According to a detailed review by The Verge, Samsung’s Galaxy Book6 Ultra offers impressive hardware credentials with a sleek, MacBook Pro-inspired design and an outstanding OLED display. However, the review points out critical shortcomings in peripherals like the keyboard and webcam, as well as pricing that approaches high-end MacBook Pro territory without matching performance or polish.
- Vibrant 16-inch OLED display with 120Hz refresh
- Disappointing keyboard and webcam quality
- Premium price near MacBook Pro but mixed performance
Product angle
The Galaxy Book6 Ultra is positioned as a high-end Windows alternative for users who admire the MacBook Pro's design and screen quality. According to The Verge, Samsung has succeeded in creating a laptop with a beautiful 2880 x 1800 OLED touchscreen that supports a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, combined with a robust and almost indistinguishable MacBook-inspired chassis. The device also integrates gaming-capable discrete Nvidia RTX 5070 graphics, making it versatile for creative professionals who also want some gaming ability.
However, the review highlights weaknesses in the user experience notably with the keyboard and webcam, both rated poorly. Despite solid performance in general productivity and photo editing, the laptop falters under heavy graphics workloads and emits considerable heat on its underside. This mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses creates a product that aims high but does not fully deliver across all expected premium benchmarks.
Best for / avoid if
The Galaxy Book6 Ultra is best suited for Windows users seeking a sleek, well-built machine with a bright, color-accurate display and moderate gaming capabilities. Content creators who value screen quality and port diversity including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1 ports may find it attractive. Those wanting a Windows system capable of some gaming that surpasses what typical MacBooks can do will appreciate the Nvidia RTX GPU inclusion.
Conversely, buyers primarily focused on typing experience or video conferencing may want to avoid this laptop due to the subpar keyboard and webcam reported. Gamers requiring top-tier performance should look elsewhere, as the price point competes with more potent gamer-centric models. Additionally, users with tighter budgets or those seeking the best value for creative workflows might consider alternative laptops providing stronger all-around performance.
Pricing and alternatives to check
At launch, the Galaxy Book6 Ultra started around $2,900 but has climbed to about $3,800 for configurations featuring a 1TB SSD and Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU. This pricing brings it close to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Max chip, which includes more memory and a larger SSD for slightly more money. Given the proximity of price and the MacBook’s leading performance and efficiency, the Samsung’s value proposition is less clear-cut.
Potential buyers are recommended to compare the Galaxy Book6 Ultra with established Windows ultrabooks and gaming laptops as well as with MacBook Pro models. Alternatives in the Windows market include laptops from Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Extreme line or Dell’s XPS 15 series, which offer strong performance and build quality. On the Mac side, the latest MacBook Pros remain the benchmark for professional users prioritizing performance, keyboard reliability, and webcam quality.