Introduction
When I first heard about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, I couldn’t help but think how far the Galaxy S series has come since the Galaxy S3 back in 2019, and every launch of these phones—from the S24 that arrived on January 31 to the S25 on February 7—felt like a glimpse into the future of handsets; based on rumors and plans, the company might push the release date a bit back to March (or even march) instead of the usual January or February events, with some sources suggesting Galaxy Unpacked could happen on February 25, just weeks ahead of the final release day.
(Recall earlier dates like May 29 or March 6 when Samsung’s timing shifted), and if the scrapping of the Galaxy S26 Edge is true it would reshape the lineup, so I expect the S26 to fit into stores and shelves once it lands in stores — this strategy keeps the trending momentum earlier models built and makes the next phone release feel both familiar and surprising.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Design
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be one of the most exciting phones of the year. While it keeps the classic Galaxy Ultra feel, subtle changes in its design make it stand out. Based on leaked mockups and insights from tipster Ice Universe, this phone will likely be thinner, measuring between 7 and 8mm, slightly slimmer than the S25 Ultra which was 0.32 inches or 8.1 mm thick. These small adjustments in width and height might seem minor, but they create a sleeker, more comfortable grip. Personally, I love how Samsung manages to refine its style points each year without losing the premium touch.
Refined Aesthetics and Camera Design
The Galaxy S26 Ultra also brings smoother curves and more rounded corners, giving it a modern edge—almost an iPhone vibe but still distinctively Galaxy. The leaked image by leaker Tarun Vats highlights a raised camera compartment, adding both elegance and dimension. As someone who values a good camera build, I find this upgrade impressive—it feels more professional and well-balanced in the hand.
S Pen and Under-Screen Innovation
There were early rumors from leaker PandaFlashPro that Samsung might be removing the S Pen digitizer, which handles pressure sensitivity and hovering options. Thankfully, after some test results left the company dissatisfied, those plans were dropped, meaning S Pen support will remain safe in the new Galaxy S26 Ultra models.
Meanwhile, Korean leaker Kro suggested that the device could feature an under-screen camera, removing the hole-punch cutout seen since 2019. Inspired by the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 4MP under-screen camera, this could be a big difference in how future Samsung handsets look. If true, it shows that Samsung isn’t afraid to reshape its non-folding lineup, blending innovation with style—something every Ultra fan can admire, even with a pinch of salt.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Display
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to deliver one of the best screens in the market. It’s expected to come with a 6.9-inch AMOLED panel, featuring CoE depolarizer technology and third-generation anti-reflective glass, according to Ice Universe. Reports from ET News also suggest the Ultra will use M14 screen materials, offering a brighter display and improved color reproduction. Compared to the S25 Ultra, which already had a sharp display perfect for watching videos, the S26 Ultra could reduce reflections and improve visibility in brighter environments or outdoors. From the leaked specs, it looks like Samsung is focusing on both beauty and functionality in this screen.
Brightness and Testing
In testing, the S25 Ultra reached a peak brightness of 1,860 nits, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL hit 2,555 nits, showing Samsung has room to improve. The S26 Ultra is rumored to boost brightness further, making it one of the brightest screens among Android rivals.
Privacy and Smart Features
The Ultra’s screen may also include a privacy feature using software to limit visibility from side angles, called Flex Magic, helping prevent others from snooping on your phone. With these upgrades, the S26 Ultra offers a combination of stunning display, enhanced brightness, and smart privacy—even giving the iPhone 17 a run for its money.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to bring some impressive camera upgrades, according to Ice Universe and FlashPandaPro. The main sensor is expected to use a 200MP f/1.4 aperture, building on what we saw in previous generation phones like the S25 Ultra, and even earlier models such as the Galaxy S10 from 2018.
This variable rate aperture and virtual aperture control should allow more light to enter, improving picture quality in low-light situations while reducing noise. For telephoto shots, Samsung might include a 12MP sensor for the 3x snapper, with a laser AF sensor for faster focusing speeds, supported by a next-gen ProVisual Engine for enhanced image processing.
The 1/2.52″ 0.7μm 50MP telephoto sensor may carry over from the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra, and possibly influence the S27 Ultra, keeping the trend consistent. As someone who enjoys mobile photography, these upgrades suggest that the S26 Ultra could capture stunning images in almost any scenario, blending innovation and reliability in a Samsung phone.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to deliver top-notch performance, making it one of the most powerful flagships in the Galaxy series. According to executives, the S26 Ultra will focus on AI, cameras, and overall performance, grabbing the most attention from tech enthusiasts. For the processor, Samsung might use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, announced by Qualcomm in the fall, which promises major improvements in AI, camera features, and overall speed compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Some rumors also suggest certain markets may see the Exynos 2600 chipset, continuing Samsung’s trend of using Exynos chips in select countries while others get Qualcomm Snapdragon silicon like in the U.S.
Memory, Storage, and AI Boost
The S26 Ultra could come with 16GB RAM, up from 12GB on its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, according to Macquarie Research, which would help meet growing AI memory requirements. Samsung is also expected to integrate Galaxy AI with Perplexity in the Bing digital assistant, enhancing smart performance and user experience. In terms of storage, the device will likely offer 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB capacity, ensuring enough space for apps, media, and advanced AI features. For anyone who values smooth, fast, and intelligent performance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra looks set to deliver on all fronts.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Battery
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to keep a reliable 5,000mAh battery capacity, just like the Galaxy S20 Ultra from 2020, though there are rumors about a possible 5,400mAh cell according to leaked specs on Telegram. While Samsung has explored silicon-carbon batteries to fit more capacity into the same space, it seems the company is focusing on maintaining power without changing the footprint.
Sources like Galaxy Club and Ice Universe confirm that the 5,000mAh battery will likely stay for another year, supported by Korean Newsis. For faster charging, the One UI 8.5 code hints at charging speeds jumping to 60W, an improvement of 15W over the 45W of the S25 Ultra, which means users can expect quicker top-ups for all-day power.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Outlook
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be one of the best phones of 2026, and many flagship owners are already considering whether the price of an upgrade is worth it. With the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and enhanced RAM, the performance looks impressive, especially for photography enthusiasts. Even though some improvements seem incremental, a few upgrades could make this phone stand out. As we wait the next months for the official launch in spring, the anticipated launch of the S26 Ultra is already creating buzz, promising a flagship experience that combines power, speed, and advanced features in one Galaxy device.
