It looks like Samsung is preparing to polish up its flagship formula once again. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra hasn’t been officially announced, but several leaks are starting to shape expectations. From what we’ve seen, the changes aren’t wild but they seem thoughtful. Samsung appears to be refining key areas like performance, design, and photography instead of reinventing the whole thing.
| Launch | |
| Announced | Not announced yet |
| Status | Rumored |
| Box Accessories | |
| Charger | 45W wired (no charger in box) |
| Handsfree | No |
| Cover | Not confirmed |
| Design | |
| Height | 163.0 mm |
| Width | 78.1 mm |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm |
| Buttons | Right: Power + Volume |
| Display | |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Size | 6.9″, ~90% screen-to-body ratio |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 pixels (~509 ppi) |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz adaptive |
| HDR | HDR10+ |
| Brightness | Peak ~2800 nits (rumored) |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Armor |
| Platform Specs | |
| OS | Android 16, One UI 8 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (3nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, up to 5.0 GHz (Oryon core) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 |
| Memory | |
| Card Slot | No |
| Internal | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM (UFS 4.0) |
| Back Cameras | |
| Main |
200 MP (f/1.4–f/4.0 variable), PDAF, OIS 50 MP periscope telephoto, 5x optical zoom 12 MP telephoto, 3x optical zoom 12 MP ultrawide, Super Steady video |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, HDR10+, Super HDR |
| Front Camera | |
| Main | 12 MP, f/2.2, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, HDR |
| Sound | |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers tuned by AKG |
| 3.5mm Jack | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7, tri-band |
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes |
| IR Port | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| Security | |
| Fingerprint | Ultrasonic under-display |
| Charging | 45W wired, 25W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Battery | |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000–5400 mAh (non-removable) |
| Charging | 45W wired, 25W wireless, 4.5W reverse |
| Misc | |
| Colors | Phantom Black, Titanium Gray, Light Blue, other options |
| Models | SM-S938U (rumored) |
| Price | Expected around $1299 / €1399 |
We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
Design: Minor Tweaks, but the Right Kind
If you’ve used the S25 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will likely feel familiar but not identical. Leaked renders hint at slightly slimmer bezels and an even cleaner rear camera layout. The titanium frame is sticking around, which I personally don’t mind it gives the phone a premium feel without adding bulk.
One leak that caught my eye? Rumors suggest the S Pen might not be stored inside the phone anymore. Instead, Samsung might go the magnetic route, like Apple’s iPad Pro. If that’s true, it’s probably going to divide fans. I like the convenience of the built-in silo, but hey less thickness could be worth the trade.
Display: Nothing But Ultra
Expect another high-end AMOLED panel here, likely with a QHD+ resolution and buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is said to maintain its brightness advantage while pushing even closer to edge-to-edge thanks to the thinner borders. If you’re someone who watches HDR content or games on the go, this display will likely be a showstopper once again.
Performance: Enter Snapdragon 8 Elite 2
The biggest leap might come under the hood. Samsung is expected to power the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 a cutting-edge 3nm chip rumored to hit clock speeds over 5GHz. It’s not just about raw power either. Paired with a larger vapor chamber and better thermal controls, the S26 Ultra could be a serious upgrade for gamers and heavy multitaskers.
Better yet, Samsung seems to be unifying RAM this year: 16GB across all models, even the base variant with 256GB storage.
Camera
Samsung isn’t overhauling the camera system and honestly, it doesn’t need to. Leaks suggest the 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor will return, but this time it could feature a variable aperture (f/1.4 to f/4.0), allowing more flexibility in different lighting conditions.
Zoom fans will appreciate the rumored dual-telephoto combo: a 50MP periscope lens (5x optical) alongside a 12MP 3x telephoto. Whether or not that’s a step up from the S25 Ultra will depend on processing and lens quality. An improved laser autofocus system and Samsung’s upgraded ProVisual engine could push image clarity and low-light shots to the next level.
Battery: A Small But Smart Shift
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is said to pack a battery between 5000 and 5400mAh, with fast charging still capped at 45W wired. It’s not a massive jump but the real story may be in the silicon-carbon battery tech Samsung is testing. This could increase energy density without increasing size, a huge win if true.
Software: Android 16 + Galaxy AI 2.0?
Out of the box, Android 16 with One UI 8 is expected, and Samsung will likely double down on its Galaxy AI features. Tools like Circle to Search, live translation, and AI photo editing will almost certainly get smarter and more tightly integrated.
Final Thoughts
If the leaks hold true, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra won’t be a revolutionary upgrade but it will be a smart, strategic one. Better thermal handling, a blazing-fast processor, more intelligent photography, and design refinements all point to a device focused on consistency, polish, and power.
For anyone holding onto an S22 or earlier, this might be the jump worth waiting for.
FAQs
Will the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra come with a charger in the box?
At this point, it’s unlikely. Based on Samsung’s recent trend, the S26 Ultra probably won’t include a charger in the box just a USB-C cable and the usual paperwork. You may want to keep your 45W charger from previous models if you’ve got one.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra getting a new design or just a refresh?
Leaks suggest it’s more of a refinement than a redesign. Expect a similar titanium frame and overall shape to the S25 Ultra, but with smaller bezels and a cleaner back. It’s not a radical change, but definitely a more polished version.
Will the Samsung S26 Ultra have the S Pen built into the body like before?
Rumors are mixed. Some sources say Samsung might ditch the internal S Pen slot and switch to a magnetic attachment instead like Apple does with iPads. If true, it could make the device slimmer but less convenient for stylus fans.
How powerful is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra going to be?
Very powerful. It’s expected to feature the new Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip with clock speeds over 5GHz, and all variants may get 16GB RAM. That makes it a serious upgrade for multitasking, gaming, and future-proofing.
Will the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra camera be better than the S25 Ultra?
Most likely, yes but not dramatically. The 200MP main sensor is expected to return, possibly with a variable aperture this time. Improvements will probably come from smarter processing and tweaks to zoom performance, not massive hardware changes.
What’s the expected battery size and charging speed?
Battery leaks point to a 5000–5400mAh cell, depending on the model, with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. It’s not groundbreaking, but there’s talk of silicon-carbon battery tech, which could allow longer life in the same size.
Will it run Android 16 out of the box?
Yes. Samsung is expected to launch the S26 Ultra with Android 16 and One UI 8, including all the latest Galaxy AI tools like Circle to Search, live call translation, and more.
How much will the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cost?
No confirmed pricing yet, but it’ll likely start around $1199 USD, similar to the S25 Ultra. The price could go up if major hardware upgrades (like the new battery tech or UDC) are confirmed.
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