Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Specs, Design & Release Date Revealed

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is almost here. After months of rumors and leaks, today marks the official unveiling of Samsung’s new flagship line, comprised of three models: the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. The Ultra is expected to be the star of the show, aiming to solidify Samsung’s position at the top of the Android market.

Samsung hopes to maintain its dominance in the high-end Android space with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Competition is increasing, particularly from Chinese brands, but Samsung benefits from its extensive global reach and brand recognition.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra represents an iterative evolution rather than a radical departure from its predecessors. However, it incorporates both internal and external updates. Here’s a breakdown of what we know about the device.

Design of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Initial expectations pointed to minimal aesthetic changes, but Samsung has subtly modified the design. Unlike recent generations, the S26 Ultra will no longer have a distinctly squared-off appearance. Leaks revealed more rounded corners compared to the S25 Ultra.

While not as rounded as the S26 and S26+, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will have a more homogenous look with its smaller siblings. A significant change is the camera arrangement: the sensors will no longer sit directly on the rear cover, but within a pill-shaped module. This design choice harmonizes the look with the other two models in the line.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has been shown in renders and marketing materials in black and cobalt violet. A white variant has also been spotted in leaked images. It remains to be seen if these will be the only available colors.

Key Features of Samsung’s New Flagship

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature top-of-the-line specifications. It will boast a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution and an adaptive refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz. Globally, the device will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.

Memory options include 12 GB or 16 GB of RAM, with most markets expected to receive the 12 GB configuration. Storage options will be 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB.

One potential disappointment is the battery. Samsung is expected to retain the 5,000 mAh battery from previous generations. While there’s talk of improved charging speeds (up to 45 or 60 watts, depending on leaks), improvements may end there. There was speculation about the inclusion of Qi2.2 wireless charging with magnetic alignment, similar to MagSafe on iPhones and PixelSnap on Pixels, but this has been contradicted by more recent leaks.

The camera system will include a 200-megapixel main sensor with a potential aperture of f/1.4 (compared to f/1.7 in previous models). It will be accompanied by a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens, and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. The selfie camera will be 12 MP.

Like its predecessors, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will include an S-Pen. However, leaks suggest that Samsung will continue to omit Bluetooth functionality from the stylus, a feature removed in the S25 Ultra.

AI and Privacy Screen

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will run Android 16 with One UI 8.5 and incorporate several artificial intelligence features. Samsung will continue to offer access to Gemini-powered features developed by Google. Bixby is also aiming for a resurgence, adopting a chatbot-like functionality powered by Perplexity technology. Rumors suggest the introduction of a voice command, “Hey Plex,” similar to “Ok Google.”

Perhaps the most notable new feature is the privacy screen. This combines software and hardware to prevent others from viewing the contents of the display from angles other than directly in front of it. While similar solutions exist, Samsung’s implementation is expected to be among the most advanced in the industry. The screen will block side views and can be configured to work system-wide or within specific applications.

Price Expectations for the Galaxy S26 Ultra

Pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra remains uncertain, though rumors abound. Component shortages and rising RAM costs are driving up the prices of electronics. A price increase is anticipated, but the extent remains unclear.

Recent rumors suggest a starting price of 1,739 euros for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with the most expensive variant exceeding 2,300 euros. These figures should be clarified during today’s Unpacked event.

The Samsung Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra will be unveiled today at an Unpacked event beginning at 19:00, Spanish time. Hipertextual will provide full coverage of the announcement.