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01What a Galaxy S26 Ultra case with S Pen access needs
A Galaxy S26 Ultra case with S Pen access needs an opening at the bottom edge wide enough to press the pen's end and pull it out with a fingernail. Most cases made for the S26 Ultra get that right. Where buyers get caught out is magnets, which the S26 Ultra doesn't have built in but which many cases now add.
Samsung launched the S26 Ultra in March 2026. The S Pen still lives inside the phone, but like the S25 Ultra's pen it no longer has Bluetooth, so there are no Air Actions or remote shutter tricks. It's a writing and drawing tool now, and that's exactly the use that magnetic cases can disrupt.
- Dimensions
- 163.6 × 78.1 × 7.9 mm
- Weight
- 214 g
- Display
- 6.9 inches, with Samsung's Privacy Display
- S Pen
- Built in, no Bluetooth
- Magnets
- None built in ("Qi2 Ready" with a magnetic case)
- Charging
- Up to 60W wired, 25W wireless
02Magnets and the S Pen: the real trade-off
Shortly after launch, owners started seeing a warning on the S26 Ultra that reads: "Magnets in accessories can interfere with your S Pen's signal." Samsung's advice is to remove the accessory if you have connection or writing issues. Reports point mostly at third-party Qi2 magnetic cases, with results varying from case to case.
That doesn't mean magnetic cases are banned. It means you should decide which you care about more: magnetic chargers, car mounts and wallets, or a pen that behaves perfectly every time. If you rarely take the pen out, a magnetic case is a great upgrade. If you take notes all day, go non-magnetic and use a regular wireless pad. Our does Samsung have MagSafe guide explains the Qi2 Ready label.
Non-magnetic case
- Nothing near the digitizer
- Works with any Qi wireless pad
- Magnetic mounts and wallets won't stick
Magnetic (Qi2) case
- Snaps onto Qi2 and MagSafe-compatible gear
- Possible S Pen interference warning
- Remove it to test if the pen misbehaves
Flip or folio case
- Covers the Privacy Display when closed
- Bulkier in the hand
- Check the pen cutout clears the flap
Take the case off and test the pen on the bare phone. If it works bare, the case is the cause. Swap to a non-magnetic case rather than living with skipped strokes.
03Find your case type
A slim non-magnetic case
Liquid silicone or a carbon-fiber pattern case keeps the pen happy and the phone grippy. Charge on a standard wireless pad.
See S26 Ultra casesA thin magnetic case
You get Qi2 and MagSafe-compatible mounts, wallets and chargers. If the S Pen warning shows up and strokes skip, test without the case.
See magnetic optionsA rugged clear case
Raised edges for the screen and camera, and a bottom cutout big enough for the pen. Heavier, but it's the one to pick for job sites and kids.
See rugged casesA card-holder or flip case
Keep ID and a card on the phone. A flip cover also hides the screen. Check the flap doesn't cover the pen slot.
See wallet cases04Case types compared
| Case type | S Pen access | Magnets | Drop protection | Bulk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid silicone | Easy | No | Moderate | Slim |
| Carbon-fiber silicone | Easy | No | Moderate | Slim |
| Thin frameless magnetic | Easy | Yes | Light | Very slim |
| Clear rugged | Good, deeper cutout | Varies | High | Thicker |
| Leather card holder (magnetic) | Easy | Yes | Moderate | Medium |
| Smart-view flip | Check the flap | Varies | Moderate plus screen cover | Thicker |
Don't reuse your S25 Ultra case. The S26 Ultra is a different size, and a loose or tight fit can misalign the pen cutout and buttons. Our S25 vs S26 case fit guide has the details.
Non-magnetic picks first for S Pen users, then magnetic options for mount and charger fans. Check that each listing's model options include the S26 Ultra.
05Check before you buy
Not certain your phone is the Ultra? Go to Settings > About phone, or use Find My Phone to land on the right collection. Shopping for a charger too? See what charger the S26 Ultra needs.
For people who want cards or a screen cover on the phone. Both are listed for the S26 range.
Questions people ask
Does the Galaxy S26 Ultra still have an S Pen?
Yes. It's built into the bottom of the phone. Like the S25 Ultra's pen, it has no Bluetooth, so Air Actions and remote camera control are gone, but writing and drawing work as before.
Do magnetic cases affect the S26 Ultra S Pen?
They can. The S26 Ultra can show a warning that magnets in accessories may interfere with the S Pen's signal. Samsung recommends removing the accessory if writing or connection problems appear. Some magnetic cases cause no trouble; others do.
Does the Galaxy S26 Ultra have built-in magnets?
No. Samsung calls it Qi2 Ready, which means magnetic chargers and mounts only stick when you add a magnetic case.
Will an S25 Ultra case fit the S26 Ultra?
Not reliably. The S26 Ultra is a different size (it's 0.3 mm thinner than the S25 Ultra, at 7.9 mm), so buttons, the S Pen cutout and lens openings may not line up. Buy a case that lists the S26 Ultra by name.
What's the best case type for heavy S Pen use?
A slim, non-magnetic case with a generous cutout at the bottom. It keeps magnets away from the pen and lets you pop the pen out quickly without fighting a deep rugged lip.