One notable change in the Galaxy S26 Ultra compared to its predecessor, the S25 Ultra, is the transition from a titanium to an aluminum frame. This alteration raises crucial questions regarding durability, and PBKreviews has conducted a drop test to evaluate how Samsung's latest flagship performs.
In addition to the different frame material, the S26 Ultra features more rounded corners, and its camera island is more exposed than that of last year’s model. The phone retains Corning Gorilla Armor 2 protection for its displays and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the back, just as the previous version did.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G
- 256GB 12GB RAM
£ 1,279.00 - 512GB 12GB RAM£ 1,279.00
The initial drop resulted in visible damage to the left corner of the frame, while the screen remained intact. However, the second drop led to a crack in the glass above the phone’s 5x telephoto lens.
After the third drop, the lens glass shattered completely, accompanied by further scrapes on the frame. Overall, the S26 Ultra showed slightly worse drop resilience compared to the S25 Ultra but remained fully functional.
In addition to the drop test, PBKreviews also released a teardown video of the S26 Ultra, providing insight into the device’s internal components.
The internal layout appears nearly identical to that of the previous model, which is not unexpected. The disassembly process is also consistent with last year’s. Upon inspecting the motherboard, it was noted that Samsung has increased the thermal paste around the back for improved heat management.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Features Enhanced Thermal Management
The video also showcased the S26 Ultra’s redesigned vapor chamber, which maintains a similar size to the previous model but with a slightly altered shape. Unsurprisingly, the S26 Ultra garnered a repairability rating of 9/10, identical to the one awarded to the S25 Ultra.
