Engadget Review Recap: Galaxy S26 Ultra and More

Engadget's reviews desk has been busy, and this roundup collects the highlights from recent hands-on coverage. The lineup spans flagship phones, earbuds, laptops and a few quirky gadgets worth a second look.

Leading the pack is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. While it doesn’t introduce a raft of headline features, reviewers found one notable addition: a Privacy Display that helps keep on-screen content from prying eyes. That subtle but useful upgrade stood out in testing, delivering privacy without making the phone look or behave differently when enabled.

Samsung's audio push continues with the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro. Sound quality and feature sets have improved, but Engadget notes Samsung still trails Apple in areas like built-in hearing health tools and heart-rate tracking. The Buds remain compelling for many users, yet there’s room for Samsung to expand fitness and health integrations.

Dell's XPS 14 (2026) impressed on design and specs, positioning itself as a potential MacBook Pro challenger. However, reviewers flagged a frustrating keyboard issue that kept the laptop from earning top marks — a reminder that small usability flaws can undermine an otherwise excellent machine.

On the more budget-friendly side, the Google Pixel 10a continues the A-series tradition: modest upgrades but strong value. Priced aggressively, it remains a practical option for buyers seeking capable performance without flagship cost.

For creators, the ASUS ProArt GoPro Edition PX13 delivers serious power, an OLED HDR display and plenty of memory, making it a strong alternative for professionals who prefer Windows hardware. And rounding out the list are several offbeat picks — a sleep-focused bedside gadget and an ultrasonic kitchen knife — that reviewers found surprisingly effective.

Whether you’re shopping for a flagship phone, earbuds, a laptop or something a bit left of center, this recap helps narrow the choices by calling out what each product does well and where it falls short.