The Galaxy Ultra lineup is Samsung’s top-of-the-line flagship smartphones that offer the best hardware and software features. Over the last couple of weeks, leaks have hinted that the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra will be a meaningful upgrade over the Galaxy S25 Ultra. But how significant are these changes, and is it worth upgrading if you already own an S25 Ultra? It is expected to bring stronger performance, enhanced cameras, and smarter features. So, we’ve broken down the leaks, rumors, and expected differences between these two flagship phones.
1. Design & Display: Refining What Worked
Both Ultra models follow Samsung’s premium design language: large displays, minimal bezels, and top-tier build quality. The S25 Ultra already set a high bar with a vibrant AMOLED panel, peak brightness, and sharp detail. Rumors point to the S26 Ultra retaining a similar standard with the top-end Dynamic AMOLED display but possibly polishing it further, with marginal brightness gains.
But apart from the high resolution and smooth refresh rate, the South Korean tech giant is bringing a new Privacy Display feature. This would allow certain parts of the screen to remain visible, hiding the contents of the display from sneaky onlookers.
Leaked hands-on images have also showcased subtle design refinements rather than a revolutionary look. The rear camera module, frames, and ergonomics are getting minor tweaks, along with new color options (such as black, white, blue, and purple.) and a slightly sleeker design. Samsung’s next flagship might be getting slimmer. Last year’s S25 Ultra measured 8.2mmthick, while the S26 Ultra may measure just 7.9mm.
2. Next-Gen Power Inside
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra promo image shared by Evan Blass
One of the clearest areas of improvement is raw performance. While the S25 Ultra already delivered flagship-class speed with its Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite for Galaxy, leaks indicate the S26 Ultra will upgrade to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for every region. It is unclear if this will also be a slightly faster version of the 8 Elite Gen 5, but the early GeekBench listing suggests notable gains in both single and multi core performance.
This should translate to smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and improved endurance under heavy workloads and gaming. We can also expect better AI performance and improved power efficiency. Samsung could upgrade the thermal dissipation system on the S26 Ultra for better heat management, which should help in prolonged heavy use.
3. Cameras
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra render
Samsung’s Ultra series typically offers the best mobile camera experience, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to carry forward this philosophy. Recent leaks have hinted at the next-gen flagship getting slight updates in terms of hardware. But the biggest upgrade is to the main sensor, which is still a 200MP shooter but with a wider f/1.4 aperture, which should help improve night photography and low light video capture.
This is coupled with a 50MP ultra wide angle lens, a 50MP periscope telephoto shooter with 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP telephoto camera with a 3x optical zoom. There were rumors of Samsung even working on external camera accessories for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which might enhance the photography experience. A fresh leak revealed a larger punch hole cutout on the front that might be hinting at a larger camera for selfies and video calls.
4. Battery & Charging
Despite Chinese brands offering massive battery capacities thanks to the Silicon-Carbon cell technology, Samsung is sticking to the older Li-Ion battery for the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra. So, we may once again see a humble (yet still sizeable) 5,000mAh battery pack. However, wired charging speeds might be getting a jump from 45W to 60W or 65W. Wireless charging is getting enhanced with the Qi2 standard, but there has been mixed news regarding built-in magnets for a MagSafe-like charging convenience.
5. Software
Samsung is expected to ship the Galaxy S26 Ultra with its latest One UI 8.5 custom skin. This is still based on the Android 16 OS, but with various improvements over One UI 8. Furthermore, it will also get up to 7 years of major Android OS updates and security patches. Samsung’s recent focus on AI means the S26 Ultra could get enhanced voice assistants, camera AI, and adaptive battery/ performance tweaks as well.
6. Verdict
For owners of older Galaxy flagships, the S26 Ultra is likely a compelling upgrade thanks to performance, camera, and software gains. For S25 Ultra owners, the decision depends on how much value you place on these incremental refinements. When combined with refined AI and software experiences, it’s a worthwhile step forward for buyers who want the very best Samsung has to offer in 2026.
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