Updated January 20, 2026: Samsung's Exynos 2600 yields have reached 50%, up from 37% just months ago, with approximately 25% of Galaxy S26 and S26+ units expected to use the 2nm chip globally. New leaks confirm the base Galaxy S26 will stick with 25W charging speeds, disappointing those hoping for faster charging on the entry-level flagship. Ice Universe has confirmed the S26 Ultra will embrace more realistic photography with reduced post-processing. One UI 8.5 Beta 4 is expected to roll out this week with a major kernel upgrade.
If you've been eyeing Samsung's next flagship, mark your calendar for February 25, 2026. Reliable leaker Evan Blass has "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 a significant smartphone upgrade for 2026. Samsung has officially decided to freeze Galaxy S26 pricing at $799/$999/$1,299 to remain competitive with Apple, absorbing a reported 10-15% hit to profit margins rather than risk losing market share.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Specs at a Glance
Here's everything we know 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
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, wider from f/1.7), 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 5x periscope telephoto (f/2.9, wider from f/3.4), 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 (online exclusives possible including orange)
What's Changing in Samsung's Flagship Lineup
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.
Design-wise, the S26 Ultra features rounder corners and a more comfortable in-hand feel while maintaining its signature flat edges. The camera bump thickness is increasing from 2.4mm to 4.5mm for a more prominent camera island design.
Aluminum Frame Returns: Samsung Ditches Titanium
Samsung is moving away from titanium for the Galaxy S26 Ultra frame. Leaked color names dropping the "Titanium" prefix confirm this shift, mirroring 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. The phone is expected to weigh around 214 grams, down from the S25 Ultra's 218 grams.
Exynos 2600 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: The Chip Strategy
Samsung is bringing back the regional processor split 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.
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.
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 2600 features a 10-core CPU configuration with one prime core at 3.8GHz, three high-performance cores at 3.25GHz, and six efficiency cores at 2.75GHz. Samsung claims up to 39% better CPU performance and a 113% jump in AI processing capabilities compared to its predecessor. The new Heat Path Block technology relocates RAM to the side of the processor for improved thermal management.
Camera Upgrades: A Shift Toward Realism
While megapixel counts remain unchanged, the S26 Ultra's camera improvements come from lens technology and processing philosophy. The 200MP main sensor retains the ISOCELL HP2 but gains a wider f/1.4 aperture (up from f/1.7), allowing approximately 47% more light capture.
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 5x periscope telephoto is also moving to f/2.9 for roughly 38% brighter shots.
The telephoto system includes a new 12MP 3x sensor replacing the aging 10MP unit, while the selfie camera stays at 12MP but gains a wider 85-degree field of view.
Privacy Display: The Standout Feature
Confirmed through One UI 8.5 firmware, the Privacy Display feature uses Samsung Display's Flex Magic Pixel technology to make the screen less visible when viewed from side angles. The feature includes two intensity levels: a standard mode and a "Maximum privacy protection" setting for situations requiring absolute confidentiality.
FN News reports this feature may extend to all three Galaxy S26 models, not just the Ultra. Users can configure it to activate automatically based on specific apps, notifications, or location.
Charging Finally Catches Up
The S26 Ultra jumps from 45W to 60W wired charging, with leaks suggesting it can reach 75% battery in just 30 minutes. Samsung is branding this "Super Fast Charging 3.0." Wireless charging jumps from 15W to 25W with full Qi2.2 support and built-in magnets.
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.
One UI 8.5 and Bixby with Perplexity AI
Samsung officially confirmed One UI 8.5 will launch with the Galaxy S26 series. Key features include Storage Share for accessing files across Galaxy devices, Audio Broadcast using Auracast for group communication, and enhanced security features like Failed Authentication Lock.
Samsung is revamping Bixby with Perplexity AI integration, spotted in the One UI 8.5 beta. This partnership allows Bixby to handle basic device commands while Perplexity tackles complex, research-intensive queries with cited sources and real-time web information.
One UI 8.5 Beta 4 is expected to roll out between January 19-22, 2026, bringing a major kernel upgrade and previewing new features ahead of the Galaxy S26 launch.
S Pen: Redesigned But Still Here
Despite rumors about Samsung potentially ditching the S Pen, the stylus is confirmed to remain with the S26 Ultra. The S Pen is getting a redesign with a curved top edge to match the phone's rounded corners. Bluetooth features like Air Gestures removed with the S25 Ultra aren't returning.
Industry observers suggest the S26 Ultra could be the last Galaxy Ultra to ship with a built-in S Pen slot.
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, real-world battery life should still improve noticeably.
Pricing and Availability
Samsung has officially confirmed pricing will remain frozen for the fourth consecutive year. The Galaxy S26 starts at $799, the S26 Plus at $999, and the S26 Ultra at $1,299 in the US. Some markets like South Korea may see modest increases of $30-$60 due to currency fluctuations.
Pre-orders are expected to open on February 25, with retail availability around March 11, 2026. The 16GB + 1TB variant is confirmed for expanded availability including the Middle East region.
Should You Wait or Buy the S25 Ultra Now?
If you're rocking a Galaxy S24 Ultra or newer, waiting makes sense. You'll get meaningful upgrades in charging speed (60W wired, 25W wireless), camera optics (f/1.4 aperture), full Qi2 magnetic charging, Privacy Display, and enhanced AI capabilities.
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.
