Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Security patches are lagging behind
In our review, the Galaxy S26 Ultra proves to be a highly mature premium smartphone, with Samsung focusing primarily on refining details. Samsung also delivers a strong spec sheet: Wi-Fi 7, UWB, fast USB 3.2, modern cellular standards, and a 5,000 mAh battery are all part of the package.
In everyday use, the new Privacy Display, which effectively restricts viewing angles from the side, is particularly convincing. It is especially useful in public environments, though it comes at the cost of some brightness and color accuracy. Performance, camera, and display are also top-tier, even if Samsung opted for optimization rather than revolution regarding the battery and camera.
The most significant advantage, however, is the software. The Galaxy S26 Ultra launches with Android 16 and One UI 8.5 and is set to receive updates for seven years—until February 28, 2033. This is a strong argument in the Android camp, as the device will not only remain secure but also functionally up-to-date for years to come.
Additionally, there are numerous Galaxy AI features, some of which can be processed directly on-device, enhancing data privacy. So far, Android updates have arrived punctually on a monthly basis, and our review unit carries the security patches from April 5, 2026.
However, this does not apply to the Google Play system updates, which are still stuck on the November 1, 2025 version. With the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the first update was also a long time coming, but they arrived reliably thereafter. Hopefully, this will soon be the case for the Galaxy S26 Ultra as well (buy here at Amazon).
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