The launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is less than a week away, and the amount of attention it’s receiving is not surprising. Afterall, it’s not every day that one of the global leaders in android devices (and the smartphone market in general) drops one of their most advanced products yet. But while the S26 Ultra promises exciting new features, sneak peeks also show many similarities to Samsung’s previous model. Deja vu begs the question as to whether or not the new design represents missed opportunity, or if the improvements speak for themselves.
Key features of Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra design
The first change fans can look forward to is Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra’s upgraded appearance. The previews showcase a sleek and modern look, with rounder edges than the S25. The S26 also features a larger display. But while aesthetic is great, it’s not everything–I mean I love having a device that looks cooler than two tin cans tied together by a piece of string, but my main interest is that it works better too. Fortunately, the S26 doesn’t just look the part, it plays it. The use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor is expected to boost performance, and storage and battery life are also expected to see increases.
But one of the most notable upgrades will be to the camera. We all know how important it is to be able to take quality pictures with your phone. Few of us frequently carry around true cameras (but if you do, here are some must-need accessories). The camera design for Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature three, identical lenses. These will be vertically positioned and raised in an oval-island on the back of the device. Sneak peeks also revealed that the S26 camera will have a more advanced zoom and improved quality in low-light settings. (This may leave us nostalgic for the bigfoot-documentary blur that has plagued low-light images for so long.)
Greater AI integration in camera capabilities is also expected. Not surprising, AI improvement is a big part of the S26 changes. Samsung is really leaning into improving their Bixby assistant through their partnership with Perplexity and the One UI 8.5 update.
S26 Ultra prioritizing improvement over extreme redesign
While many are counting the days to the February 25th launch (only 6 left), there has also been some criticism of the S26 Ultra’s subtlety in change. Samsung has often distinguished themselves as pioneers of the new. They’ve been forerunners in quality and innovation with a historical boldness in their designs (as seen in their commitment to bringing back the foldable). But so far it seems like Samsung’s emphasis for the S26 Ultra launch has shifted. There’s nothing radical about the upcoming new design; the majority of changes seem to focus on improvements from the S25. This release has also been a longer time coming. The launch was already pushed back a month, and rising costs in production have created a steeper price point for the S26 than past devices.
So was this a missed opportunity? Excitement around the launch seems to suggest not. Instead, it seems to represent Samsung’s confidence in their product. They know what they have is good, now they’re focusing on making it even better.
Is Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra upgrade worth it?
Ultimately, deciding whether the upgrade to the S26 Ultra is worth it comes down to user preference. For those hoping for radical new changes or huge savings, the S26 may not be worth the switch. But for consumers wanting an upgrade and to stay current in the latest technology, the S26 Ultra could be just what they’re looking for. Either way, the uniqueness of the new launch seems to be Samsung’s way of making a statement. Often Samsung has maintained a competitive advantage through uniquity, this release demonstrates they can also differentiate themselves through quality. They didn’t miss an opportunity. They took it, by standing by a product they are already proud of and quietly perfecting it in Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra.