If you're considering a new phone, your decision might be easier this time. In just seven days, 1.35 million Galaxy S26 units were sold during pre-orders, with the Ultra model accounting for 70% of sales. These numbers clearly indicate what features resonated most with buyers.
Officially launched in Korea on March 11, 2026, the Galaxy S26 series includes three models: the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. Instead of focusing on marketing slogans, we've examined what truly changes when you hold the device in your hand.
Key Takeaway: The most noticeable improvement is the camera. Low-light performance and video stabilization have significantly improved, and AI features have evolved to be more practical for daily life. However, the extent of these changes varies greatly by model, and some AI features will also be rolled out to older Galaxy devices. Therefore, the reason to upgrade differs for each individual.
Why the Ultra Stood Out This Time
The Ultra's 70% share in pre-sales is more than just a popularity surge. What resonated with people wasn't just the 'AI Phone' title, but tangible hardware improvements, especially in the camera.
According to Beta News, the main wide-angle camera features an f/1.4 aperture, allowing it to capture approximately 47% brighter images in low-light conditions. The telephoto camera also improved to f/2.9, making it about 37% brighter. Whether it's capturing clear photos of children at night or steady shots in dimly lit indoor restaurants, these improvements are felt through the results, not just the specs.
Pre-order benefits also accelerated purchasing decisions. The double storage benefit, which upgraded storage capacity by one tier, was a compelling reason for users sensitive to storage space.
How Deeply Has AI Been Integrated?
The AI in the S26 has moved beyond being a "feature you might try once" to something you'll likely use multiple times a day.
According to ZDNet Korea, the Call Screening feature allows AI to answer calls from unknown numbers on your behalf, providing a summary of the caller's information and conversation. This is especially practical for frequent spam calls or when an unfamiliar number pops up during a meeting. It fills the gap between the awkwardness of answering and the unease of simply hanging up.
Photo Assist enables photo editing simply by typing text, and also supports continuous editing. Creative Studio, which combines sketches, images, and text to generate results, has also been introduced, but the utility of generative features largely depends on individual usage habits.
Note: According to Newsis, some of the S26's AI features will be extended to older Galaxy devices, including the S25 series, through the One UI 8.5 update. This is why it's wiser to consider camera and hardware improvements alongside AI, rather than rushing to upgrade solely for AI features.
Camera: Results Speak Louder Than Numbers
According to KBench, the Ultra's 200-megapixel main camera features improved multi-frame HDR processing, and Portrait Mode now allows for depth control using a virtual aperture. This is likely to make a significant difference in scenes where older smartphones struggled, such as backlit portraits, indoor food photography, and mixed lighting on night streets, more so than in bright daylight.
Video capabilities have also changed. Beta News reports that the horizontal-stabilized Super Steady feature keeps the subject level and prevents tilting or flipping, even when the phone is moved or rotated quickly. This is a noticeable improvement in busy situations, like filming children running, creating travel vlogs, or close-up shots at concerts.
However, these significant improvements are primarily centered on the Ultra model. The standard and Plus models focus more on software and AI enhancements than hardware, so if you were already satisfied with your previous model's camera, the incentive to upgrade becomes weaker.
Who Should Upgrade Now?
If you frequently take photos and videos, and are particularly sensitive to the quality of night or low-light indoor shots, the Ultra is strongly worth considering. The pre-sale response clearly demonstrates this.
If your current phone still feels perfectly adequate and AI features are your primary interest, you might want to wait a bit longer. S25 series users, in particular, will receive some of these features via updates.
Real-world battery life, the perceived performance of the Exynos 2600 in the S26 and S26+, and direct comparisons with competing models launched around the same time are still areas where data needs to be confirmed. If these aspects are key criteria for your purchase, waiting for more review data to accumulate would be a reasonable approach.
Essential Checks Before You Buy
If you have high expectations for the Ultra, there's one thing you should know beforehand. There are reports that the initial storage space taken up by the system and pre-installed partner apps is substantial, and discussions are ongoing regarding the scope of pre-installed app deletion. Even if you choose a high-capacity model, checking the actual usable space beforehand can help manage expectations.
The utility of AI features varies significantly between hype and practical application for each individual. If you make many calls and frequently edit photos, you'll feel a strong impact, but for those with simpler usage habits, some features might be forgotten within days.
Caution: The standard and Plus models may not offer as significant a hardware improvement as the Ultra. If you were already satisfied with the previous model, it's better to be aware that this upgrade might be less dramatic than you expect.
Conclusion
The Galaxy S26 launch in Korea saw a swift and strong response. The Ultra, in particular, offers clear, visible hardware changes like camera and video stabilization, making it a compelling upgrade for photography and videography enthusiasts.
However, if your primary focus is solely on AI features, your decision might differ. Since some AI features will be rolled out to older Galaxy devices, the urgency to upgrade now varies from person to person.
Ultimately, it boils down to one question: Will the scenes I frequently capture look noticeably better than they do now? If so, the S26 Ultra is definitely worth considering. But if AI is your priority over camera improvements, there's no need to rush.
