Galaxy Book 6 Pro and Galaxy Book 6 Ultra Hands-On: Oh, So Pro!

At CES 2026, Samsung finally took the wraps off the Galaxy Book 6 lineup. The company brought three laptops to the show: the Galaxy Book 6, Galaxy Book 6 Pro, and Galaxy Book 6 Ultra. There aren’t any 360 or Edge models yet, but they’ll probably come later.

I went hands-on with the Galaxy Book 6 Pro and Galaxy Book 6 Ultra during the media preview, and these are my first impressions. Before diving in, here’s a quick look at the highlights of both laptops.

Galaxy Book 6 Pro highlights

— 14-inch and 16-inch AMOLED display options
— Intel Core Ultra 7 processors
— Up to 32GB RAM
— Quad speakers on the 16-inch model, dual speakers on the 14-inch
— Lighter and more portable focus

Galaxy Book 6 Ultra highlights

— Intel Core Ultra X7 Series 3
— Up to NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU
— 16-inch AMOLED display, 2880 × 1800 resolution, up to 1000 nits HDR
— Up to 32GB RAM
— Up to 1TB SSD with expansion support
— Six-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system
— Enhanced vapor chamber cooling

Table of contents

• Design
• Display
• Audio
• Performance
• Ports
• Galaxy AI
• Battery expectations
• Early verdict

Galaxy Book 6 Pro and Galaxy Book 6 Ultra hands-on: First impressions and design

The first thing that stood out was how slim and clean both machines look in person. Samsung clearly went for a lighter, more rounded design this year. The softer corners make a real difference when the laptop’s on your lap. It simply feels more comfortable during longer sessions.

The keyboard layout’s been refreshed and looks more symmetrical. One notable change is the removal of the dedicated numpad on the larger models. Some people will miss it, especially if you live in spreadsheets. Personally, I think it’s a fair trade. The keyboard looks more balanced, and the palm rest feels less cramped.

Brighter, more usable displays

Samsung’s AMOLED panels were already strong, but this generation pushes brightness higher. The screens on both the Pro and Ultra looked noticeably brighter than last year’s models. Outdoor visibility is much better, which is something Galaxy Book users have been asking for.

Colors stay punchy without looking overcooked, and contrast is excellent, as you’d expect from AMOLED. You also get adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, which makes scrolling and animations feel smoother. HDR brightness adds extra depth when watching content or previewing photos and video. For creators, this is the kind of upgrade you appreciate the moment you see it.

Audio and haptics steal the show

The speaker upgrade isn’t subtle. The new system sounds fuller, louder, and more immersive than before. On the Ultra, the six-speaker Dolby Atmos setup really shines, especially when watching video or playing music in a noisy hall like CES.

What surprised me even more was the haptic feedback. The trackpad feels tight and precise, firmly in MacBook Pro territory. Clicks are consistent across the surface, and the subtle vibrations make everyday navigation more satisfying than you’d expect from a Windows laptop.

Performance and thermals look promising

Both models run on Intel’s latest Core Ultra platform with a built-in NPU for AI workloads. The Ultra also offers an RTX graphics option for heavier creative work and light gaming. I couldn’t stress-test the machines on the show floor, but during video playback and light demos, they stayed noticeably cooler than previous generations. Fan noise was also well controlled.

Samsung redesigned the cooling system with a larger vapor chamber, and it seems to be doing real work. If this holds up in full reviews, thermal performance could end up being one of the quiet wins this generation.

Ports and small annoyances

My main gripe remains unchanged from last year. There are still no USB-C ports on the right side. Samsung says internal space was needed for the upgraded vapor chamber, which makes sense from an engineering standpoint, but it does impact desk ergonomics if you are constantly plugging accessories.

It is not a deal-breaker, but it is something buyers should be aware of, especially if your setup depends on right-side cable management.

AI features and Galaxy ecosystem perks

Samsung continues to push Galaxy AI across its laptops, with tighter integration between Galaxy phones and tablets. Multitasking workflows feel more seamless if you already live inside the Samsung ecosystem.

You also get Wi-Fi 7 support, faster device syncing, and smarter productivity features baked into the system. Some of this feels incremental, but when everything works together smoothly, it does save time in daily use.

Battery expectations

Samsung’s promising meaningful battery improvements this year. Faster charging and longer playback times are both part of the pitch. The new processors and improved thermal efficiency should also help stretch battery life in real-world use. Of course, we’ll need proper testing to see how this holds up because one can’t judge this aspect with hands-on, especially on the Galaxy Book 6 Ultra with dedicated graphics.

Early verdict

The Galaxy Book 6 Pro and Ultra feel like solid refinements rather than flashy reinventions. The biggest wins for me are the improved audio, excellent haptics that finally rival premium competitors, the brighter display, and better cooling. The trade-offs are clear, too. There’s still no right-side USB-C, which remains mildly annoying, and the numpad removal will split opinions.

Samsung expects the Galaxy Book 6 series to go on sale around the third week of March. Interested buyers can already reserve Galaxy Book 6 series, which currently include a $30 bonus credit. In select markets, Samsung will make the Galaxy Book 6 series available later this month.