Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra just dropped to $961, and it's the Android phone to buy in 2026

Published Aug 26, 2026, 3:10 PM EDT Timi is the news and deals reporter for Android Police, who has been reporting on technology since 2008. He has worked in tech retail and also the IT space, providing hardware and software support, which gives him a unique perspective on the tech that he covers. This allows him to effectively break down complex subjects into easy-to-read pieces that even casual readers can enjoy. Before joining Android Police, he was a news writer for XDA, where he eventually transitioned to covering deals. He also worked as an editor and reporter for Neowin, where he covered news and attended major tech events like CES. He also reviewed phones, tablets, PC products, and other devices. In addition, he also created video content for the Neowin YouTube channel. Sign in to your Android Police account There aren't many flagship choices in the US. OnePlus bowed out earlier this year, and Motorola hasn't really invested in top-tier slab phones in quite some time. So, if you're planning to go with something running Android, it's likely to be Samsung or Google. The good news is that both companies offer some great phones. But if you're leaning more towards Samsung, we recommend grabbing this unlocked Galaxy S26 Ultra at its discounted price of $961 while you still can. There's no contract, which means it's fully unlocked and ready to use with any carrier. This is a refined device Samsung has refined its Ultra line over the past few years, which is why it's such a good choice if you're looking for a new Android phone. It has great build quality, feels comfortable in the hand, and the 6.9-inch AMOLED screen is jaw-dropping. Not to mention, the S26 Ultra features a Privacy Display to keep prying eyes from seeing too much. The software performance is unmatched, and Samsung delivers consistent updates. Plus, the company is committed to seven years of updates, which will keep things feeling fresh for quite some time. In addition, the phone delivers serious power thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. The camera setup also lets you explore all kinds of photography styles. There's a 200MP main, 10MP 3x zoom, 50MP 5x zoom, and 50MP ultrawide. We don't think you'll be disappointed. If you're looking to buy a new Android phone, this one is easy to recommend. You get everything you need at a price that's easier to afford. It isn't cheap by any means, but the steep discount is worth a look at. Just be sure to order quickly; stock is running out, which is quite a thing to say considering it's coming from Amazon. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra $961 $1300 Save $339 8/10 SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Display type Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display dimensions 6.9-inch The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a world-first new feature called the Privacy Display, which hides the phone screen from prying eyes. The phone is lighter, thinner, and more powerful than its predecessor. Display resolution 3120 x 1440 RAM 12GB / 16GB Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB Battery 5,000mAh Charge speed 60W wired / 25W wireless Charge options Wired / Wireless Operating System Android 16 / OneUI 8.5 Front camera 12MP Rear camera 200MP main / 10MP 3x / 50MP 5x / 50MP wide Bluetooth Bluetooth 6.0 Dimensions 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9mm Weight 214 grams IP Rating IP68 Colors Cobalt Violet / Sky Blue / Black / White / Silver Shadow / Pink Gold Stylus S Pen