Samsung, if you add this to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, I would be eternally grateful

The new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra flagship could be just weeks away, according to rumors, and I have a few things I particularly want to see.

In my 14 years as a CNET reviewer, I’ve tested every generation of Samsung’s Ultra series. I’ve taken thousands of photos across all Galaxy models, played countless hours of games, and scrolled through cake photos on Instagram. So I learned a thing or two about what makes these phones so good — but also where they could be improved.

All this time, I’ve watched Samsung remain the dominant phone maker, consistently outselling brands like Apple, Google and Motorola. But that doesn’t mean Samsung can rest on its laurels. I’ve also tested amazing phones from brands like Xiaomi, Oppo and Huawei that are more innovative and cutting-edge than what Samsung is doing with its Galaxy S line. And it’s time for Samsung to show us all what it can do.

So with the Galaxy S26 Ultra almost upon us, here’s what I want to see from Samsung’s next super phone.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s cameras need bigger sensors

Samsung’s Ultra phones have always been among the best when it comes to taking pictures. Its Galaxy S phones excel at night imaging, and it was among the first companies to really wow us with telephoto zoom. But the camera hardware hasn’t changed much over the past few generations of Ultra phones, and it looks like it’s time to go big.

Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra blew me away with its photography prowess, thanks to its 1-inch image sensor, which is physically larger than the sensors you’ll find on almost any other phone camera. The larger image sensor can capture more light, theoretically allowing for better dynamic range and more detail without relying as much on image processing software.

I love the photos I’ve taken with the latest Xiaomi phones, and I want to see Samsung create a camera that’s really tailored for professional photographers like me. Of course, the zoom on the Galaxy S25 Ultra is good, and the extra resolution we got on top of the ultrawide screen is nice to look at. But throw in a bigger sensor on the main camera for the S26 Ultra and let me shoot gorgeous images that look like they were taken with a mirrorless camera, and yes, you’re onto a winner there, Samsung.

This will also help differentiate the S26 Ultra from the S25 Edge and Z Fold 7, both of which feature the main camera from the current S25 Ultra.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra needs more photo filter options

Samsung cameras now have a variety of filters that adjust the color toning and exposure of your images. They work well enough and are similar to Apple’s Photo Styles in that you can customize the look of each filter and change these settings even after you’ve taken the image.

You can also create your own custom presets based on the tones from a different source image, which works well. What you can’t do is then share that preset for other photographers to use, and I think Samsung is missing a trick here. There’s a little hidden store where you can download a handful of additional presets, but if Samsung gave Galaxy owners the option to share their custom presets there for others to download, it would help build a community of avid photographers who would want to continue using Samsung’s camera phones.

Fujifilm has had similar success with their cameras, allowing photographers to create « recipes » that other photographers can simply input into their camera and immediately start taking pictures using the exact same film style that caught their eye. As a result, Fujifilm has a huge, passionate fan base that will more than happily bore you with how great Fujifilm cameras are because of the looks you can get when using them. Samsung has the opportunity to create the same thing for mobile photography.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra needs a smaller size option

The S25 Ultra may be an absolute powerhouse, but it’s also huge. At 6.9 inches, it requires thumbs the size of redwoods to type with one hand, and trying to squeeze it into skinny jeans means suffering an uncomfortable bulge in… places you don’t want an uncomfortable bulge.

And even though I’m 6’2, I actually have pretty small hands, so I’ve always preferred smaller phones. I’m using an iPhone 17 Pro, no 17 Pro Max, as I much prefer the 6.3-inch screen to the Max’s whopping 6.9 inches. But unlike Apple, Samsung has always offered its best technology in just one size, forcing you to choose between pocketability and performance.

I’d like to see Samsung take a cue from Apple here and put the processor and camera prowess that make the Ultra series what they are into a more manageable size. I’d even love to see the S Pen make this easier – I never use it anyway.

Galaxy S26 Ultra needs more colors

While we’re talking about design choices, I’d like to see some more fun colors in the Ultra line. Samsung briefly flirted with bright orange on the S22 Ultra, but its color palettes have been much more subdued since then. OK, sure, the S25 Ultra comes in a variety of colors other than black or silver, but they’re very subtle shades that, if I’m feeling generous, could be described as classy, ​​and if I’m not feeling generous, then just plain boring.

I love the space orange color of the iPhone 17 Pro. I like that it doesn’t take itself seriously at all, but why would we? Phones are fun accessories and I don’t need a neutral gray tone to match my business suit. I’m old enough to remember the Motorola Razr V3 coming in a hot pink color and to be honest, I really liked it. My best friend Charlie had one and I was very jealous. Not only does the current Motorola Razr Ultra come in pink, but it uses fabric on the back to make it more comfortable to hold and helps it stand out from the glass and aluminum crowd.

If Samsung takes this bright metallic pink and puts it on the S26 Ultra, then I’ll be forced to throw my credit card at them to get one.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra needs a bigger battery and faster charging

The Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a 5,000 mAh battery with a maximum charging speed of 45 watts. Which is the same specs as the S22 Ultra when it launched four years ago. Battery technology has advanced significantly over the past four years and we’re now seeing phones using new silicon-carbon technology for cells with higher energy density and phones with 100-watt charging speeds.

Some of the fastest-charging phones come from China, and many aren’t available in the US, but the OnePlus 15 offers 80W wired charging, and its 7,300mAh battery seriously impressed us in the full review.

The S25 Ultra’s battery was certainly good when we tested it, but with new battery technology being used in rival phones, it’s time for Samsung to freshen up its Ultra range a bit here.

The price of the Galaxy S26 Ultra

I want a lot in this article, and I know that if I had achieved everything, the price of the phone would have increased significantly. While the S25 Ultra actually launched at the same price as its predecessor, I don’t expect that to be the case this time around.

Between economic fluctuations, tariffs, and a continued RAM shortage that makes components more expensive, the S26 Ultra will likely come with a higher price tag — or some specs will be reduced to keep costs down.

But I hope that Samsung manages to keep this to a minimum and not use market changes as an opportunity to increase the price to a point where the latest technology is simply out of reach for anyone without the title of « Oil Baron » on their calling card.