With the year drawing to a close, leaks and rumors about next-generation flagship phones are intensifying—especially around Samsung’s Galaxy S line, which the company typically unveils at the start of each year.
Recent chatter suggests the Galaxy S26 lineup could arrive slightly later than in previous years. Even so, expectations still point to an announcement in the first quarter of 2026, with January or February seen as the most likely launch window. The rumored family includes Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and the top-tier Galaxy S26 Ultra.
As usual, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be the most advanced model in the series. Leaks have increasingly highlighted potential upgrades across the board—ranging from more sophisticated display technology and full Qi2 wireless charging support with built-in magnets, to notable camera improvements and performance gains.
Design: Subtle Refinements and a More Pronounced Camera Ring
Samsung’s Ultra phones spent years leaning on a design language reminiscent of the Galaxy Note 20. That began to shift more noticeably with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which adopted flatter edges and more rounded corners.
For the Galaxy S26 Ultra, leaks point to another round of adjustments—particularly around the rear camera housing. The camera lens frame is expected to protrude more, echoing the visual direction of the Galaxy S25 Edge.
Several leaked details also hint at a softer overall silhouette. Images of leaked screen protectors suggest corners may be even more rounded than the previous generation. There are also claims that Samsung could shave roughly 0.4mm off the thickness compared with the S25 Ultra, while keeping the device at nearly the same weight.
Color options may also expand. Rumors indicate Samsung is preparing a new orange color, which has reportedly appeared in leaked prototype units.
Display: CoE OLED, AI-Controlled Viewing Angles, and 3,000 Nits
One of the most talked-about rumored upgrades for the Galaxy S26 Ultra is its display. The latest speculation points to a more advanced CoE OLED panel, where the color filter layer is integrated directly into the panel. The promise: clearer, more vivid visuals while improving power efficiency—an increasingly important goal as screens get brighter and more feature-rich.
Another intriguing rumor revolves around Flex Magic Pixel OLED. The concept is that AI could dynamically manage viewing angles, potentially enabling a “privacy mode” that reduces off-angle visibility without sacrificing brightness or overall image quality. This idea gained additional traction after leaks from test builds of One UI 8.5 reportedly included a feature option labeled “Privacy Display.”
In terms of brightness, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to reach up to 3000 nits at peak. Screen size is also rumored to remain at 6.9 inches, matching the current model.
Camera: 200MP Main Sensor Rumors, Variable Aperture Talk, and a Wider Selfie View
Leaks about smartphone cameras tend to shift frequently, but current reporting outlines a familiar Ultra-style setup with a few potential headline changes. Here are the main camera specs rumored for the Galaxy S26 Ultra:
- 200-megapixel main rear camera.
- 50-megapixel ultra-wide rear camera.
- 50-megapixel telephoto camera with up to 5× optical zoom.
- 12-megapixel front camera with a wider field of view than the previous generation.
According to the latest information referenced in leaks, the telephoto camera may remain unchanged versus the previous model, keeping the same 50-megapixel sensor and related specifications.
The main camera, however, is where rumors become more ambitious. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is said to be in line for an all-new 200-megapixel Sony sensor sized at 1/1.1 inches—compared with a 1/1.3-inch sensor in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. While that difference may sound minor on paper, a larger sensor typically captures more light, which can improve low-light performance and deliver more natural background blur (bokeh) even without relying on Portrait mode.
There is also renewed talk of variable aperture making a comeback. Some leaks suggest Samsung could revive the feature last seen on the Galaxy S9 in 2018, where the phone could switch between F1.5 and F2.4 depending on lighting conditions. Other rumors, however, point instead to a single wider aperture, possibly reaching F1.4.
On the front, the selfie camera is expected to expand its field of view from 80 degrees to 85 degrees. That would allow more people or more background in the frame—useful for group selfies and tighter indoor shots.
Video performance is also emerging as a key focus area. While Galaxy S Ultra devices have performed strongly in still photography tests over the last two years, Samsung is still widely viewed as trailing Apple on cinematic effects, stabilization, and audio quality. Leaks suggest Samsung may devote additional attention to video capture on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, though exact feature changes have not been confirmed.
Processor and Memory: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (and Possibly Exynos 2600)
On performance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Some regions may receive a version powered by Exynos 2600, following Samsung’s pattern of offering different chips in different markets.
Leaks indicate the new platform should outperform its predecessor, including an Adreno 840 GPU claimed to be up to 30% faster. Reports also point to better power efficiency and improvements to cooling—two factors that can make a measurable difference in sustained performance for gaming, camera processing, and on-device AI tasks.
As for configurations, rumors currently suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra will ship with 12GB of RAM. Storage is expected in 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB options. A 2TB model does not appear to be on Samsung’s near-term roadmap, based on current speculation.
Software: One UI 8 on Android 16, Plus Seven Years of Updates
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to launch with One UI 8 built on Android 16, with a stronger emphasis on AI features. While leaks have not pinned down every software function, the direction is consistent with the wider industry: more on-device intelligence for camera enhancements, productivity features, and system-level optimizations.
Samsung is also expected to continue its commitment to seven years of updates. If that policy applies here as anticipated, the Galaxy S26 Ultra would receive security patches and major OS upgrades through 2033—an important consideration for buyers who keep premium devices for longer.
Battery and Charging: 5,000mAh (Possibly 5,200mAh) and Faster Wired Charging
Battery capacity is rumored to stay at 5000mAh, though some leaks suggest it could increase to 5200mAh. Even if capacity remains unchanged, efficiency improvements from the display and chipset could still affect real-world endurance—especially under heavy use.
Charging could see more tangible gains. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to support up to 60W wired charging, up from 45W currently.
Wireless charging is also expected to evolve with support for the Qi2 standard at up to 25W, alongside built-in magnets. If accurate, that would align the device with a growing ecosystem of magnet-aligned chargers and accessories designed around Qi2.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Release Date: Likely Q1 2026, but a Delay Isn’t Ruled Out
Samsung is typically among the earliest companies to release major flagship phones each year, and the Galaxy S series has gradually shifted toward earlier launches over time. Current expectations suggest an official announcement may still happen in January, with retail availability following a few weeks later.
However, recent reports have also suggested Samsung may delay the Galaxy S26 series for strategic reasons rather than due to design or production issues. Even with that possibility, the prevailing indicators still place the unveiling somewhere between January and March 2026.
What These Rumors Suggest About Samsung’s Priorities
Even without official confirmation, the themes emerging from the Galaxy S26 Ultra rumor cycle are clear:
- Smarter display tech that balances brightness, efficiency, and privacy-oriented features.
- Broader adoption of Qi2, including built-in magnets for more reliable wireless charging alignment.
- Camera improvements focused on sensor size and potentially hardware-level light control (variable aperture talk).
- Next-gen performance that targets GPU gains, better thermal management, and AI readiness.
- Long-term software support that continues Samsung’s seven-year update promise.
As always, the final product could differ from early leaks—especially as components, software features, and market strategies evolve closer to launch.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to bring a mix of meaningful refinements and ambitious upgrades, from a brighter, more advanced OLED panel to Qi2 wireless charging with built-in magnets and potential camera sensor changes. While the launch timing may shift slightly, current expectations still point to a Q1 2026 announcement window.
This article is based on reporting originally published by aitnews.com.
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Based on reporting originally published by aitnews.com. See the sources section below.
Sources
- aitnews.com
- https://x.com/UniverseIce/status/1985887932113383666
- https://x.com/UniverseIce/status/1965373439801524702
- https://www.phonearena.com/news/the-galaxy-s26-ultra-is-getting-a-massive-screen-upgrade--with-one-clever-catch_id173344
- https://www.galaxyclub.nl/samsung/galaxy-s26-ultra/
- https://x.com/TechKard/status/1899825429856567358
- https://www.mt.co.kr/tech/2025/11/02/2025103113281189654
