Samsung’s new flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra could also be mere weeks away, in keeping with rumors, and I’ve obtained a number of issues I particularly wish to see. In my 14 years as a CNET reviewer, I’ve examined each era of Samsung’s Ultra vary. I’ve taken 1000’s of photographs throughout all Galaxy fashions, performed numerous hours of video games and scrolled by means of footage of truffles on Instagram. So I’ve discovered a factor or two about what makes these telephones so good — but additionally, the place they are often improved. Over all that point, I’ve watched Samsung stay a dominant phone-maker, persistently out-selling manufacturers like Apple, Google and Motorola. But that does not imply Samsung can relaxation on its dominance. I’ve additionally examined superb telephones from manufacturers like Xiaomi, Oppo and Huawei which are extra modern and cutting-edge than what Samsung has been doing with its Galaxy S-line. And it is time for Samsung to indicate us all what it may possibly do. The S25 Ultra is not a lot of an improve over the S24 Ultra. They even look just about the identical. Andrew Lanxon/CNETSo with the Galaxy S26 Ultra nearly upon us, here is what I wish to see from Samsung’s subsequent tremendous cellphone. Galaxy S26 Ultra cameras want greater sensors Samsung’s Ultra telephones have all the time been up there with one of the best on the subject of taking photographs. Its Galaxy S telephones have excelled with night-time imagery, and it was among the many first firms to essentially wow us with telephoto zooms. But the digicam {hardware} hasn’t modified a lot over the previous couple of generations of Ultra telephones, and it appears like it is time to go massive. Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra blew me away with its pictures abilities, due to its 1-inch kind picture sensor, which is bodily bigger than the sensors you may discover in nearly every other cellphone digicam. A much bigger picture sensor can seize extra gentle, theoretically permitting for higher dynamic vary and extra element with out relying as laborious on software program picture processing. Taken on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and barely edited in Adobe Lightroom, I really like how the cellphone captures natural-looking pictures that preserve deep shadows somewhat than making an attempt to create a very pretend HDR look. It’s one of many few telephones that I believe can actually rival mirrorless cameras. Andrew Lanxon/CNETI love the photographs I’ve taken with Xiaomi’s latest telephones, and I wish to see Samsung create a digicam that is actually tailor-made to professional photographers like myself. Sure, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s zoom is nice, and the additional decision we obtained added to the ultrawide is sweet to see. But slap in an even bigger predominant digicam sensor for the S26 Ultra and let me snap wonderful pictures that appear to be they have been taken on a mirrorless digicam, and yeah, you may be onto a winner there, Samsung. It would additionally assist the S26 Ultra distinguish itself from the S25 Edge and Z Fold 7, each of which characteristic the principle digicam from the present S25 Ultra. Galaxy S26 Ultra wants extra picture filter choices Samsung’s cameras have already got a wide range of filters that alter the colour firming and publicity of your pictures. They work effectively sufficient and are much like Apple’s Photographic Styles in you can customise the look of every filter and alter these settings even after you’ve got taken the picture. You also can create your individual customized presets based mostly on the tones from a unique supply picture, which works OK. What you’ll be able to’t do is then share that preset for different photographers to make use of, and I believe Samsung is lacking a trick right here. There is a small tucked-away retailer the place you’ll be able to obtain a handful of extra presets, but when Samsung opened up the power for Galaxy homeowners to share their customized presets there for others to obtain, it might assist construct a group of eager photographers who would wish to preserve utilizing Samsung’s digicam telephones. Samsung’s My Filter device allowed me to create this Wes Anderson-inspired picture preset. I’d love to have the ability to share this with different photographers, in addition to use shade filters created by an enthusiastic picture group. Andrew Lanxon/CNETFujifilm has had related success with its cameras, permitting photographers to create ‘recipes’ that different photographers can merely key into their digicam and instantly begin taking photographs utilizing the very same filmic type that caught their eye. As a outcome, Fujifilm has an enormous, passionate fanbase that may greater than fortunately bore you inflexible about how nice Fujifilm’s cameras are due to the appears to be like you will get if you use them. Samsung has a chance to create the identical factor for cellular pictures. Galaxy S26 Ultra wants a smaller measurement choice The S25 Ultra may be an absolute powerhouse, nevertheless it’s additionally immense. At 6.9 inches, it requires thumbs the dimensions of redwoods to kind on one-handed and making an attempt to squeeze it into skinny denims means struggling an embarrassing bulge in…locations you don’t need an embarrassing bulge. And regardless of being 6-foot-2, I even have fairly small palms, so I’ve all the time most popular smaller telephones. I exploit the iPhone 17 Pro, not the 17 Pro Max, as I a lot choose the 6.3-inch display screen over the gargantuan 6.9 inches on the Max. But not like Apple, Samsung has all the time provided its finest know-how in only one measurement, which forces you to decide on between pocketability and efficiency. I like my iPhone 17 Pro. It suits in my hand. My tiny, tiny palms. Andrew Lanxon/CNETI’d like to see Samsung take a cue from Apple right here and put the processor and digicam abilities that make the Ultra collection what they’re right into a extra manageable measurement. I’d even be pleased to see the S Pen go to facilitate this — I by no means use it anyway. Galaxy S26 Ultra wants extra colours While we’re speaking design decisions, I’d wish to see some extra enjoyable colours within the Ultra line. Samsung briefly flirted with vibrant orange on the S22 Ultra, however its shade ranges since then have been somewhat extra muted. OK, positive, the S25 Ultra does come in numerous colours than simply black or silver, however they’re very delicate hues that, if I’m feeling beneficiant, might be described as elegant, and if I’m not feeling beneficiant, then they’re merely boring. I really like the Cosmic orange shade of the iPhone 17 Pro. I really like that it would not take itself in any respect significantly, and why ought to we? Phones are enjoyable equipment, and I do not want a impartial grey tone to match my enterprise go well with. I’m sufficiently old to recollect the Motorola Razr V3, which got here in a sizzling pink shade, and I’ll be trustworthy, I completely cherished it. My finest good friend Charlie had one, and I used to be intensely envious. The present Motorola Razr Ultra comes not solely in pink but additionally makes use of material on the again to make it extra snug to carry and helps it stand out from the glass and aluminium crowd. Just have a look at that sizzling pink Motorola Razr V3. What an absolute piece of magnificence. Angela Lang/CNETIf Samsung takes that vibrant metallic pink and slaps it onto the S26 Ultra, then I’ll be principally pressured to throw my bank card at them to get one. Galaxy S26 Ultra wants a bigger battery and quicker charging The Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a 5,000-mAh battery with a most of 45-watt recharge velocity. Which is identical specs because the S22 Ultra had when it launched 4 years in the past. Battery tech has moved on significantly within the final 4 years, and we’re seeing telephones now utilizing new silicon-carbon know-how for extra energy-dense cells and telephones with 100-watt charging speeds. Some of the fastest-charging telephones come from China, and lots of aren’t accessible within the US, however the OnePlus 15 presents 80-watt wired charging, and its 7,300-mAh battery significantly impressed us within the full evaluation. The S25 Ultra’s battery was actually good once we examined it, however with new battery know-how getting used on rival telephones, it is time Samsung gave its Ultra collection a little bit of a refresh right here. The OnePlus 15’s battery is not simply greater, it prices quicker too. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Galaxy S26 Ultra’s value I’m asking for lots on this article, and I do know that if I had my approach on every thing, the cellphone must see a major value improve. While the S25 Ultra really launched on the similar value as its predecessor, I do not count on that to be the case this time spherical. Between financial fluctuations, tariffs and the continued RAM scarcity, which is making parts dearer, the S26 Ultra is probably going going to come back with an even bigger price ticket — or see some specs lower to maintain prices down. But I’m hoping that Samsung is ready to preserve this to a minimal and never use market modifications as a chance to extend the value to a degree the place having the newest know-how is just out of attain for anybody with out the title “Oil baron” on their enterprise card.
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