Samsung Mobile Phones

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in review

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB is a premium AO shortlist pick for buyers who need the top storage tier, SIM-free flexibility and a strong customer rating — but at £1,699, it is worth comparing against the 512GB version first.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in product image from AO.com

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Last verified: 2026-07-21

Quick verdict

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB is a premium flagship rather than a value buy. AO lists it at £1,699 in White and Black, so the key question is whether you genuinely need the 1TB storage tier enough to justify the extra spend. If you want the largest storage option, SIM-free and dual SIM support, and a high-end Samsung shortlist, it is a credible candidate; if not, the 512GB alternative is easier to defend on value.

Available colours and prices

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in is listed with 2 colour options from £1,699. The visible colours include White, Black, so use the table to compare the option that matches the exact size, colour, format or specification you want. Always confirm the final checkout price, delivery charge and stock status on the retailer page.

Colour Key spec Price Stock Last checked Link
White Check retailer £1,699 In stock 2026-07-21 View
Black Check retailer £1,699 In stock 2026-07-21 View

Key product details

These are the retailer details worth checking first for Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in: Brand: Samsung; Type: Mobile Phones; Colours tracked: White, Black; Price range: £1,699. Treat them as a quick fact sheet, then use the retailer page to verify any installation, warranty, delivery or model-number details before buying.

BrandSamsung
TypeMobile Phones
Colours trackedWhite, Black
Price range£1,699
Owner rating signal4.9 out of 5 from up to 6,959 reviews
Last checked2026-07-21

What AO and Samsung confirm

AO identifies this listing as model SM-S948 and shows 16GB RAM, SIM-free support, dual SIM, a 200MP rear camera system and a 12MP front camera. Samsung’s official materials confirm that a 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra variant exists, and the wider family specs point to a 6.9-inch display, 3120 x 1440 resolution and a 5000mAh battery. Live stock, colour availability, delivery terms and final checkout price should still be checked on AO before you buy, because those details can change.

What stands out about the range

The standout point is that this is a premium storage-led version of Samsung’s flagship phone family, with AO showing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB at £1,699 in White and Black. The 1TB tier is mainly for heavy storage users: people who keep large photo libraries, download lots of media or want extra headroom for future use. Compared with the rest of the mobile phone market, it is clearly a top-end purchase, so the specification has to justify the price rather than the other way round.

Trade-offs to compare before buying

The main trade-off is between storage headroom and price. Moving from the nearby 512GB S26 Ultra to this 1TB model means paying more for extra space, not getting a different phone shape or a radically different core spec set. White and Black are the AO colours tracked here, while the Galaxy Z Fold7 5G 256GB at £1,799 is a useful higher-priced Samsung comparison if you want to stay within the brand’s premium end.

Price and value pressure

At £1,699 on AO, this model sits well above the comparable-product median of £799. In the comparison set, 51 of 53 comparable mobile phones start lower and none start higher, which puts this firmly in luxury-price territory. That does not make it poor value automatically, but it does mean you should think carefully about whether the 1TB capacity is something you will actually use.

How it compares with nearby Samsung alternatives

The nearest value comparison is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB option at £1,449, so the 1TB model asks for a £250 premium for extra storage. If you want to stay on the same flagship platform, that is the key question to answer. Another nearby Samsung option is the Galaxy Z Fold7 5G 256GB at £1,799, which is slightly pricier and shifts you into a different form factor. For colour choice, AO tracks White and Black on this 1TB listing.

How much confidence the ratings give you

AO shows a 4.9/5 customer rating from up to 3,830 reviews, which is a strong retailer-side confidence signal for this exact listing. It is useful because it suggests plenty of owners have bought and reviewed the phone, but it should still be treated as supporting context rather than proof of battery life, camera quality or long-term durability. Independent review coverage of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is broadly positive, but also tends to frame it as expensive and iterative rather than revolutionary.

Who it suits

This phone suits buyers who genuinely want Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB storage and are happy to pay £1,699 for that headroom on AO. It is also a good fit if you want the SIM-free, dual SIM setup, 16GB RAM and a premium Samsung flagship with White or Black colour choice. Shoppers who keep lots of photos, downloads or work files on their phone are the clearest match, especially if they prefer to buy once and not worry about storage later.

Who should avoid it

Budget-sensitive shoppers are unlikely to get enough extra value from the £1,699 asking price, especially when the nearby 512GB model is listed at £1,449. If you do not need 1TB storage, this version is hard to justify because the premium is mainly about capacity rather than a different phone design. It is also a weaker fit for anyone shopping primarily on price or for a simple upgrade path into Samsung’s flagship range.

What to check before you buy

Before ordering, confirm the final checkout price on AO for the exact SM-S948 listing, including any delivery charge or member pricing, and make sure White or Black is still in stock. It is also worth checking that model SM-S948 is the exact 1TB, SIM-free, dual SIM variant you want, especially if your network or travel plans depend on that setup. For a premium handset at £1,699, verify AO’s warranty and delivery terms live on the product page rather than assuming standard terms apply, because those details affect the real cost and how quickly you can start using the phone.

Is the 1TB version worth it?

The 1TB version makes sense if you know the extra storage will get used and you want the reassurance of the top-capacity Samsung flagship on AO. If your storage needs are more modest, the 512GB model is the cleaner value play at £1,449. The strong 4.9/5 rating from up to 3,830 reviews is encouraging, but the final verdict still comes down to storage need, colour preference and whether the live price matches your budget.

Good alternatives to compare

The closest alternatives to compare with Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in include Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in Sky, Bosch Series 8 HRG7764B1B Built In Electric Single Oven with Pyrolytic Cleaning, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB Smartphone in. Use these cards to check whether a nearby model gives you a better price, a more suitable specification or a clearer match for your space and budget.

Available Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in Sky

Samsung · Mobile Phones

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in Sky

from £1,699.

£1,699

Rated 4.9 / 5 from up to 6,959 reviews

Colours tracked: Blue

Available Bosch Series 8 HRG7764B1B Built In Electric Single Oven with Pyrolytic Cleaning

Bosch · Ovens · Built-in

Bosch Series 8 HRG7764B1B Built In Electric Single Oven with Pyrolytic Cleaning

from £1,699.

£1,699

Rated 4.8 / 5 from up to 3,584 reviews

Colours tracked: Black

Available Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB Smartphone in

Samsung · Mobile Phones

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB Smartphone in

from £1,149-£1,449.

£1,149-£1,449

Rated 4.9 / 5 from up to 6,959 reviews

Colours tracked: Black, White

Retailer details used

Last checked 2026-07-21. The source list below is included to help you check the details behind the comparison. Always confirm the latest price, delivery cost, stock status and product details with the retailer before buying.

Questions about this electrical

Is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB worth the premium over the 512GB version?

It can be, but only if you will actually use the extra storage. AO lists the 1TB model at £1,699 and the nearby 512GB version at £1,449, so the premium is mainly for more capacity rather than a different core phone design.

Do the White and Black AO listings differ in price or availability?

The tracked price is the same at £1,699 for both White and Black, but stock can change. Check the live AO page at checkout for the latest availability, because colour choice is often the first thing to shift.

How strong is the AO review details and what does it actually tell me?

AO shows a 4.9/5 rating from up to 3,830 reviews, which is a strong sign that many owners have bought the phone and left feedback. It is useful reassurance, but it does not prove camera quality, battery life or durability on its own.

Is the SIM-free, dual SIM setup right for my network use?

It suits shoppers who want flexibility, travel-friendly use or the option to separate work and personal lines. If you need a network-tied handset or are unsure about SIM compatibility, confirm your setup before ordering the SM-S948 variant.

What should I check about delivery, warranty and final checkout price before buying?

Check the final price, delivery charge, any member pricing and the warranty terms on AO before you place the order. It is also wise to confirm that the colour and storage level you selected are still available at checkout.