Samsung’s flagship device for 2026 represents a steady evolution rather than a radical overhaul of camera hardware.
However, for those seeking a future-proof handset with plenty of AI firepower, the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains arguably the best Android all-rounder.
Both in photo and video, the Ultra compares favourably with Apple’s much-improved iPhone 17 Pro. It also compares well with the brilliant Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which has been my favourite Android shooter so far this year.
Samsung’s rear quad camera array includes a 200MP sensor with a wider f/1.4 aperture, which allows for photos that are 40 per cent brighter, something you will appreciate in lowlight settings, though the S25Ultra last year was also very good, as you can see from the photos below.
In video, a new super steady feature allows for ‘horizontal lock’ which means that even if you are moving the phone all over the place, like you might at a concert, the horizontal level remains the same.
Along with a privacy display, which blackens the screen to the prying eyes of someone next to you, it’s one of the ‘party trick’ features of the phone.
The S26 Ultra has a five times periscope telephoto sporting a 50MP sensor which also has an improved aperture, as well as an ultra-wide: 50MP sensor, which also produces some nice macro photography.
The front 12MP selfie camera has an ample wide field of view.
In our testing with the super steady mode locked on, we were able to film a rowing team in a boat powering alongside us while travelling on a ferry down the Brisbane River. (See video above)
The footage was remarkably steady, despite the movement we had on the boat.
The horizontal lock though, doesn’t prevent vertical movement in the shot so if you are waving the camera all over the place you will notice movement up and down.
One thing I noticed when filming video on a Samsung compared to an iPhone is the footage on screen looks more shaky at full zoom, even though I have a steady hand.
It can also appear to have more noise than video on iPhone, especially while filming surfers in the distance in early morning light, for example.
The Samsung camera, though, will film up to 8K so you have the option to crop in during editing afterwards if you are shooting at higher resolution.
While I’ve found the iPhone 17 Pro Max very hard to beat in the photo department, the S26 Ultra does have some definite advantages.
One is particularly in the area of lens flare, which the iPhone still suffers from, something that is noticeable when you are shooting sunrises or sunsets.
The S26 Ultra also arguably outperforms the iPhone in low-light ultra wide photos.
The details are clearer and sharper in some of the testing we have seen.
When it comes to shots of a supermoon, the Samsung S26 Ultra is the clear winner.
Once the camera recognises the moon, the phone uses AI to enhance the image, producing a significantly better and cleaner result than the iPhone.
When it comes to selfies, both cameras are very good. Samsung is now using new technology to improve textures and tones.
Overall, the Samsung produces more vivid looking shots while the iPhone is more natural looking.
In editing though, you can scroll through a range of filter options to choose the look you want. You can also download more from the app store.
Using the automatic editing setting on the Samsung often produces the best results.
Removing unwanted objects with AI is getting better with every phone release and upgrade, while with the Samsung you can now add to your photos.
For example, if you have shot a Korean banquet, and want to add drinks to the shot, it will suggest relevant drinks.
When it comes to editing, an upgraded Photo Assist suite allows users to describe what they want to change in their own words.
You can change the photo from day to night, change outfits, or restore things – like the bite taken out of your daughter’s beautiful birthday cake.
If you don’t like the changes, you simply undo them and try something else.
You can also use AI to turn your photos into 3D toons, retro anime creations, pop art, watercolours, oil paintings, crayon drawings and sci-fi designs to name a few.
We had a play and produced some fun results.
The new Creative Studio brings creation and customisation into one space.
Starting from a sketch, photo or prompt, you can create stickers and invitations as well as personalised wallpapers.
Some of the invitation templates are pretty ordinary though. Canva might be a much better choice.
One feature that is super handy is document scan which removes things like fingers or creases to produce clean scans. Multiple images can be organised into a single PDF, making it easy to digitise receipts, forms or notes.
If you take a screenshot, it will analyse it and segment it into eight different categories.
You could then use the S Pen to trigger AI to outline or select specific areas to analyse or extract content, for example adding to a Samsung Wallet or initiating calls or emails.
In the areas of general AI, Samsung remains a clear leader over Apple, particularly with its deeper integration with Google which is making everyday tasks easier.
Samsung Australia head of product, smartphones, Nathan Rigger, said the S26 Ultra built on years of innovation which included the Galaxy Z TriFold, the super slim Galaxy Edge and the Galaxy Z Fold7.
While camera specs and performance drive much of new phone buyers’ decisions, Mr Rigger said 20 per cent of S25 Ultra purchases are the result of its AI features.
“What a lot of people are looking for is those big, significant leaps,’’ he said.
The Samsung S26 Ultra, which is lighter and slimmer and a lot more comfortable to hold, offers decent leaps in processing power.
If you are looking for a flagship Android phone, it is hard to beat.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which has a 6.9 inch screen, retails for $2199 with 256 gig of storage, $2499 for 512 gig, or $2949 for 1 terabyte.
The 6.3 inch S26 base model starts at $1549, while the 6.7 inch display S26+ retails for $1849.