Updated January 24, 2026: Samsung's Galaxy S26 series will be available for pre-order between February 26 and March 4, according to reliable leaker Ice Universe. The phones will then enter a "pre-sale" period from March 5-10, with general availability starting March 11. Samsung is reportedly planning to launch a new "ultra-high strength" display that eliminates the need for screen protectors, featuring a new generation of Gorilla Glass that "eliminates tempered glass protectors" according to Ice Universe. The display will also replace the need for anti-reflective films that users sometimes add to their displays.
If you've been eyeing Samsung's next big thing, you might want to mark your calendar for February 25, 2026. Reliable leaker Evan Blass has now "100%" confirmed this date, stating "you can take it to the bank."
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is set for a February 25 unveiling at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, with retail availability expected around March 11.
This strategic four-week delay from Samsung's typical early-year launch schedule gives the company extra time to finalize what could be one of the most significant smartphone upgrades of 2026.
The shift to a February announcement, with retail availability expected shortly after, aligns with Samsung's historical patterns for earlier Galaxy S models like the S22 and S23 series. According to South Korean business reports and consistent leaks from reliable sources like Ice Universe, this timeline adjustment appears strategic rather than problematic.
The company reportedly wants to ensure everything from chip production to AI feature integration is polished before the big reveal.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Release Date & Availability
Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for February 25, 2026, in San Francisco, California. Evan Blass confirmed the February 25 launch date, calling it "100% correct."
According to reliable Samsung leaker Ice Universe, the Galaxy S26 series will be available for pre-order between February 26 and March 4, followed by a "pre-sale" period from March 5-10, with the phones going on general sale on March 11.
PhoneArena notes that since the Friday two weeks after February 25 falls on a 13th, the actual retail launch could shift to an adjacent day. Samsung reportedly wants to avoid releasing the phones on Friday March 13 because it's considered unlucky in the west, according to News1 Korea.
This represents a noticeable shift from Samsung's recent pattern. The S24 Ultra launched on January 31, and the S25 Ultra hit shelves on February 7. The S26 Ultra's late-February announcement pushes everything back by about four weeks.
According to industry insiders, this delay isn't due to production problems but rather Samsung's decision to refine the lineup after cancelling the S26 Edge and finalizing the Exynos 2600 integration for the standard models.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Specs at a Glance
Let's cut through the noise and lay out what you're actually getting with the S26 Ultra. Here's everything we know so far, based on the most reliable leaks and certifications:
| Display | 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, ~2,600 nits peak brightness, M14 OLED with Color-on-Encapsulation technology, Gorilla Armor 2 protection, Flex Magic Pixel privacy feature, new ultra-high strength display eliminates need for screen protectors |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm, globally for Ultra model only) |
| Memory & Storage | 12GB RAM standard (16GB/1TB variant available in expanded markets including Middle East), storage options of 256GB/512GB/1TB with UFS 4.1 |
| Camera System | 200MP main (f/1.4 aperture), 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 5x periscope telephoto (f/2.9), 12MP 3x telephoto (new sensor), 12MP front camera with 85-degree field of view |
| Battery & Charging | 5,000mAh battery, 60W wired charging (up from 45W), 25W wireless charging (up from 15W), full Qi2.2 support with built-in magnets |
| Design | Rounded corners, flat edges, 4.5mm camera bump thickness, Armor Aluminum 2.0 frame, built-in S Pen with curved redesign, 7.9mm thickness (down from 8.2mm), 214g weight (down from 218g) |
| Software | One UI 8.5 (officially confirmed), Android 16, Galaxy AI 2.0 features, enhanced on-device AI processing |
| Colors | Black Shadow, White Shadow, Galactial Blue, Ultraviolet |
| Additional Features | IP68 water/dust resistance, ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers, 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
The big story here isn't any single spec. The jump to 60W charging paired with Qi2.2 magnetic accessories addresses long-standing complaints. The f/1.4 camera aperture should deliver genuinely better low-light shots.
And the global Snapdragon consistency for Ultra buyers means no more "did I get the good version?" anxiety. These aren't just numbers on a spec sheet, they're practical improvements you'll actually notice in daily use.
What's Changing in Samsung's Flagship Lineup
First things first: the Galaxy S26 Edge is officially cancelled. Following disappointing sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung has confirmed it's simplifying its lineup to just three models: the standard S26, S26 Plus, and the flagship S26 Ultra.
Thailand's NBTC certification has confirmed the Galaxy S26+ will use the model number previously assigned to the cancelled Edge.
This move away from the ultra-slim Edge design makes sense when you consider market trends. Consumers have consistently shown they prioritize battery life and camera quality over razor-thin profiles, especially at premium price points.
Design-wise, the S26 Ultra is moving toward rounder corners and a more comfortable in-hand feel, though the phone will maintain its signature flat edges. The camera setup is also getting a visual overhaul, with the camera bump thickness increasing from 2.4mm to 4.5mm for a more prominent camera island design that should give the phone a cleaner, more integrated look.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Colors: Black Shadow, Galactial Blue, and More
According to Ice Universe, Samsung has finalized four launch colors for the S26 Ultra: Black Shadow, White Shadow, Galactial Blue, and Ultraviolet. The notable absence of "Titanium" in these color names confirms Samsung is switching from a titanium frame to aluminum for this generation.
As with previous Ultra launches, expect Samsung to reserve its most interesting color variants for direct online purchases through Samsung.com, while carriers get the standard black, white, and blue options. Some sources suggest exclusive colors like orange could appear as online-only offerings.
Aluminum Frame Returns: Samsung Ditches Titanium
Samsung is moving away from titanium for the Galaxy S26 Ultra frame, as evidenced by the leaked color names dropping the "Titanium" prefix. This mirrors Apple's similar move from titanium to aluminum on the iPhone 17 Pro.
The switch to Armor Aluminum 2.0 makes engineering sense. Aluminum offers approximately 20 times better thermal conductivity than titanium, which should help the S26 Ultra manage heat more effectively during demanding tasks like gaming or 4K video recording.
The phone is expected to weigh around 214 grams, down from the S25 Ultra's 218 grams. While some fans may miss the premium titanium branding, the improved thermal performance should translate to more consistent sustained performance without throttling.
Exynos 2600 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Which Chip?
Contrary to earlier hopes for a unified global chipset, Samsung is bringing back the regional processor split, but with a significant twist. The Galaxy S26 Ultra will exclusively feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 globally, ensuring consistent flagship performance for Ultra buyers regardless of region.
This 3nm processor, built on Qualcomm's latest architecture, delivers significant improvements in both CPU performance and AI processing capabilities.
The standard S26 and S26 Plus will use a dual-chip strategy. Markets like the US, China, and Japan get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while Europe, South Korea, and select Asian markets receive Samsung's newly unveiled Exynos 2600, the world's first smartphone chip built on a 2nm manufacturing process.
Exynos 2600: Samsung's 2nm Gamble
Samsung officially unveiled the Exynos 2600 in December 2025, and the specs are genuinely impressive. Built using Samsung Foundry's cutting-edge 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) process, the chip features a unique 10-core CPU configuration.
It uses one prime core running at 3.8GHz, three high-performance cores at 3.25GHz, and six efficiency-focused cores at 2.75GHz based on Arm's latest v9.3 architecture.
Samsung claims up to 39% better CPU performance compared to the Exynos 2500, with a massive 113% jump in AI processing capabilities. The new Xclipse 960 GPU promises double the graphics performance of its predecessor.
Samsung Foundry has achieved a 50% yield rate for the Exynos 2600, up from 37% just months ago. However, industry analysts estimate that Snapdragon chips will still power approximately 75% of Galaxy S26 units worldwide, with the Exynos 2600 accounting for around 25% of shipments.
The Exynos-powered models will primarily reach European and Korean markets.
Samsung's "Heat Path Block" technology relocates RAM to the side of the processor rather than stacking it on top, allowing direct copper heat sink contact. This addresses the thermal throttling issues that have plagued previous Exynos chips and could finally close the performance gap with Snapdragon variants.
Camera Upgrades That Actually Matter
While megapixel counts won't change dramatically, the S26 Ultra features a 200MP main sensor with significant lens improvements. The primary camera gains a wider f/1.4 aperture (up from f/1.7), which allows approximately 47% more light capture compared to previous models.
This translates to noticeably better low-light performance and more natural background blur without software trickery.
Ice Universe has confirmed a significant philosophy shift: the Galaxy S26 Ultra will embrace more realistic photography with reduced post-processing. Instead of high contrast and heavily saturated images, Samsung is prioritizing colors that accurately represent the real environment.
The telephoto system is getting meaningful attention too. The 50MP periscope lens for 5x optical zoom is moving to f/2.9 (from f/3.4) for roughly 38% brighter shots. There's a new 12MP 3x telephoto unit replacing the aging 10MP sensor found in current models. The selfie camera stays at 12MP but gets a wider 85-degree field of view (up from 80 degrees).
S Pen: Redesigned and Still Here
Despite widespread rumors about Samsung potentially ditching the S Pen, the stylus is confirmed to remain with the S26 Ultra, though this might be its final appearance.
The S Pen is getting a redesign to match the phone's new aesthetic, with a curved top edge replacing the flat, boxy profile of previous generations. This allows the stylus to sit flush with the S26 Ultra's rounded corners.
Samsung removed Bluetooth features like Air Gestures and remote camera controls with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and those aren't coming back. The S Pen remains a capable writing tool with pressure sensitivity and hover functions, but the advanced wireless tricks are gone.
Industry observers suggest the S26 Ultra could be the last Galaxy Ultra to ship with a built-in S Pen slot, as the space it occupies could be used for larger batteries or additional components in future generations.
Charging Finally Catches Up
Samsung's charging speeds have felt stagnant compared to Chinese competitors for years, but the S26 Ultra might finally close that gap. The phone jumps from 45W to 60W wired charging, with certifications and Samsung's own leaked 60W charger images supporting this upgrade.
Leaks suggest it can reach 75% battery in just 30 minutes. Samsung is branding this "Super Fast Charging 3.0."
Wireless charging is getting a major upgrade too. The S26 Ultra features full Qi2.2 support with built-in magnets, finally bringing proper MagSafe-like functionality to Samsung's flagship. The S26 Ultra's integrated magnetic ring means a whole ecosystem of magnetic accessories will work seamlessly with the phone.
Wireless charging speeds are jumping from 15W to 25W, making cable-free charging significantly more practical.
However, disappointing news for base model buyers: the standard Galaxy S26 will reportedly stick with 25W charging speeds despite earlier rumors of a 45W upgrade. The S26 Plus remains at 45W with a 4,900mAh battery.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Display & AI Features
According to a report from FN News, the AI-powered Privacy Display feature may not be exclusive to the Ultra model. All three phones in the Galaxy S26 series could feature Samsung Display's Flex Magic Pixel technology.
This feature makes the screen less visible when viewed from side angles, with two intensity levels: a standard mode and a "Maximum privacy protection" mode for situations requiring absolute confidentiality.
Users can configure it to activate automatically based on specific apps, notifications, or when away from home.
The display uses M14 OLED technology with Color-on-Encapsulation (CoE), which helps slim down the overall phone thickness while improving color accuracy. Peak brightness is expected to remain at 2,600 nits.
Samsung officially confirmed that One UI 8.5 will launch with the Galaxy S26 series. One UI 8.5 is bringing Storage Share, a feature that shows files from other Galaxy devices directly in the My Files app. Audio Broadcast uses Auracast to enable effortless communication with LE Audio-supported devices nearby.
Bixby Powered by Perplexity AI
Samsung is revamping its Bixby assistant with Perplexity AI integration, spotted in the One UI 8.5 beta. This partnership allows Bixby to handle basic device commands while Perplexity tackles more complex, research-intensive queries with cited sources and real-time web information.
The interface shows Bixby delivering responses with a Perplexity button at the end, providing links back to sources. The full integration is expected to debut with the Galaxy S26 series.
Battery: No Silicon-Carbon This Year
Despite earlier rumors of a 5,200mAh capacity, reliable sources now indicate the S26 Ultra sticks with 5,000mAh. Samsung is not adopting silicon-carbon battery technology this generation, unlike Chinese competitors offering 6,000-7,000mAh capacities.
Samsung is prioritizing power efficiency through the M14 OLED panel and software optimizations rather than raw capacity increases. Combined with the 60W charging upgrade and more efficient display, real-world battery life should still improve noticeably.
S26 Ultra RAM & Storage Options
The S26 Ultra will stick with 12GB of RAM as standard across most global markets, with a 16GB RAM variant paired with 1TB storage available in expanded markets. Leaker AhmedQwaider has confirmed the 16GB + 1TB variant will see broader availability this year, including the Middle East region. Storage options remain 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, all using faster UFS 4.1 technology.
Pricing and Availability
Samsung has officially confirmed it will freeze pricing for the fourth consecutive year, according to South Korean outlet Maeil Business Newspaper. The Galaxy S26 will start at $799, the S26 Plus at $999, and the S26 Ultra at $1,299 in the US. Samsung reportedly decided to absorb a 10-15% hit to profit margins rather than risk losing market share to Apple and Chinese competitors.
Some markets like South Korea may see modest increases of $30-$60 due to currency fluctuations.
Should You Wait for the S26 Ultra or Buy the S25 Ultra Now?
If you're rocking a Galaxy S24 Ultra or newer, waiting for the S26 Ultra makes sense. You'll get meaningful upgrades in charging speed (60W wired, 25W wireless), camera optics (f/1.4 aperture, new 3x telephoto), full Qi2.2 magnetic charging, Privacy Display, and enhanced AI capabilities.
The thermal improvements alone could make a noticeable difference in sustained performance during demanding tasks.
But if your current phone is struggling or you're coming from an older model like the S22 Ultra or earlier, the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains an excellent choice that will likely see significant discounts once its successor arrives in March. You'll miss out on faster charging and magnetic accessories, but you'll get a proven flagship at a better price point.
The bottom line? Samsung's taking its time with the S26 Ultra to get things right, and early indications suggest the wait could be worth it.
Between global Snapdragon consistency for Ultra buyers, the promising Exynos 2600 for standard models in select markets, meaningful camera improvements, and finally catching up on charging technology and magnetic accessories, this might be the most compelling Ultra upgrade in years.
