The Galaxy S26 Ultra Is Coming, Here’s What’s Exciting (and What’s Not)

The Samsung Galaxy S series has long been an iconic phone series in the Android world, and every year, anticipation around the next Ultra release builds like clockwork. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is currently one of the most powerful Android phones you can use. But now, all eyes are on the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra.

While we’re still waiting for its official release, leaked specs and early whispers paint a pretty clear picture of what’s to come. And let’s just say it’s mostly impressive, with a few surprising red flags.

If you’re a long-time Samsung user or simply curious about the next big thing in mobile tech, here’s a detailed, easy-to-understand breakdown of what the Galaxy S26 Ultra will likely bring.

Design and Display: Sleek, Sturdy, and Seriously Bright

The S26 Ultra is a large phone, but it’s elegantly built. At 162.1 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm, it’s slim enough to hold in one hand (just about), but large enough to enjoy every inch of its 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2x screen. That’s a fancy way of saying the screen is bright, buttery-smooth, and ultra-responsive.

The peak brightness hits 2600 nits, which is absurdly good, and your screen will be visible even in direct sunlight. It also supports HDR10+, which means video streaming on Netflix, YouTube or Disney+ will look more lifelike than ever. The ~93.3% screen-to-body ratio makes it feel almost all screen, with barely any bezels.

Power and Performance

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is built on the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip, using a 3nm process. In non-tech English, it’s faster, more energy-efficient, and better at handling multitasking than previous models.

It sports an Octa-core CPU setup, including a powerful 3.3GHz Cortex-X4 core for performance and efficiency optimization. Paired with the Adreno 780 GPU, this phone will easily glide through high-end games, heavy apps, or 4K video editing without sweat.

It has 512GB or 1TB of internal memory and 12GB or 16GB of RAM. So essentially, it’s like carrying a mini computer in your pocket. But bear in mind that there’s no microSD slot, so what you buy is what you’re stuck with.

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Build: Premium Glass and Aluminium Finish

The phone’s exterior, crafted with Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back and held together by a tough aluminium frame, matches its premium price tag. 

Software: Android 16, Polished and Smart

Out of the box, the S26 Ultra will run Android 16, the latest and most advanced version of Google’s operating system. Expect smarter notifications, better privacy controls, AI-powered features, and a fluid user experience.

Samsung’s own UI (likely One UI 7) adds extra polish and helpful tools like multitasking pop-ups and stylus integration (that is, if they continue with the S Pen support from past Ultra models).

Camera System: A Photographer’s Dream

Now for the star of the show: the camera setup. The S26 Ultra is fitted with a quad rear camera system:

• 200MP main camera: Yes, you read that right. It captures an insane amount of detail, making zoomed-in shots and crops look sharp.
  

• 16MP periscope telephoto lens (5x zoom): Great for faraway subjects which will come in handy during concerts or for wildlife shots.
  

• 12MP telephoto lens (3x zoom): Excellent for portraits and mid-range zoom.
  

• 5MP ultrawide lens (120˚ view): Perfect for landscapes or group shots.

The camera includes Laser autofocus, optical image stabilisation (OIS) for steady shots, and Super Steady video. You can shoot in 8K video, or if that’s too intense, enjoy 4K at up to 120fps or super slow-motion at 960fps.

On the front, there’s a sharp 64MP selfie camera which is a big step up from most smartphones. It supports 4K video, too, so your selfies and video calls will look top-tier.

That said, there’s been talk about Samsung experimenting again with under-display cameras, a concept they’ve tried in their Galaxy Z Fold series. While it sounds futuristic, under-display cameras tend to underperform compared to regular punch-hole cameras. So, if that tech makes it into the S26 Ultra, we’re cautiously optimistic at best.

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Battery and Charging: All-Day Power

Inside, there’s a 5000mAh battery, which should easily last a full day, even with heavy use. While charging speed hasn’t been detailed yet, expect fast and wireless charging support in line with Samsung’s usual standards.

Connectivity: Everything You’d Expect and More

The S26 Ultra supports all major network types including 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G (both SA and NSA), meaning you’re covered no matter where you are. It also supports:

• Wi-Fi 7: Future-proof for super-fast internet

• Bluetooth 5.5

• USB Type-C 3.3 (the latest for fast charging and data transfer)

• NFC for contactless payments

• GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO for accurate location tracking

• There’s no headphone jack (sadly, not surprising anymore), and no FM radio either.

Software: Fresh, Fast and Feature-Packed

Running on Android 16, the S26 Ultra will benefit from Google’s latest OS enhancements, including better privacy, smarter notifications, and improved AI features. Samsung’s own One UI will likely build on this with its usual suite of multitasking tools, custom themes, and S Pen support (if retained from the S25 Ultra).

Connectivity: Future-Proof and Fully Loaded

As expected, the Galaxy S26 Ultra supports every major network standard: 2G, 3G, 4G, and blazing-fast 5G (both SA and NSA). You also get:

• Wi-Fi 7 support (that’s the next-gen standard which is faster and more reliable)

• Bluetooth 5.5

• NFC for contactless payments

• USB-C 3.3, which means faster charging and data transfers

It’s missing a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio, but that’s par for the course these days.

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Battery: Great Capacity, But Still Disappointing

The S26 Ultra packs a 5000mAh battery, which sounds decent on paper but in real-world use, it’s a bit underwhelming, especially when compared to the OnePlus 12’s 5400mAh battery or the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro’s 6000mAh powerhouse. These competing Androids have noticeably longer screen-on time.

While the 5000mAh unit is fine for average use, heavy users might reach for the charger before the day ends, especially when pushing brightness and performance to the max. Fast charging is expected (though not officially detailed), and wireless charging is likely too, but Samsung could’ve gone bolder here.

Security & Sensors: The Usual All-Rounders

Security is handled via an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the screen, and you’ll find all the expected sensors onboard: accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass, barometer, and more. If Samsung continues the S Pen integration, expect even more productivity features like note-taking and screen markup.

Price and Colours: Premium All the Way

Available in Titanium Black, Grey, Violet, and Yellow, the S26 Ultra continues Samsung’s love for muted metallic tones.

This is firmly a premium phone, and Samsung is positioning it for users who want the absolute best; be it for photography, productivity, or prestige. Price: $1,067 (Samsung Galaxy S25). Where To Buy: Shop Amazon.

A Phone with Firepower (But Not Without Flaws)

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra looks poised to carry the Galaxy name forward with pride. It’s built like a tank, has cameras that could rival DSLRs, and has the kind of speed and display quality that makes it a joy to use.

But it’s also not perfect. The battery life lags behind newer competitors, and the possibility of an underwhelming under-display camera is still a concern. For most people, though, this will be one of the best phones money can buy. Don’t expect it to last two full days on a single charge.

Still, if you want a top-of-the-line Android with few compromises, the S26 Ultra is shaping up to be one of the year's biggest releases.