With Samsung’s latest foldables already making waves, attention is quickly shifting to what’s next—namely, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected to arrive in early 2026. Thanks to a steady drip of leaks, including a fresh one from the ever-reliable @UniverseIce, we now have a much clearer idea of what to expect from Samsung’s upcoming flagship. And if the leaks hold true, the Galaxy S26 Ultra isn’t just an upgrade. It’s shaping up to be a rethink.
A Leaner, Lighter Ultra
First up: the form factor. The Galaxy S26 Ultra will reportedly shed some thickness, coming in at just 7.x mm. That’s slimmer than its predecessor and—according to the leak—slightly taller and wider, yet somehow lighter in hand. That last part may seem small, but in daily use, it could make a real difference.
Display: Brighter, Sharper, Clearer
The S26 Ultra is said to sport a 6.9-inch display, but this isn’t just about size. Samsung is apparently introducing CoE depolarizer tech and a third-generation anti-reflective glass. Both are aimed at boosting visibility, especially outdoors. If you’ve ever tried checking your phone under direct sunlight, you know this kind of change can be game-changing.
Camera: Samsung’s Real Focus
Cameras have always been the Galaxy Ultra’s bread and butter, and the S26 Ultra seems poised to raise the bar once again.
This time, Samsung will use a new HP2 sensor, likely tuned for 2026’s imaging standards, and—crucially—it’ll feature a larger aperture for better low-light performance. Also in the mix: a revamped 3x zoom lens and a wider aperture 5x telephoto camera, both designed to deliver sharper shots across lighting conditions and distances. This doesn’t sound like incremental change—it sounds like a meaningful camera overhaul.
Under the Hood: Elite Processing Power
Performance-wise, the S26 Ultra is expected to run on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite2 for Galaxy, clocking in at up to 4.74GHz. There’s also talk of an Exynos 2600 variant being tested for select markets, though Samsung hasn’t confirmed region-specific configurations yet.
Despite all the added muscle, the battery will stay at 5000mAh, but charging speeds are getting a bump—to 60W. That’s a welcome speed boost and puts Samsung back in the fast-charging conversation.
Software and One UI
Out of the box, the S26 Ultra will run One UI 8.5, layered over Android 16. While exact software features remain under wraps, Samsung usually debuts new AI enhancements, camera tricks, and customization tools with each major release. Expect nothing less this time.
What’s Not Official (Yet)
As with any leak, there’s always room for skepticism. Samsung hasn’t confirmed any details about the Galaxy S26 lineup yet, and much could change between now and launch. Still, given the source and Samsung’s track record, most of these upgrades seem likely.
Either way, the Ultra title may still mean something in 2026—if Samsung delivers.
