Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Everything We Know So Far

It’s that time of the year again; bells are jingling, hymns are filling the air, Christmas cheer is tangible, and you’ve listened to All I Want for Christmas more times than you’re willing to admit. In the midst of all that, Samsung is gearing up to launch its upcoming latest and greatest, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, in early 2026.

This article will cover everything we know about the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra; every credible leak, rumor, and confirmation. Without further ado, let’s get right into it.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Release Date

Currently, there is no official date for Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Unpacked event, but leaks from credible tipsters have claimed that the S26 series will release in January, not February, as stated by earlier rumors.

They went further to say that the S26 Series will be released on January 21st, 2026, with shipping of devices starting mid-February 2026. For context, the S25 series was released a day later, on January 22nd, 2025.  

As I said, this isn’t confirmed by Samsung yet and is still subject to change.

Samsung S26 Ultra Display Leaks

The biggest rumored feature we’ve gotten so far for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is an all-new built-in privacy screen that you can turn on and off. According to the leak, it’s called Flex Magic Pixel technology and uses AI to control and adjust each individual pixel’s viewing angle to give the same effect as installing a privacy screen protector. This is one I personally hope is true because it’ll be such a nice feature to have, especially at the press of a button.

Another major update that’s rumored to come to the display of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is higher peak brightness at 3000 nits from 2600 nits on the S25 Ultra. This will make for a better viewing experience under direct sunlight, in other words, easier texting while walking to the store.

Other Samsung S26 Ultra display leaks suggest that Samsung is using newer, more advanced display tech, which produces more accurate colors and, more importantly, consumes way less power.

Samsung S26 Ultra Performance Leaks

There isn’t much to say in the performance aspect of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra because it’s pretty much confirmed that the device will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, albeit an overclocked Galaxy exclusive version.

The normal Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has already been out for a few months, so we know how well it performs, and compared to last year’s 8 Elite on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, it’s a very noticeable leap. See the compared figures below.

Since the S26 Ultra will be getting an exclusive overclocked version, we can say for sure that it’ll surpass these figures.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Battery and Charging Rumors

So far, we’ve got some interesting leaks about the S26 Ultra battery and charging.

Starting with the one I’m personally more excited for. Finally, it looks all but confirmed that the S26 Ultra will support faster 60W wired charging and also fast 25W wireless charging with full Qi2.2 compatibility. A recent One UI 8.5 build was even spotted with what looks like the supporting code!

For the battery, we might finally see an increase in capacity. Rumors say the battery capacity is going to be between 5200 and 5400 mAh. Slight, yes, but still a welcome improvement after so many years.

Samsung S26 Ultra Camera Upgrades

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra looks set to continue that tradition with some solid upgrades based on current leaks.

First, the main camera is reportedly getting a new 200MP sensor with a wider f/1.4 aperture, a noticeable improvement over last year’s sensor. According to early leak details, this upgrade allows for a 47% increase in light intake compared to the S25 Ultra. In simple terms: brighter photos, richer detail, and far better performance in those tricky low-light or indoor scenarios.

The phone is also expected to shoot in 24MP by default (instead of 12MP), which should give you sharper, more detailed everyday shots without you having to switch modes manually.

The selfie camera is seeing some changes, too. A leak hints at a wider field-of-view selfie camera, allowing you to fit more people or more background into your shots without awkward stretching or stepping back (especially useful during holiday selfies).

Samsung S26 Ultra Design & Build Leaks

According to the CAD leaks and renders, the design and build of the S26 Ultra are similar to that of its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra. But you will be able to easily tell them apart thanks to the new vertical camera island. Apart from that, it’s nearly identical.

Also, leaked dimensions of the S26 Ultra show that the device is going to be thinner and lighter without any sacrifice to battery life or the S Pen. The S26 Ultra will be 7.9mm thick and weigh 214 grams, compared to 8.2mm and 218 grams on the S25 Ultra.

Lastly, it’s been confirmed that Samsung is sticking to Titanium frames and not following Apple’s jump to Aluminium.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra colors

• Black
• White
• Silver
• Purple

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Rumored Specs

With everything we know so far here’s how the rumored spec sheet of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra looks

How to Sell Your Used Phone for the Most Money

If the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra has you thinking about upgrading and selling your current phone, you’re definitely not the only one. Upgrading is exciting, but figuring out where to sell your phone and actually get a good payout can be the real headache.

That’s where The Whiz Cells comes in. Instead of dealing with marketplace stress, random messages, unserious buyers, price back-and-forth, or worrying about getting scammed, The Whiz Cells gives you a quick, safe, no-drama way to make the most money when selling your old phone.

You check your device, get an instant quote, ship it for free, and get paid fast (within 24 hours of receiving your device). Simple, clean, and without all the noise. Here’s how the process works:

How to Sell Your Phone to WhizCell

• Go to TheWhizCells.com.
• Search for your device.
• Select your device details: carrier (network status), storage, condition, and whether or not the device is paid off.
• Receive your offer and click checkout.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

The whole process takes less than 2 minutes, and you’ll receive your payout within 24 hours of us receiving your device!

FAQs on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra out?

No, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has not been officially released yet. Based on credible leaks, Samsung is expected to launch the S26 series in January 2026, but this has not been confirmed by Samsung.

What camera specs are leaked on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Leaks suggest the S26 Ultra will feature:

• A 200MP main camera with a wider f/1.4 aperture
• Up to 47% better light intake than the S25 Ultra
• 24MP default photo output for sharper everyday shots
• A wider field-of-view selfie camera for better group selfies

Will the Galaxy S26 Ultra have an S Pen?

Yes. Current leaks confirm that Samsung will continue to support the built-in S Pen, with no reduction in functionality or battery size to accommodate it.

What is different about the Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Key rumored differences include:

• A new vertical camera island design
• Thinner and lighter body
• Improved display brightness (up to 3000 nits)
• An AI-powered built-in privacy screen
• Faster 60W wired and 25W wireless charging
• Camera sensor upgrades for better low-light photography

How does the Galaxy S26 Ultra compare to the S25 Ultra?

Compared to the S25 Ultra, the S26 Ultra is expected to be:

• Thinner (7.9 mm vs. 8.2 mm)
• Lighter (214g vs 218g)
• Brighter display (3000 nits vs 2600 nits)
• Faster charging
• Improved camera sensor and processing
• More power-efficient display technology

Will the Galaxy S26 Ultra be thinner?

Yes. Leaked dimensions show the Galaxy S26 Ultra measuring 7.9 mm thick, making it thinner than the S25 Ultra without sacrificing battery size or S Pen support.

What does the Galaxy S26 Ultra look like?

Based on CAD renders, the S26 Ultra looks very similar to the S25 Ultra, with the biggest visual change being a new vertical camera island.

What processor will the Galaxy S26 Ultra use?

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to run an overclocked, Galaxy-exclusive Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, offering better performance than the standard version used in other Android flagships.