Samsung is preparing to launch its new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is set to lead the Galaxy S26 line-up in 2026. The device is being positioned as one of the main contenders for the title of best smartphone of the year, and there have already been numerous leaks online about its specifications, design and possible pricing.
According to preliminary information, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature a 6.9-inch AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or Exynos 2600 processor (depending on the market), 12 GB of RAM and storage options of 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB. The main camera is said to retain a resolution of 200 MP but with an f/1.4 aperture, which should let in up to 47% more light compared with its predecessor, and will be complemented by a 50 MP ultra-wide module, a 12 MP telephoto with 3x zoom and a 50 MP telephoto with 5x zoom. The front camera is expected to be 12 MP.
Samsung has already announced a Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on 25 February. Traditionally, the flagships go on sale roughly two weeks after the presentation, so the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to be released shortly after this date. Final prices have not yet been set. For comparison, the Galaxy S25 Ultra started at 1,299 US dollars, and a number of rumours suggest that due to rising memory costs, prices for the S26 series models may increase in some markets, although some reports indicate that the Ultra itself may retain its previous price level.
No major design revolution is expected, but leaks point to a slimmer body (around 7–8 mm) and more rounded corners, making the phone’s silhouette more reminiscent of the latest iPhones. The renders also show a more pronounced camera array. There is also talk of simplifying the S Pen stylus experience by dropping some functions, although other leaks confirm that S Pen support will be retained in the Ultra version.
As for colours, insiders mention Black Shadow, White Shadow, Galactial Blue and Ultraviolet. Some sources suggest that certain shades may be exclusive to Samsung’s official online shop, and do not rule out the appearance of limited editions in silver or gold finishes. At the same time, the absence of the word “Titanium” in the colour names has fuelled speculation that the company may abandon the titanium frame used in previous Ultra generations.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s screen is rumoured to keep its 6.9-inch diagonal but gain new technologies: a CoE depolarizer, M14 materials and third-generation anti-reflective glass. This should provide higher brightness and better colour reproduction, as well as reduce glare when using the phone outdoors. A software feature called “Flex Magic” or Privacy Display is also mentioned, which will limit the viewing angle so that people nearby cannot see what is on the screen.
The cameras remain one of the Ultra’s key selling points. In addition to the brighter main module already mentioned, leaks point to an updated 12 MP sensor for the 3x telephoto, a new laser autofocus system for faster focusing, and an improved ProVisual Engine image-processing pipeline. There is also talk of changing the default resolution of photos from the main camera from 12 to 24 MP, which should provide more detail without a sharp increase in file size. Samsung has already released several promo videos hinting at improved zoom and better low-light camera performance.
In terms of performance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is targeting the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, which, according to tests, significantly outperforms the previous generation in speed and AI capabilities. At the same time, a number of reports indicate that in some countries Samsung may use its own Exynos 2600 processor, returning to the practice of splitting markets by chipset type. An increase in RAM to 16 GB in the top configurations is also expected, which is being linked to the growing demands of AI features.
Among other possible innovations are support for satellite messaging, confirmed by FCC documents for the US version of the device, as well as expanded Galaxy AI capabilities. There have even been rumours online about integrating the Perplexity service into Samsung’s own voice assistant, as well as about exclusive AI features specifically for the S26 Ultra model, although previously Samsung has tried to make new AI capabilities available across the entire line-up.
According to most leaks, the battery capacity will remain at 5,000 mAh, as in previous Ultra generations. However, some sources mention a possible variant with a 5,400 mAh battery. The main changes are expected in charging speed: references in the One UI 8.5 firmware indicate support for wired charging of up to 60 W instead of 45 W in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. There are also reports of faster 25 W wireless charging and full support for the Qi2 standard with magnetic accessory attachment.
Overall, analysts and insiders expect the Galaxy S26 Ultra to deliver noticeable improvements in performance, display, cameras and charging, although some of the changes will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. A final judgement on whether it is worth upgrading will only be possible after the official presentation and the start of sales, when Samsung reveals all the specifications, software features and pricing for the new line-up.