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Sometimes, laptops aren’t designed for budget customers, but rather those willing to pay top dollar for design and performance. Samsung’s Galaxy Book6 Ultra (starts at $2,449.99, with US availability not yet specified) fits in the latter category – this 16-inch creator-focused laptop courts those who might otherwise default to a 16-inch MacBook Pro. Final pricing wasn’t available as of this review, but the hardware configuration – the latest Intel “Panther Lake” Core Ultra H-class CPU and an Nvidia “Blackwell” RTX 5070 GPU – signal a flagship laptop. Complemented by a premium metal build and a superb AMOLED touch display, the Galaxy Book6 Ultra is clearly designed to compete at the top of the market.
Design of the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
Once glance at the Galaxy Book6 Ultra justifies Samsung’s reputation for quality and style, and also a strong resemblance to Apple’s MacBook Pro. The gunmetal chassis and contrasting black keyboard deck gives the system a clean, ultramodern aesthetic. The all-metal exterior feels unquestionably solid and shows virtually no flex under pressure. I also noted it showed almost no fingerprints after several days of use. There’s refreshingly minimal branding aside from Samsung’s lettering on the back of the lid and under the screen.
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Despite housing a 16-inch display and powerful silicon, the Ultra maintains an impressively slim profile. Measuring 14.01 x 9.77 x 0.46 inches (WDH), it’s 0.2 inches thinner than the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches) and over a pound lighter, at 3.5 pounds versus the Apple’s 4.67 pounds. It also undercuts Dell’s 16 Premium (14.1 x 9.4 x 0.75 inches, 4.65 pounds) on both size and weight.
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Connectivity is good for a system this thin. On the left edge, you’ll find two Thunderbolt 4 ports and HDMI 2.1, while the right edge offers USB-A, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and a full-size SD card slot, enough variety that most users shouldn’t need dongles. Wireless support is also up-to-date, with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 from an Intel BE211 networking card.
Specifications
|
CPU |
Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |
|
Graphics |
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 (8GB GDDR7, 90W TGP, 1,545 MHz boost clock) |
|
Memory |
32GB LPDDR5X-8533 |
|
Storage |
2TB SSD (Samsung MZVL82T0HBL1) |
|
Display |
16-inch, OLED, 16:10, 2880 x 1800, 120 Hz, touch |
|
Networking |
Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE211, Bluetooth 5.4 |
|
Ports |
2x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, USB-A, 3.5mm audio jack, SD card reader |
|
Camera |
1080p IR |
|
Battery |
78 WHr |
|
Power Adapter |
140 W Type-C |
|
Operating System |
Windows 11 Pro |
|
Dimensions (WxDxH) |
14.01 x 9.77 x 0.46 inches |
|
Weight |
3.5 pounds |
|
Price (as configured) |
$3,199.99 |
Productivity Performance on the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
Our Galaxy Book6 Ultra review unit features a Core Ultra 7 356H processor, an Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. This is a potent configuration for demanding tasks, especially content creation. Though this isn’t a gaming laptop, the dedicated Nvidia GPU is also capable of some play.
For performance comparisons, we included the Apple MacBook Pro 16-Inch ($3,649 as tested) running the M4 Pro processor, the Dell 16 Premium ($2,799) featuring a Core Ultra 7 255H, and the Framework Laptop 16 ($2,396) with a Ryzen AI 7 350. These laptops all fit in the same class, though the MacBook ought to have the strongest CPU.
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In the cross-platform Geekbench CPU test, the Samsung had the best overall showing among the Windows laptops, with 16,655 points in multi-core to practically tie the Dell (16,850) and lead the Framework (12,399). None challenged the MacBook’s commanding 22,822 points in multi-core, and it also dominated single-core, with 3,910 points to Samsung’s 2,852.
The situation improved for the Samsung in the Handbrake 4K-to-1080p video transcoding test, where it finished in just 3 minutes and 18 seconds, outpacing the Dell by 32 seconds. The MacBook again commanded the lead, with 2 minutes and 38 seconds.
In our 25GB file transfer test, Samsung was at the middle of the pack at a rate of 1,467.5 MBps, ahead of the Dell’s 1,080 MBps but trailing the Framework (1,725 MBps) and the MacBook (2,237.5 MBps).
To stress-test productivity laptops, we run 10 loops of Cinebench 2024. During the test, scores ranged between 1,212 and 1,221 points, an exceptionally tight range suggesting consistent performance for long-running CPU workloads.
Display on the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
What really makes this system a stunner is its AMOLED screen. With a 2880 x 1800 resolution, touch support, and 120 Hz refresh rate, it’s truly remarkable for any kind of content, particularly colorful media. Watching Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, I felt immersed by the strong contrast in space scenes, bright flashes of lightsabers and blaster bolts, and the vibrancy of Endor’s forests. I even fired up Borderlands II for a little gaming action, admiring the smooth picture courtesy of the high refresh rate. It’s truly a first-rate picture.
Display measurements confirm the Galaxy Book6 Ultra’s visual excellence, with 121.2% of sRGB color and 85.8% coverage of DCI-P3. Framework’s system had higher DCI-P3 coverage, but it wasn’t quite as bright, which is important considering Framework uses IPS while Samsung uses AMOLED, a technology that has historically trailed IPS in peak luminance. The Dell is the only other system using OLED, yet it falls well short in brightness at 367 nits versus Samsung’s 451 nits. The Galaxy Book6 Ultra not only outperforms its OLED peer but raises the bar for this type of panel.
Keyboard and Touchpad on the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
Samsung’s black keyboard contrasts nicely against the gunmetal gray palm rest, with three-level white backlighting for a professional look. The typing experience, however, doesn’t live up to the aesthetics. Shallow key travel and the resulting limited tactile feel makes it hard to build confidence while typing. I normally average between 115-120 words per minute and near-perfect accuracy in the MonkeyType typing test, but I only managed 102 wpm and 95% accuracy on this keyboard after several tries. Granted, my muscle memory would probably compensate over time, but it doesn’t compete with my daily-driver ThinkPad for responsiveness or assurance.
At least the keyboard layout is sensible, with arrow keys that are all the same size and no oddball key placements. The absence of dedicated home, end, page up, and page down keys is a downer, but not a dealbreaker since they are available pressing Fn + arrow keys.
Samsung fared better with the touchpad. Its massive size (5.9 x 4.1 inches) and smooth surface feel luxurious, making sweeping multi-figure gestures effortless. I thought the haptic feedback felt too light at first, but it can be adjusted for more intensity in the Windows Settings app > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad. It felt more responsive after I switched to Light click force and upped the click intensity.
Audio on the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
Though the grilles on either side of the Galaxy Book6 Ultra’s keyboard the actual speakers face downward under either side. Provided the laptop is on a solid surface, this setup produces remarkably full sound. Watching the F1 movie, I was taken by the fullness of the voices, convincing surround-sound effects when cars drove by, and the impactful bass. Music was equally impressive, with a wider soundstage than I expected and plenty of volume to entertain a few people sitting around the laptop to watch at once.
The key to the speakers sounding their best is the Dolby Access app, which provides Atmos effects. The usual music, movie, and game presets are present, but Dynamic mode unlocks the best sound and provides much more volume than the other equalizers.
Upgradeability of the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
User-upgradeable components in the Galaxy Book6 Ultra include the storage and battery, but most other components are soldered. The screw-free bottom suggests there’s no way to get inside, but Philips-head screws are hidden behind the rubber feet. I used a plastic toothpick to get leverage, then popped them off. The feet are secured by threads rather than adhesive, and are easily pressed back in. Note the front feet are shorter than the rear feet.
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With the screws removed, I used a plastic trim tool to go in the speaker outlets and pry around the edges of the chassis, popping the clips free with minimal effort. Once I had worked my way to the rear corners, a lip along the rear edge allowed me to pry against the display hinge and pop all the clips there, at which point the entire panel came free.
Inside, the storage slots are below the battery. The main M.2 2280 slot is beneath a heatshield while the other extends to its right. Overall, there’s not a lot of upgradeability here, but it’s not uncommon these days for most components to be soldered.
Battery Life on the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
In our battery test, which includes web browsing, video streaming over Wi-Fi, and OpenGL workloads at 150 nits, the Galaxy Book6 Ultra lasted a respectable 15 hours and 21 minutes. While that doesn’t come close to matching the MacBook Pro’s 21-plus hours, it more than satisfies for all-day use. The Dell 16 Premium (7:15) and Framework Laptop 16 (8:20) barely managed half the Samsung’s runtime.
Heat on the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
The Galaxy Book6 Ultra uses a two-fan cooling system with airflow against the display hinge. It’s effective: during our Cinebench stress testing, which lasted almost an hour, surface temperatures peaked at 92 degrees Fahrenheit between the keyboard G and H keys, 83 F on the touchpad, and 103 F on the bottom panel. Internally, the Core Ultra 7 356H averaged 84 degrees C.
The fans operate quietly, with only the sound of air escaping through the vents and no motor noise or whine. While playing Borderlands II, the laptop’s speakers easily overpowered the fans and allowed me to hear small details, like footsteps.
Webcam on the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
The Galaxy Book6 Ultra’s webcam is properly placed over the center of the display but doesn’t stand out in visual quality. The soft-focus picture doesn’t look that sharp and tends to blow out highlights, with fuzzy details. There’s also noticeable grain in low-light situations. Its 1920 x 1080 resolution is the minimum expected on anything not considered a budget laptop; on one this expensive, a 1440p sensor would have been better. There’s no privacy shutter, but the webcam can be electronically disabled pressing Fn + F11.
For biometric facial recognition, the camera has an IR sensor. There’s also a fingerprint reader built into the power button at the keyboard’s top right.
Software and Warranty on the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
Minimal software is included on the Galaxy Book6 Ultra beyond the usual smattering of Windows 11 default apps. The Galaxy Book Experience app is a generic app for launching other apps, most Samsung-centric. For instance, Multi Control lets you control your Galaxy phone or tablet from your PC, including file sharing. There’s also a nearby device app that lets you find other devices nearby, such as TVs, and share content.
I stumbled through Galaxy Book Experience for a while before finding the Samsung Settings app, which has Galaxy Book6 Ultra-specific settings. Display settings allow you to turn HDR on and off, automatic color temperature control, and a focus mode that darkens areas outside of your current window, a unique setting for OLED displays. There are also preferences, such as automatically starting the laptop when the display is opened or the charger connected, keyboard backlighting timeout, and a battery protection mode to limit charge to 80%. Tinkerers can also experiment with the laptop’s performance mode: Quiet minimizes fan noise at the expense of performance while High Performance results in higher fan noise, with a toggle for maximum fan speed.
Samsung backs the Galaxy Book6 Ultra with a one-year warranty.
Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra Configurations
We reviewed the Galaxy Book6 Ultra with a 2880 x 1880 OLED touch display, Core Ultra 7 356H processor, GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. Availability isn’t certain yet, but this model’s projected price is $3,199.99.
Samsung’s international press release suggests that other models starting at $2,449.99 will be available with other “Panther Lake” CPUs, including the Core Ultra X7 and X9 chips featuring powerful Arc integrated graphics, as well as RTX 5060 models. Memory scales between 16GB and 64GB and storage between 512GB and 2TB. The OLED screen is standard across all models.
Samsung’s pricing comes on the lower side of Apple’s MacBook Pro 16-inch, which starts at $2,499. Adding the nano-texture display, the M4 Max chip with its upgraded GPU cores, and 36GB of RAM brings it to $3,649, and doubling the storage to 2TB brings it to $4,049. While that doesn’t make the Ultra a bargain, it isn’t outlandishly expensive.
Bottom Line
Samsung’s Galaxy Book6 Ultra makes an impressive statement. Premium design, top-tier quality, strong performance, and vibrant visuals coalesce for an elite computing experience. It’s a natural choice for those who gravitate towards a 16-inch MacBook Pro but prefer Windows or use software that only works on Microsoft’s operating system. Though we didn’t have pricing when we did this review, it’s safe to say it will be priced to match what it’s offering. We’d like more communicative keyboard feedback the next time around, but otherwise, there’s very little not to love here.
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