Samsung will unveil its Galaxy S26 Ultra on February 25, 2026, according to multiple leaks and South Korean media reports. The flagship smartphone launch marks a departure from Samsung's typical January Unpacked events, pushing the announcement to late February.
The Galaxy Unpacked event will reportedly take place in San Francisco, with a global livestream starting around 10 am Pacific time. Samsung will introduce three models: Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, alongside potential Galaxy Buds 4 Pro earbuds.
Pre-orders for the Galaxy S26 Ultra will open the day after the keynote, according to The Sunday Guardian. Retail sales are expected to begin by March 11, with Samsung reportedly prioritizing Ultra model production due to stronger demand compared to the S26 and S26+.
Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature a refined design with curvier corners than its predecessor, addressing ergonomic concerns raised by the S25 Ultra's sharp edges. The device will measure 7.9mm thick, making it 0.3mm slimmer than the previous model.
The phone will reportedly include a new M14 OLED display with Samsung's Privacy Display technology, designed to protect on-screen information from prying eyes. This feature has been highlighted in recent teaser videos from the company.
Camera upgrades represent the most significant hardware changes. The Galaxy S26 Ultra will reportedly retain the same 1/1.3-inch 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor used in previous models, but with an upgraded f/1.4 aperture for its main camera. The device is said to let in 47% more light, improving low-light photography performance.
The ultrawide-angle camera will reportedly receive an upgrade from 12MP to 50MP, according to Android Headlines. The camera array will maintain a vertical pill-shaped design on the back, with lenses moving to a raised island configuration.
Processor options will vary by region. US and Chinese markets will receive Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5-powered devices, while other regions could see Exynos 2600 variants. The Exynos 2600 reportedly includes an NPU that's 30% faster than Qualcomm's flagship chipset, according to Korea Economic Daily.
Storage configurations will start at 256GB, with 512GB and 1TB options available. Samsung may remove the 128GB base model entirely, positioning the device firmly in the ultra-premium segment. The phone will come with 12GB of RAM.
S Pen support will remain a key feature of the Ultra model, continuing Samsung's tradition of integrating stylus functionality into its top-tier smartphone. The device will run Android 16 with One UI 8.5, which includes an expanded dark theme, improved Home Up support, and lockscreen widget functionality.
Pricing may remain unchanged from the S25 series, according to South Korean publication Fnews. The Galaxy S26 Ultra could maintain its £1,249 price point in the UK, with similar pricing expected in other markets. The Galaxy S26 would start at £799, while the S26+ would be priced at £999.
Samsung is currently clearing out Galaxy S25 Ultra inventory with significant discounts ahead of the S26 launch. The S25 Ultra has dropped to £31 per month at Sky Mobile in the UK, with savings of £432. In India, the device has received an Rs 18,599 price cut on Amazon.
The company has also launched aggressive trade-in offers for the S25 Ultra, providing up to $700 in instant credit in the US market. These clearance sales typically signal an imminent product launch, according to industry observers.
One UI 8.5 will bring enhanced AI features, including Samsung's take on Apple's Notification Summary system. The software update has been available in beta since December 2025, revealing features like improved inter-device connectivity and folder resizing capabilities.
Samsung may also showcase its smart AI glasses at the Unpacked event, developed in partnership with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. While a full launch isn't expected, a teaser could signal Samsung's entry into the improved reality eyewear market.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will reportedly feature a significant redesign with a flat stem and new wire grille design. Details about audio improvements remain scarce, but the earbuds are expected to deliver a premium listening experience.
Samsung's decision to delay the Unpacked event to February 25 follows the company's recent focus on the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, where it used Galaxy S25 Ultra devices to live-stream the opening ceremony. The company installed 26 S25 Ultra devices around San Siro Stadium in Milan for the broadcast.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra launch comes as Samsung faces increased competition in the premium smartphone segment, particularly from Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and Google's Pixel 10 Pro. The company's emphasis on camera improvements and privacy features reflects current market trends toward photography excellence and data security.
Pre-order reservations will likely open on Samsung's website immediately after the February 25 announcement, with shipping expected in early March. The company typically offers enhanced trade-in values and free storage upgrades during the initial launch period.
