The Galaxy S26 Ultra has been named the best smartphone by Consumer Reports.

Based on seven expert sources from around the world, the report Consumer ReportsThe non-profit organization confirms that the Galaxy s26 ultra, launched on February 25th of this year, is already the best option to buy at the moment. This is the third consecutive time that... Samsung Reaching the top of the list, this proves the excellence of the early-year releases. Understand how this was determined and what else was highlighted by the experts:

How Consumer Reports conducts its evaluations.

Created in 1936, the analyses are more focused on impartiality. Instead of the vehicle receiving test units as gifts or on loan, engineers and technicians purchase devices as if they were ordinary consumers. With the product in hand, laboratory tests are conducted to evaluate the performance, safety, and durability of the devices.

The money to make the purchases comes through monthly subscriptions, which allows technicians to acquire units of the main releases and assign fair ratings, also taking into account the product's price in the general market. An online version has been available to subscribers since 1987. The magazine, which includes its print and electronic editions, had a circulation of over six million copies at the turn of the 21st century.

To access the reviews, you need to pay around $39 per year. And the magazine tests more than just cell phones: browsing the website, you can find lists of the best vacuum cleaners, grills, and just about anything else you can imagine. In this way, the organization has become a reference for those who are still unsure about whether or not to buy a particular product, even if it's a bit more expensive.

Key highlights and notes

O Galaxy s26 ultra It achieved a perfect score of 5 points in seven of the ten categories rigorously evaluated by the magazine. Let's go through each one and the scores:

Fabric

Analysts cite the 6,9″ screen as a 120Hz AMOLED display with excellent resolution, further enhanced by the anti-reflective coating that allows for clear information even on a sunny day. Another essential change that positions the device as the best smartphone to buy right now is the privacy screen, which, when activated, prevents curious onlookers from seeing what's on the screen. This is quite useful for those who want to prevent their messages, bank passwords, and even phone unlock codes from being seen by strangers.

What's most striking is that, although this isn't a deciding factor in the purchase, it's a feature integrated into both the software and hardware, as the user can choose when and how the privacy screen can be activated: for push notifications, when specific apps are opened, and so on.

Rating 5/5.

Rear camera image quality

The report praises the photographic system of Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, powered by a 200-megapixel main rear camera equipped with optical image stabilization, which ensures superior captures in low-light conditions, even without the use of a tripod.

Practical tests, conducted under controlled studio lighting and evaluated on high-quality LCD screens, confirmed the excellent overall performance of the set, with particular emphasis on still photographs, and also attested to the "very good" quality of the 12-megapixel front lens.

These images are among the best results in terms of color quality, exposure level, sharpness, and noise.

Review of the Galaxy S26 Ultra at Consumer Reports

Rating 5/5.

Performance

In terms of performance, the report rates the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra The review was praised as excellent, highlighting its "exceptional balance between speed, battery life, and camera quality." Tests confirmed that maximum connection speeds and processor performance are very fast, allowing the user to perform most daily tasks without experiencing delays.

This practical result is a direct reflection of the embedded hardware: the device is equipped with the most powerful processor on the current Android smartphone market. Compared to the chip in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, this update delivers a significant improvement of 39% for the NPU (Neural Processing Unit), 24% for the GPU (graphics processing), and 19% for the CPU. To sustain all this firepower and keep high performance under control, the model also gained a new vapor chamber, which dissipates up to 20% more heat in the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

In addition to its processing power, the device's usability was highly praised, with a touchscreen rated as "flawless" for navigating menus, the web, and unlocking the phone, ensuring ease and comfort of use. Finally, the basic functions also deliver security: call quality and audio were rated as "very good," maintaining clarity in both quiet and noisy environments.

Rating 5/5.

Durability

Despite reverting to a previous design and abandoning titanium, Consumer Reports' analysis still highlights the Galaxy S26 Ultra's durability as a strong point, promising long-term use. Key features include:

• Resistance to Scratches and Initial Drops: The smartphone scored very well in surface scratch tests and passed impact simulations. After enduring 50 drops in a test drum, the device showed no damage and remained in good working order.
• Extreme Impacts: In the most severe evaluation scenario, involving 100 consecutive drops onto the drum, the screen and frame proved they can withstand strong impacts. Even under this level of stress, the phone was rated as excellent by experts, exhibiting only minor scratches on the frame and continuing to operate normally.
• IP68 Water Protection: The model also proved its effectiveness in liquid exposure, boasting IP68 protection. The device successfully passed the rain test, withstanding light precipitation that fell on it continuously for five minutes. Furthermore, the phone passed the water penetration test, remaining unscathed after total submersion within the time and depth specified in the laboratory.

The reputable publication also cites battery life as a highlight of the device: despite the device not having a removable battery, analysts managed to achieve a duration of 51,5 hours, one of the longest battery lives ever recorded in smartphone testing.

Rating 5/5.

Samsung sets a triple record.

After passing the magazine's rigorous test, the Samsung It consolidates its position for the third year in a row: this is because the Galaxy S26 Ultra joins the... Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra These devices have also been approved as the best option on the market to buy at the moment.

To crown this historic milestone, the assessment of Consumer Reports It not only reaffirmed the brand's supremacy, but also highlighted the advantage of... Samsung about its main rival, the Apple . As Galaxy s26 ultra securing the top spot with 88 points and the line dominating the podium (with the Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S24 Ultra Tied for second place with 87 points, the most advanced models from the American competitor were left out of the prestigious "Top 3".

The hyped ones iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max They only managed to score 86 points in the publication's demanding tests. With this result, the premium devices from Apple They suffered a fourth-place finish overall, sharing the position with... Galaxy S25 More, a model from the previous generation of the company itself. Samsung.

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With information: Gadget Bridge l Smart Price