A $72 budget clone of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has surfaced online, mimicking the design but lacking features like Galaxy AI and 5G support.
© A. Krivonosov
The hype surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup is reaching its peak: the official announcement is scheduled for next week, but a "Galaxy S26 Ultra" has already surfaced online—specifically, a budget clone priced at $72. A popular social media video shows a smartphone that visually mimics the design of official Galaxy S26 Ultra renders almost exactly. The rear cameras, wallpaper, and overall appearance look convincing enough to fool the eye at a glance.
However, the interior reveals a disappointment: it offers only 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, 5G support is questionable, and none of Samsung's signature features are present—no Galaxy AI, no long-term updates, and no advanced photo processing. In essence, this is just a shell created for hype. Cheap clones often appear even before release, capitalizing on rumors and leaks to attract buyers seeking the latest device at a low price. In reality, this resemblance is limited to appearance, while the functionality leaves much to be desired.
The real Galaxy S26 Ultra will be unveiled on February 25 at the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco. For now, the $72 budget version serves as a reminder of how rapidly the counterfeit market is evolving.