Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Rumours: New Design, Faster Charging, and a Delayed March Launch
Samsung fans are already looking ahead to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is expected to arrive in early 2026 as the brand’s next flagship smartphone. While Samsung has not officially revealed any details, a steady stream of leaks and reports over the past few months has begun to outline what the Galaxy S26 series — especially the Ultra model — could bring in terms of display upgrades, performance gains, camera refinements, and battery improvements.
Early in development, the company was reportedly exploring a revised lineup that included a new “Pro” variant and an Edge model. However, the latest report suggests that those plans have been scrapped following the underwhelming performance of the Galaxy S25 Edge and shifting market conditions. Samsung will return to a more familiar three-model lineup: the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, with a Fan Edition potentially arriving later.
Display
Leaks suggest that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature a large 6.9-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, with one report pointing to the new M14 OLED panel. This upgraded panel is said to be more power-efficient than previous generations. While exact brightness figures remain unconfirmed, the emphasis appears to be on better efficiency rather than a dramatic increase in peak brightness.
The screen size itself is not expected to change dramatically from the previous generation, but minor refinements to bezels and panel efficiency could still make a noticeable difference in daily use.
Performance and Chipset Upgrades
On the performance front, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is widely expected to use Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, customised under Samsung’s “For Galaxy” branding. The chip is reportedly being built on a 2nm process, which should bring meaningful improvements in both raw performance and power efficiency. Unlike the base Galaxy S26 and S26+, which Toms Guide says may use Samsung’s Exynos 2600 chipset in select markets, the Ultra model is expected to ship globally with the Snapdragon processor.
Memory configurations remain a point of debate among leakers. Some reports suggest Samsung may move to 16GB of RAM as standard across the S26 lineup, while others claim the phones will still start at 12GB. Software will play a major role in Samsung’s pitch this year. The Galaxy S26 series is expected to ship with Android 16 and One UI 8 or 8.5 out of the box, bringing more AI-powered features, deeper personalisation, and improved productivity tools. There are also reports that Samsung is exploring deeper integration with third-party AI services, including Perplexity, alongside Google’s Gemini..
Camera Enhancements
Camera rumours suggest Samsung is taking a more conservative approach with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The phone is expected to retain a 200MP main camera, continuing the trend set by recent Ultra models. However, the sensor may feature a wider aperture, potentially around f/1.4, which could improve low-light photography and overall image clarity.
As a result, telephoto performance is also expected to see refinements. Leaks point to improved image quality at 3x and 5x zoom levels, likely through software optimisation and sensor tuning rather than entirely new hardware. While there have been isolated rumours of a much higher-resolution main camera, these claims are generally viewed as unlikely at this stage.
Samsung may also introduce new shooting modes or resolution options, including a rumoured 24MP mode. If accurate, this feature would reportedly be exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series and not available on older devices, even those with similar camera hardware.
Battery and Charging
Reports suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra could feature a larger battery, with capacity estimates ranging from around 5,100mAh to as high as 5,400mAh. Unfortunately, there’s no news about the company using the new silicon-carbon tech. Charging upgrades are also expected. Multiple leakers claim Samsung may finally increase wired charging speeds on the Ultra model from 45W to 60W. Samsung has reportedly already begun listing compatible 60W chargers, lending credibility to these claims.
Wireless charging could change as well, with the Galaxy S26 series expected to support Qi2 charging. Leaked dummy units suggest Samsung may add magnetic rings to the back of the phone, enabling better alignment with Qi2 chargers and accessories.
Price and Launch
Early reports initially pointed to a February 25, 2026, launch event for the Galaxy S26 series, but more recent information suggests Samsung’s flagship release may be delayed. According to reports from Dealabs and other sources, Samsung could host its Unpacked event in late February, with devices going on sale around March 11 in key markets including the US, Europe, and South Korea.
Pricing remains uncertain, especially amid reports of rising component costs and memory shortages. Some sources claim Samsung will attempt to keep prices stable to remain competitive with Apple, while others suggest a price increase of around $40 to $60 per model. This could push the Galaxy S26 Ultra closer to the $1,350 mark in certain configurations, depending on storage and regional pricing strategies.
