
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is the most anticipated phone from Samsung, just like every year. Each year, people focus on what new features Samsung brings — how much the camera has improved, how the build quality looks, the performance of the processor, and the battery life. There is always a lot of curiosity around these updates.
Release Date
Samsung usually launches its S-series phones at the beginning of the year, typically in early February, to maintain a strong market presence. However, this year, reports suggest that the company may release the S26 series toward the end of 2025. Some rumors indicate that Samsung could hold the launch event in early February, followed by the start of pre-orders shortly after.
Design and Build
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to retain its signature design, featuring slimmer bezels and a more premium titanium frame. Some rumors suggest that the rear camera may be replaceable. The device is also rumored to sport a 6.9-inch display and weigh around 220 grams (7.76 ounces)
Display & Resolution
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is expected to have a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1440×3120 pixels (QHD+) and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. The screen will feature a 120Hz refresh rate and a brightness of up to 2600 nits. It is expected that in most aspects, it will be similar to the S25.
Performance & Hardware
It is expected that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, featuring a 3nm fabrication process, an Adreno 830 GPU, and a 12-core CPU. The device is also rumored to have a 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging, capable of reaching 65% in 30 minutes, along with 25W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. While similar to the S25 in many aspects, improvements are expected with the new updates.
Camera Features of S26 Ultra
It is expected that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature a 200 MP f/1.7 wide-angle primary camera, a 10 MP f/2.4 telephoto camera, a 50 MP f/3.4 periscope telephoto camera, and a 50 MP f/1.9 ultra-wide-angle camera. This setup will be similar to the S25 but with some improvements in certain areas. For the front camera, the device is expected to have a 12 MP f/2.2 wide-angle lens, the same as the S25.
Software & UI
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to launch with Android 16, featuring Samsung’s new One UI 8.1. Later, it is expected to be upgraded to Android 17, which should provide a better experience compared to the S25 Ultra and introduce many new features, offering users a fresh and enhanced experience
Game-Changing Features / Rumors
It is expected that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will come with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, the world’s fastest processor, providing a much better gaming experience compared to other chipsets. Along with Samsung’s optimized UI, the device is expected to deliver an even smoother user experience. It will also support Wi-Fi 7 and 5G enhancements, offering additional advantages for gaming.
Price & Variants
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to be priced at around $1,289 USD, the same as the S25 Ultra. This suggests that the pricing of the S26 will remain unchanged. However, the final cost may vary depending on the country, region, or specific variant. Still, it is expected that consumers will get a fair price for the S26 as a new flagship device.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to come with several key features that set it apart from other phones. These include a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 1–120Hz LTPO, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 processor, and Android 16 with One UI 8.1 (upgradeable to Android 17). With its unique combination of display, battery, processor, and camera improvements, the S26 Ultra is anticipated to be one of the best upcoming phones in 2026.