I recently got my hands on Samsung’s latest flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and after putting it through its paces, I have a simple verdict: it’s a productivity beast that wants to be your most discreet companion.
While the design feels like an incremental update, it packs a few “world-first” surprises that make everyday tasks feel significantly more effortless.
Much like the Samsung Galaxy S25, which I previously hailed as the ultimate power tool for writers, the S26 Ultra continues to prioritise speed and reliability. However, where the S25 was a steady workhorse, the Ultra is a high-performance machine powered by a customised Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. This chip delivers a boost in CPU performance, making even the temperamental WordPress app -my gold standard for stress testing – run smoothly.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has screen for your eyes only
The real showstopper here is the industry’s first built-in Privacy Display. With a quick toggle, the screen uses “narrow-angle” pixels to limit viewing angles, effectively blacking out the display for anyone trying to snoop over your shoulder in a Gautrain carriage.
It’s a genius move for privacy, whether you’re reading a sensitive text message inside a packed nightclub or fiddling with your banking app at the mall… your S26 Ultra screen is for your eyes only.
But a warning: turning it on cuts your resolution in half. Still, for managing banking apps or private messages on the go, the trade-off is worth it in a world filled with prying eyes and bad intentions.
Camera tricks and agentic AI
Creatives will appreciate the Ultra’s 200MP main sensor and the new “Horizontal Lock” feature, which keeps video frames level even if you’re a bit of a klutz during fast-paced shots. It’s a level of stabilisation that makes handheld footage look professional.
The new “agentic” Galaxy AI also introduces Now Nudge, which offers real-time suggestions like schedules and photos directly in your chat flow. However, the move back to an aluminium frame from titanium feels like a minor step back in premium “feel,” and much like my experience with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, the significant camera plateau means this phone will wobble on a desk unless you slap on a sturdy case.
To support all-day use, Super-Fast Charging 3.0 now hits 60W, reaching a 75% charge in just 30 minutes. It’s a welcome upgrade for South Africans who need to juice up quickly between unscheduled power cuts.
While a certain “Pro Max” competitor from California is still playing catch-up with three-year-old features like a dedicated camera button and slower 40W charging, Samsung has focused on practical innovations like a built-in stylus and a screen that actually keeps your nosey neighbours out of your business. It seems some brands prefer “dynamic” aesthetics over actual utility.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB) currently retails for R30,999, with the pricier 512GB and 1TB versions not yet available in South Africa.
