A Dubai tech creator has beaten Samsung to the punch. Sahil Karoul, a popular YouTuber and influencer, got his hands on the Galaxy S26 Ultra days before its official launch.
Karoul, who has over 290K YouTube subscribers, reportedly bought the phone from a local electronics store in Dubai for around $3,300. This is a genuine retail unit, not a prototype, meaning the device is already available in some stores.
He has shared unboxing videos, photos, and live demonstrations across X (Twitter) and Instagram. Fans got a first look at Samsung’s new Privacy Display, which blocks side-angle views for better security.
Karoul also tested the updated S Pen, noting it still lacks Bluetooth connectivity like the previous model. He compared the S26 Ultra to the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Camera samples and benchmark results from the device are now circulating online. Tech communities are buzzing, calling this one of the biggest pre-launch reveals for the S26 series.
The $3,300 price is higher than expected due to early importer markups. Some Dubai stores have already started reducing prices, and 512GB versions have appeared.
Samsung has not commented on why retail units reached stores early. The leak highlights the difficulties big brands face in controlling early device access in global markets like Dubai.
For now, Sahil Karoul’s social media accounts are the best place to see the Galaxy S26 Ultra before Samsung’s official February 25 announcement.
