Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a major downgrade to S25 Ultra in one key area, and that's why I didn’t buy it

by · Android Police

The Ultra series represents the pinnacle of Samsung’s engineering. It is defined not just by internal specs but by a distinct presence in the hand.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra perfected this with its refined Titanium build, which offers a density and texture that felt every bit like a premium flagship.

However, after holding the Galaxy S26 Ultra demo unit for a while, it feels like a step backward. By ditching Titanium in favor of Aluminum and reducing weight, Samsung has traded ‘Premium heft’ for ‘hollow lightness.’

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By  Stephen Radochia

The material downgrade

When I first picked up the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the shift in materials hit me immediately — and not in a good way.

I have always argued that at the $1,300 price point, you aren’t just paying for megapixels and clock speeds; you are paying for a certain level of jewelry-grade engineering.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra nailed this by using Titanium. It gave the phone a mature, industrial texture that just feels expensive and exclusive.

Switching back to Armor Aluminum for the S26 Ultra feels like a massive step backward in the luxury department.

Aluminum is the ‘every man’ metal of the smartphone world; it’s what I expect on a base-model Galaxy or even mid-range A-series device.

When I’m holding the S25 Ultra, the Titanium frame gives off a sense of rugged sophistication. It’s a material used in aerospace and high-end watches for a reason.

By comparison, the S26 Ultra’s Aluminum rails feel generic. Even with Samsung’s fancy branding, it is still essentially a refined version of the same metal we have been using for a decade.

For a power user who spends all day with their device, that loss of premium grit is a deal-breaker.

The weight and density problem

On paper, the difference between the S25 Ultra and the S26 Ultra is a mere 4 grams. You would think such a minor change would be negligible, but the moment I held them side-by-side, the difference became the elephant in the room.

The S25 Ultra feels like a solid, precision-milled slab of technology. There is a specific heft to it that signals quality with no wasted space. When I pick it up, it feels intentional.

On the other hand, by shedding those 4 grams while also thinning the chassis down to 7.9mm, Samsung has reached a tipping point where the Galaxy S26 Ultra starts to feel airy.

This creates a massive disconnect for me. When I’m holding a device that costs as much as a high-end laptop, I want it to have some gravity.

The S26 Ultra’s lightness makes it feel more like a toy and less like a professional tool. It’s the difference between holding a weighted professional camera and a plastic point-and-shoot.

Samsung might call this ‘ergonomic optimization,’ but to me, they have lost the ‘Ultra’ soul.

Samsung shouldn’t have followed Apple

When Apple replaced Titanium with Aluminum in the iPhone 17 Pro, it at least had a logical excuse for thermals.

However, the Galaxy S25 Ultra was already a thermal champ. It didn’t need better cooling via a material downgrade; it was already perfected.

Instead of doubling down on the premium, exclusive feel of Titanium to make the Galaxy S26 Ultra stand out, Samsung chose to blend in.

This was its golden opportunity to let the Ultra shine against the iPhone 17 Pro and even the Pixel 10 series.

While everyone else was using the standard materials to cut costs or manage heat, Samsung could have stood out with high-end, high-density construction.

Instead, we are left with a device that shares the same frame material as a phone for half its price.

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By  Will Sattelberg

Loss of identity

The Samsung Ultra series always had a sharp, uncompromising rectangle that felt more like a professional workstation than a consumer gadget.

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With the Galaxy S26 Ultra, that identity has been softened. Samsung has moved toward a more rounded aesthetic, curving the corners of the frame to better align with the rest of the S26 lineup.

I think it strips the device of its authority. The S25 Ultra had those crisp, defined corners that made it look and feel like a serious piece of equipment.

By rounding those edges and smoothing out the frame, Samsung has traded that ‘Note-like’ prestige for a design that feels safe.

While Samsung has improved the grip, it watered down the very thing that made that Ultra an Ultra.

One step forward, two steps back

For me, the switch from the rugged sophistication of Titanium to a standard Aluminum frame changes the identity of Samsung’s top-tier flagship. The Galaxy S26 Ultra feels like it lost its soul in the pursuit of weight loss.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra hit a sweet spot that balances modern material with a density that felt intentional and expensive. In comparison, the Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t give me the satisfaction of holding a device with a $1,300 price tag.

  • Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

    SoC
    Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
    RAM
    12GB / 16GB
    Storage
    256GB / 512GB / 1TB
    Battery
    5,000mAh
    Operating System
    Android 16 / OneUI 8.5
    Front camera
    12MP

    The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a world-first new feature called the Privacy Display, which hides the phone screen from prying eyes. The phone is lighter, thinner, and more powerful than its predecessor.

    $1300 at Samsung $1300 at Best Buy $1300 at Amazon
    Expand Collapse

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

    $950 $1300 Save $350
    SoC
    Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
    RAM
    12GB
    Storage
    256GB, 512GB, 1TB
    Battery
    5,000mAh
    Ports
    USB-C

    Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through — and yes, that S Pen is still here too.

    $950 at Amazon
    Expand Collapse