Remix tests out the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with an action-packed weekend of events
Over the last few days, I’ve had the chance to put the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to the test. My perspective is slightly different: a chronically online 24-year-old, chronically online who somewhat shamefully hasn’t touched an Android since my first ever phone was a Samsung SPH‑M920 (yes, I am old enough to remember life before a smartphone). So stepping into the world of Samsung again felt equal parts nostalgic and slightly uncharted. Over three days in Rotorua, I tested every feature I could get my hands on—from the camera to the small, surprisingly useful tools that only reveal themselves when you’re actually living with the device. Here’s my take—I might officially be a convert.
First up, I tested Super Steady with horizontal lock, which you can activate from the top icons in the camera app. I was recording the scenery to kill time during the three-hour drive down to Rotorua, and when I watched it back, I couldn’t believe how steady the footage was. It’s one of those features you don’t know you need until you try it, and suddenly every bump in the road feels cinematic. I tend to rely on instinct and quick photo moments, but this phone clearly rewards those willing to explore its full potential.
One feature that genuinely blew me away was Nightography. We headed to Redwoods Treewalk to test it, and honestly, I wasn’t ready for how good it was. There’s no fiddling with buttons—the AI just does its thing. I changed the megapixel setting, pressed camera button, and the results looked like they’d been taken by a professional. What’s impressive is how the technology fills in the gaps for you, completing the picture in ways you didn’t even realise were missing. From where I was standing, the sky beyond the trees was almost pitch-black, but Nightography subtly adds in the tops of the trees, so your photo never looks empty, and still feels true to the moment.
The next day brought the highlight of the trip—and, honestly, the discovery of a hobby I probably should’ve picked up years ago: horse trekking. By this point, I was already confident with the Galaxy S26. Pulling out the phone one-handed, swiping to the camera, and taking photos was a breeze, even while keeping a firm grip on the reins. There were plenty of features to experiment with, including Dual Camera mode, which activates both the front and back cameras simultaneously—perfect for capturing views of the lake and my reaction in a single frame. I also tested the Ultra Wide Pro shot, which captured the full scale of the forest and surrounding landscape in incredible detail, making the scenery even more magical—like stepping straight into a scene from Bridge to Terabithia.
As a keepsake, I even cleaned up the photo of my horse, Dex, using the Samsung Object Eraser tool, removing any unwanted background details to make the memory as distraction-free as possible.
Some other notable features include the Privacy Screen, a debut for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This hardware-level feature limits viewing angles, making the screen appear black from the sides—perfect for keeping your photos or content private even in public settings. As someone who’s always on the go, constantly working and checking confidential information, this is a feature that is definitely going to change the game for me.
As for other AI technology, I played around with the built-in S Pen and the ‘Circle to Search’ feature. This was great for quickly identifying objects, landmarks, and even plants around me, making it super easy to learn more about my surroundings without leaving the camera app.
I also tested Gemini, Samsung’s integrated AI assistant, which was great for quickly pulling up information and answering any random question I threw at it. I even used it to understand the technology behind the Zorb ball before we went down,and ended up learning a lot that actually made me feel more comfortable about the otherwise frightening experience. It really felt like having a smart helper built directly into the phone, making everything from searching to organising information far more seamless.
After a few days putting the Galaxy S26 Ultra to the test, it’s clear that this phone isn’t just about impressive specs on paper. What stood out most was how the technology supported the moment rather than interrupting it. Whether it was snapping wide landscape shots, quickly researching something before an activity, or many mirror selfies, the Galaxy S26 Ultra proved it’s built for people who want their phone to keep up with them. So, what are we saying? Is 2026 the year of the Samsung? After this trip, it’s starting to look that way.
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