Why South Africans are still obsessed with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

South African tech enthusiasts remain captivated by the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra despite its launch nearly seven months ago. This surge in interest coincides with the impending sale of Apple's new flagship phones, the iPhone Duo, on October 16. Local consumers are actively searching for premium alternatives to Apple's devices, and Samsung often appears as the more reliable choice for those seeking consistent innovation.

The S26 Ultra is priced at R30,999 at the official Samsung store in South Africa. It competes directly with Apple's recently released iPhone 18 Pro Max, which starts at R31,299. Despite this price difference, many South African power users are drawn to the S26 Ultra.

Design is a key factor. Samsung's device is lighter and more elegant in hand, compared to the bulkier frame of the Pro Max. Security is another area where the S26 Ultra excels. It introduces a unique privacy display function that obstructs the screen view from the side. No other smartphone brand currently offers this feature. Photographers and content creators appreciate the Ultra's impressive hardware setup.

It comes with a formidable quad-camera system, featuring a massive 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and two dedicated telephoto lenses with 3x and 5x optical zoom. The device also offers up to 100x digital zoom.

Battery life is another strong point, with the S26 Ultra providing dependable endurance for heavy users. The standout productivity feature, however, is Samsung DeX. By connecting the phone to an external display via a single cable (or wirelessly, albeit with a slight performance loss), the phone's interface transforms into a full desktop PC environment. Users can connect a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, turning their pocket-sized device into a portable computer.