The latest leaks for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, confirmed by year-end dummy units and regulatory filings, suggest that Samsung is preparing its most significant hardware pivot in years for a February 2026 launch. Visually, the device moves away from its traditional sharp-edged “Note” identity toward a more ergonomic silhouette with noticeably rounded corners and a slimmer 7.9mm titanium frame. The most discussed change is the new unified camera island, which ditches the individual floating lenses for a raised platform inspired by the Galaxy Z Fold 7. While this “telegraph-style” bump may cause the phone to wobble on flat surfaces, it is designed to house a more powerful quad-camera array, featuring a 200MP main sensor with a wider f/1.4 aperture for superior low-light performance.
Under the hood, the S26 Ultra is expected to be a global powerhouse, exclusively featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset paired with up to 16GB of RAM. Perhaps the most welcome upgrade for long-term fans is the “breaking of the 45W ceiling,” as 3C certifications have confirmed support for 60W wired fast charging. This move, combined with the introduction of Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, brings Samsung’s charging ecosystem up to modern flagship standards. With a peak display brightness rumored to reach 3,000 nits and the debut of One UI 8.5 (Android 16), the S26 Ultra aims to be a “zero-compromise” device, though reports suggest this level of innovation may come with a price hike, potentially starting at $1,399.
