Post
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Honest 48-Hour ReviewThe Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is reviewed after 48 hours of use. While it shares similarities with its predecessor, key improvements include a privacy screen, enhanced gaming performance due to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a larger vapor chamber, and advanced video recording capabilities with the new APV codec. The camera system also sees improvements, particularly in low-light performance. Despite some minor drawbacks like the return to an aluminum frame and the S Pen placement, the reviewer is seriously considering making it their main device.
1. 📱 Initial Impressions: Familiar Design with Key Upgrades
- ✅ The S26 Ultra appears similar to previous models with the same battery and camera system.
- ⚠️ Samsung has reverted to armor aluminum instead of titanium, potentially impacting durability without a case.
- 💡 The focus is on the device being an "agentic AI smartphone."
00:00 - 00:21
1. 📱 Initial Impressions: Familiar Design with Key Upgrades
- ✅ The S26 Ultra appears similar to previous models with the same battery and camera system.
- ⚠️ Samsung has reverted to armor aluminum instead of titanium, potentially impacting durability without a case.
- 💡 The focus is on the device being an "agentic AI smartphone."
00:22 - 00:40
2. 👍 Positive Early Experiences and Channel Promotion
- ✅ Despite initial reservations, the reviewer finds the phone a solid choice.
- 📢 A call for viewers to like and subscribe to the channel.
00:41 - 01:52
3. ⚙️ Unchanged and Minor Physical Changes in the S26 Ultra
- ✅ The phone retains Corning's Gorilla Glass Armor 2 and Victus 2.
- ✅ The display is the same, aside from the privacy screen feature.
- ✅ The selfie camera and rear camera stack are mostly unchanged, with slight aperture adjustments for better low-light performance.
- ✅ The phone is slightly wider, taller, and thinner, and four grams lighter.
01:53 - 02:22
4. 🛡️ Return to Armor Aluminum and the Importance of Using a Case
- ⚠️ Samsung's return to armor aluminum for the frame is noted.
- ✅ The aluminum frame, along with a larger vapor chamber, improves thermal performance.
- ⚠️ The reviewer suggests using a case due to the aluminum frame's susceptibility to damage.
02:23 - 03:37
5. 📱 Dbrand Sponsorship: Cases and Screen Protectors for the S26 Ultra
- ✅ Dbrand sponsors the video, showcasing their Ghost case, Grip case, and Tank case.
- ✅ The Ghost case is a clear, non-yellowing case with raised bumpers.
- ✅ The Grip case is a hardback case with a textured edge for better grip and customizable skins.
- ✅ The Tank case is a rugged case with customizable buttons.
- ✅ Dbrand's Prism 2.0 screen protector is highlighted for its easy installation.
- 🔗 A link to Dbrand's website is provided.
03:38 - 05:35
6. 🔒 Privacy Screen Feature: Protecting Your Display from Prying Eyes
- ✅ The S26 Ultra features a privacy screen that can be enabled for specific apps or conditions.
- ✅ It can be set to turn on for calendar, PIN, password, and notification pop-ups.
- ✅ The privacy screen can be activated as a routine based on location or time.
- ⚠️ Using the privacy screen may slightly reduce brightness and sharpness.
- 💡 A maximum privacy protection feature brightens the display to make it harder to view from angles.
05:36 - 06:30
7. 🚀 Performance Boost: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Improved Cooling
- ✅ The S26 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a step up from the S25 Ultra.
- ✅ The new chip and larger vapor chamber significantly improve gaming performance.
- ✅ Heavy games run better and for longer without overheating as much.
06:31 - 08:00
8. 🎥 Advanced Professional Video (APV) Codec: A Game Changer for Mobile Videography
- ✅ Samsung introduces APV, an advanced professional video codec similar to Apple's ProRes.
- ✅ APV allows for professional compressed RAW format, more data, and larger file sizes.
- ✅ The larger vapor chamber and aluminum frame help manage heat during video recording.
- ✅ Users can shoot with preview LUTs and edit log footage directly in Samsung's gallery.
- ✅ The phone supports recording directly to external media like SSDs.
- 💡 The reviewer believes Samsung has surpassed Apple in terms of ease of shooting and image quality.
08:01 - 09:55
9. 📷 Camera Improvements: Enhanced Low-Light Performance and Stabilization
- ✅ The camera system features a 200MP wide, 10MP 3x telephoto, and 50MP 5x telephoto lens.
- ✅ Larger aperture allows more light, improving low-light performance.
- ✅ The S26 Ultra is now viable for low-light shooting with reduced noise.
- ✅ Improved RAW image processing speed.
- ✅ New horizon leveling feature keeps the image locked to the horizon even when the phone is flipped.
- ✅ Overall stabilization has been improved significantly.
09:56 - 10:49
10. 🔋 Battery Life and Charging Speed Enhancements
- ✅ Battery life is expected to be similar to or slightly better than the S25 Ultra.
- ✅ Charging speed has increased from 45W to 60W, achieving 75% charge in 30 minutes.
- ✅ Wireless charging speed has increased from 15W to 25W with a C2 charger.
10:50 - 11:35
11. 🖊️ Minor Nitpicks: S Pen Placement and Design
- ⚠️ The S Pen is now placed closer to the edge, with a rounded bottom design.
- ⚠️ This design change means there is only one correct way to insert the S Pen.
11:36 - 12:24
12. ⌨️ New "Now Nudge" Feature and Final Thoughts
- ⚠️ The new "Now Nudge" feature, similar to Google's Magic Cue, requires using the Samsung default keyboard.
- ✅ The reviewer is seriously considering making the S26 Ultra their main device due to the beneficial changes, especially in the camera.
12:25 - 12:50
13. 🗣️ Call to Action and Closing Remarks
- ✅ Viewers are encouraged to leave questions for the one-week review.
- ✅ A call for viewers to like, subscribe, and leave a turtle emoji in the comments.