Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB silver shadow

Heimlichtuer. Im Test zeigt das Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, was das neue Privacy Display im Alltag wirklich bringt. Wir prüfen Leistung, Akkulaufzeit und Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis und ob Samsungs Flaggschiff 2026 mehr ist als nur ein teures Upgrade.

Samsung has clearly made some under-the-hood improvements with the S26 Ultra’s picture processing capabilities, which makes it an even better handset for watching movies and TV shows

The Galaxy S26 Ultra certainly brings improvements and new functionality. The company has found an interesting direction for development in the Privacy display function, which after a few days of use becomes so familiar that you wonder how you ever managed without it before. In addition, Samsung has combined a thinner body, a more powerful processor, faster charging, better cameras with all the Ultra-series features that users love so much. This has made the Galaxy S26 Ultra one of the best Android flagships on the market. So if you are upgrading from the Galaxy S23 Ultra or an older model, you will get significant progress in all parameters. If you have an S24 Ultra, then the upgrade may make sense thanks to the Privacy display, improved cameras and overall comfort. But S25 Ultra owners will most likely have a harder time finding sufficient arguments to switch.

The new Samsung flagship has world-class mobile cameras, an incredible display, and the game-changing Privacy Display. The new Snapdragon processor outperforms Apple's A19 Pro chip, and you can run dozens of apps and use the latest AI features. If there's ever been a phone to make you ditch Apple, this is it.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a flagship device in every sense of the world. It is a compelling combination of design, hardware, software, AI and technology that’s built for customers to use every day and make life easier, to stay connected, creative, productive and informed and to capture memories in the highest quality. The S26 Ultra is one of the best smartphones you can buy.

It’s not a game-changing update, but Samsung does just enough to keep things interesting with the S26 Ultra. Highlights include the novel new Privacy Display, and much quicker charging, advanced video features, and some of the best software around.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best Android phone yet with a truly innovative and useful Privacy Display. You also get promising ‘agentic AI’ features like Now Nudge, a thinner and lighter design and better photos in low-light. But the camera bump is a bit much, and there’s still no silicon carbon battery. Here’s the pros and cons in my full review.

The Samsung S26 Ultra is by far Samsung's best Galaxy S phone yet, and while it doesn't reinvent the iconic Android handset, it moves the design, power, AI, and creative capabilities in a positive direction and without raising the price. People will be talking about the Privacy display and Super Steady video for some time to come. Sure, there might be too many AI options on board but, overall, the S26 Ultra is a winner and easily one of the best smartphones of the year.

While not an extensive generational overhaul, the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains the Android of choice for power users. It’s hugely capable and the world-first display tech is seriously clever.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is ultimately a finessing of Android's finest, delivering an impressive world-first in Privacy Display. Sure, some AI features don't yet deliver their full promise – the core photographic ones are truly great – but will improve over time and investment. Looking at the competition, it's clear some rivals now offer compelling camera alternatives, but the S26 Ultra is still a great and rounded experience. While the Galaxy S26 Ultra could seem like a marginal generation-on-generation upgrade, when you're upgrading the best to be better, that only makes for an even more compelling prospect.

While the S26 Ultra might not wow you with a ton of major improvements, it brings subtle upgrades across the board along with a new standout display for anyone who cares about privacy.