As an avid user of Samsung's flagship smartphones, I've experienced every iteration from the original Galaxy S to the latest Galaxy S23 Ultra. However, my enthusiasm waned as I encountered persistent issues, including camera performance, inadequate charging speeds, and uncomfortable ergonomics. With the Galaxy S26 series still several months away from its official launch, recent leaks and rumors suggest it may repeat these same pitfalls, leading me to believe it won't justify the investment.
One of the most anticipated features of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is its primary camera, which is rumored to sport a wider f/1.4 aperture. This improvement over the f/1.7 aperture of the S25 Ultra could enhance low-light photography by allowing more light to hit the sensor. However, a wider aperture alone is unlikely to resolve the camera's existing issues. In fact, it may introduce blurriness and softness around the edges of images. To truly elevate the camera experience, Samsung should consider adopting a larger sensor, similar to those used by its Chinese competitors, to capture sharper and more detailed pictures.
The challenges extend beyond just the primary camera. The imaging capabilities of the S25 Ultra's 3x and 5x telephoto lenses have been lackluster, particularly with the 3x lens, which has remained unchanged for years. While there are rumors of a higher-resolution sensor for the S26 Ultra's 3x lens, without a larger sensor, the images will likely remain soft, mirroring the performance of previous Galaxy models. Additionally, the notorious shutter lag issue persists, making it difficult to capture fleeting moments in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
Another area where Samsung has fallen behind is in charging speeds. Compared to its Chinese counterparts, Samsung's flagship devices lag significantly. For instance, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra supports a maximum of 45W wired charging, OnePlus devices can achieve up to 80W. Despite hopes for improvements in the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, leaks indicate that Samsung will maintain the same 45W charging speed for the Ultra model, with the smaller Pro and Edge models capped at just 25W. Although the current charging speed allows for a 70% charge in 30 minutes, it still pales in comparison to competitors.
Moreover, it appears Samsung will not increase the battery capacity in the S26 Ultra, sticking to a 5,000mAh cell for the seventh consecutive year. While efficiency improvements may help, they are unlikely to lead to substantial battery life increases without a larger battery. In contrast, Apple has made strides by enhancing wired charging speeds, allowing the iPhone 17 to charge from 0 to 50% in a mere 20 minutes—significantly faster than Samsung's offerings.
Samsung is reportedly making noteworthy changes to its flagship Galaxy S lineup for the upcoming year, replacing the S26 Plus with a Pro model and introducing the slimmer S26 Edge. Ideally, this Pro model would mirror the S26 Ultra's features but in a more compact form. However, leaked renders suggest that the Pro will feature one less camera than the Ultra, and Samsung is likely to include the rumored 12MP 3x telephoto lens instead of the superior 5x shooter. This could widen the gap in features between the Pro and Ultra models, pushing consumers towards the more expensive option.
After years of stagnation in its flagship Fold lineup, Samsung re-evaluated its strategy, resulting in the highly successful Galaxy Z Fold 7. This latest foldable has garnered strong demand, prompting the company to ramp up production. Unfortunately, it seems that Samsung is not applying this same innovative thinking to the Galaxy S26 series. Despite the expected reshuffle in the lineup, the significant improvements that consumers are yearning for may be absent. Until Samsung addresses these critical issues, I remain skeptical about the Galaxy S26 Ultra and its place on my wishlist.
