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Galaxy S26 Ultra: AI Hype Falls Flat
30 Mar
Summary
- Samsung's AI features on S26 Ultra are mostly novelties.
- Prominent camera bump causes device wobble on flat surfaces.
- Aluminum build feels cheaper compared to iPhone's titanium.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, launched in late February 2026, aimed to impress with AI innovations and new features. However, for a recent iPhone convert, the device ultimately failed to impress, despite initial excitement. Many of the touted AI features, such as the Now Bar and generative AI photo editing, were found to be novelties with limited practical use, not living up to the "AI phone" designation.
The design also presented issues, with a significantly more prominent camera bump than its predecessor. This led to the phone wobbling noticeably when placed on a flat surface, a notable drawback for an expensive device. Furthermore, the return to an aluminum chassis from titanium was perceived as making the handset feel cheaper compared to the premium feel of its titanium counterparts.
While the S26 Ultra offered some appealing features, the overall experience did not sway the user back to Android. Factors like the lack of seamless integration with an existing Apple ecosystem, the comparative premium feel of iPhones, and the MagSafe accessory system further solidified the user's preference for their iPhone 16 Pro Max, at least for now.
