make it easier to hold when writing. </p><div><strong>OTHER AI FEATURES</strong></div><p>Samsung is also pushing other AI features on the S26 Ultra such as its Now brief, which gives users a personalized briefing with suggested content and actions that change throughout the day. The Now nudge meanwhile suggests actions based on what’s on your screen, with the aim of helping get things done quickly and easily. Notification highlights meanwhile summarizes notifications to help users get important information quickly. </p><p>Personally, I don’t find these AI features as useful as the other features, but others may have a different experience.</p><div><strong>INTEGRATION WITH GALAXY BUDS4 PRO</strong></div><p>I have also been testing the Galaxy Buds4 Pro, and I really like the audio quality of these earbuds. It’s no surprise though that these buds have features that are exclusive to Galaxy phones. </p><p>The S26 Ultra unlocks Buds4 Pro features such as Super Wideband calling for enhanced voice clarity, and advanced AI-powered voice isolation. When you’re on a call in a noisy environment, the buds will isolate your voice so you can get through much clearer. It’s quite remarkable, especially when you use the active noise cancellation feature of the Buds4 Pro. (Watch out for our separate review of the Galaxy Buds4 Pro!)</p><div><strong>VERDICT</strong></div><p>Samsung’s Ultra flagship has an SRP of P87,285.00 for the 12GB-256GB variant. This is higher than competing Android flagships, and even the iPhone Pro Max. But when compared against other “ultra” phones with similar 12GB/16GB - 512GB specs, the S26 Ultra looks competitively priced. </p>

<p>Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers features that go beyond raw hardware specs, with the Privacy Display being one of its most unique innovations. </p>

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers features that go beyond raw hardware specs, with the Privacy Display being one of its most unique innovations.

REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra touts quality of life features over raw specs

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Technology

REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra touts quality of life features over raw specs

Arthur Fuentes,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 30, 2026 07:03 PM PHT

Read More:

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

S Pen

Privacy Display

flagship phone

ultra phone

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.