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The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Missing Features and Future Potential
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a smartphone that needs no introduction. Samsung has operated in its own league for years, with each new S-series generation further solidifying its dominance. However, even in this pursuit of perfection, some perceived imperfections remain. While not critical flaws, these aspects are ripe for refinement in a device vying for the title of flagship king.
Key Areas Where the Galaxy S26 Ultra Falls Short
Here are five features the Galaxy S26 Ultra currently lacks, but arguably should possess:
1. A Battery Larger Than 5000 mAh
Samsung has maintained a 5000 mAh battery capacity in its flagship phones since 2020, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is no exception. According to TechRadar, the Korean giant indicates that the crucial silicon-carbon battery technology isn’t yet market-ready for its stringent standards.
These advanced batteries, while offering higher energy density, reportedly still fall short of Samsung’s rigorous safety and durability requirements. The company emphasizes that a higher energy density alone isn’t sufficient; they seek assurance that the battery will genuinely enhance daily user experience rather than just look impressive on a spec sheet.
Samsung acknowledges that competitors are already utilizing new battery cells but believes these are not yet scalable for mass production or do not guarantee a significantly superior user experience. While the Galaxy S26 Ultra could have potentially featured a larger cell, Samsung opted against it due to these concerns. It’s also worth noting that silicon-carbon batteries can degrade and swell faster than traditional lithium-ion solutions, posing potential risks akin to the Galaxy Note7 incident.
Interestingly, Samsung continues to research this technology, suggesting its potential integration into future models, possibly even the Galaxy Z Fold8.
2. MagSafe-like Magnets for Charging and Accessories
It’s surprising that Samsung has yet to incorporate MagSafe-style magnetic technology, a highly practical feature on iPhones. Samsung justifies the absence of Qi2 magnets in the Galaxy S26 Ultra primarily by stating that most users opt for protective cases anyway.
Instead of embedding magnets directly into the phone, the company chose to integrate them into its official cases. Sammobile reports that a significant majority, up to 83%, of Galaxy owners use a case, suggesting that built-in magnets might go unused or unnoticed by many.
Another argument from Samsung is the valuable internal space. The company prefers to allocate the space magnets would occupy to other structural components, aiming for a thinner device or potentially a larger battery. Indeed, the S26 Ultra is the slimmest Ultra model to date at 7.9 mm thick and lighter than its predecessor, though this didn’t translate into a larger battery. For many users, these arguments may not be entirely convincing.
3. True 3D Face ID
True 3D facial recognition is a feature many have anticipated for years, yet it remains absent from the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which relies on standard 2D technology. This method of verification has long raised questions about its real security level and inherently limits its use in sensitive services, such as banking applications.
Towards the end of 2025, various tech portals, including Sammobile, hinted that a breakthrough might arrive with the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Mentions of “Polar ID” technology appeared in test software versions, promising to create a unique “skin print” using polarized light. This system is expected to integrate with a new ISOCELL Vizion sensor and a BIO-Fusion Core security module.
In practice, this would mean instantaneous phone unlocking and significantly higher resistance to spoofing attempts using photos or masks. Furthermore, the solution is designed to work regardless of lighting conditions, even when the user is wearing sunglasses or a face mask. This suggests Samsung might finally be developing a facial recognition system comparable to Apple’s Face ID. While these advanced capabilities weren’t realized in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, its successor holds promising potential.
4. Enhanced Zoom Capabilities
Samsung’s flagship cameras have always been a strong point, particularly their comprehensive and flexible camera applications. However, the Galaxy S23 Ultra was the last model to offer a true 10x optical zoom. Subsequent generations, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra, reduced this to 5x, with “10x” becoming merely a marketing term for hybrid zoom.
This decision to reduce optical zoom has been perplexing, especially as it appears Samsung might be following Apple, which only recently integrated sensible optical zoom into its smartphones, enhancing it up to 8x.
Ideally, the Galaxy S26 Ultra should have introduced continuous zoom, allowing for seamless transitions between focal lengths without quality loss. However, this technology may still be some time away. Given that, a return to the classic, full-fledged 10x optical zoom would be a welcome improvement. In this regard, Samsung appears to have squandered a significant advantage it held for years.
5. A More Accessible Price Point
The pricing strategy for the Galaxy S26 Ultra has been a point of disappointment. Starting at approximately $1,600 USD, it represents a slight increase over its predecessor. Moreover, the availability of promotions and discount codes seems less robust compared to previous years.
Samsung has explained its rationale for the price hike. According to Won-Joon Choi, a representative from the company’s mobile division, rising RAM prices were a key factor driving up flagship production costs. Korean manufacturers point to a general increase in component prices. Additionally, aggressive investments in new AI-powered features necessitate more advanced chipsets, increased memory, and sophisticated cooling systems. All these elements contribute to higher per-unit device costs. While this reasoning might seem logical, it hasn’t entirely convinced many consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why doesn’t the Galaxy S26 Ultra have a larger battery?
Samsung states that advanced silicon-carbon battery technology, which could offer higher density, does not yet meet their stringent safety and durability standards for mass production. They prioritize real-world user experience over specifications.
What is 3D Face ID and why is it important for a flagship phone?
3D Face ID uses advanced sensors to map the unique contours of a user’s face in three dimensions, offering a significantly higher level of security compared to 2D facial recognition. This enhanced security is crucial for sensitive applications like mobile banking and provides more reliable unlocking.
Did the Galaxy S26 Ultra improve its camera zoom capabilities?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, like its immediate predecessor, features a 5x optical zoom, with “10x” referring to hybrid zoom. This is a reduction from the 10x optical zoom found in earlier Ultra models, which has been a point of contention for many users hoping for improved, or at least maintained, telephoto performance.
Why is the Galaxy S26 Ultra more expensive than previous models?
Samsung attributes the price increase to rising component costs, particularly for RAM. They also cite significant investments in AI-powered features, which require more advanced chipsets, greater memory, and sophisticated cooling systems, all contributing to higher production expenses.
What are MagSafe-like magnets and why might they be beneficial?
MagSafe-like magnets integrate a ring of magnets into the phone’s back, allowing for easy attachment of wireless chargers, wallets, and other accessories. This provides a more secure and efficient way to charge and use peripherals, enhancing convenience and functionality.
Source: Techradar, Sammobile. Opening photo: Gemini
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