Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Rumors, Release Date & Major Upgrades 2026

Ameer Hamza — author photo
Written by Ameer Hamza
Updated: August 19, 2025

Introduction — What to expect at launch

Samsung’s next coming series — the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra series is expected to launch in early 2026 (according to rumors), with an expected announcement in January and available to buy soon. Many sites and reporters show bigger battery life and RAM upgrades for the Ultra model, new AI features, and a expected change of the S-series names.

Market reporters expect right now Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event for mid-January to February 2026, with the S26 series likely on sale a few weeks after announcement. That schedule follows Samsung’s recent trend of January/February top phone launches.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — rumoured upgrades

Person holding a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra-style phone showing the rear camera array; candid lifestyle shot with blurred city background, logo-free.

Leaks suggest the S26 Ultra will focus on camera and performance improvements instead of complete redesign. Rumoured features include a 200MP main sensor, different zoom options, a 6.9-inch AMOLED display, and faster wired charging (up to ~60–65W).

Early system software and leak info also point to a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (or Exynos matching in some regions) and a possible return to 16GB of RAM — a move experts say would support more advanced AI tasks. An AnTuTu of roughly 4,000,000 has been reported, representing a major improvement over current Android leaders.

Battery and Series changes

The Ultra is reportedly coming with a 5,000 mAh battery, while the standard S26 / S26 Pro models may see small increases (leaks show ~4,300 mAh for a compact Pro). Samsung is also said to be considering name changes — replacing “Plus” with “Pro” or “Edge” — and may change parts sourcing. Those series rumors have led to guess that Samsung could reduce or modify the base S26 model. Readers should keep in mind details can change.

Price expectations and market positioning

Low-light photo featuring a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra camera performance, logo-free.

If Samsung follows the same pattern, the S26 Ultra’s starting price could be similar to the S25 Ultra’s launch price (around $1,299), with higher versions for 512GB and 1TB options. Market analysts say that parts costs and new AI/processor choices will impact the final cost.

“Macquarie thinks the RAM capacity of the Galaxy S series will increase to 16GB in 2026,” an analyst note mentioned in recent reporting, showing how Samsung is presenting the next leading model to handle AI tasks on the phone. (Tom’s Guide)

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Samsung S26 / S26 Ultra be released?

Most sources expect an announcement in January 2026 and available to buy in February 2026.

What are the Samsung S26 Ultra specs?

A 6.9-inch AMOLED display, a 200MP main camera, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, up to 16GB RAM, and a ~5,000 mAh battery is rumored. Final specs will be confirmed later.

How much will the Samsung S26 Ultra cost?

Expected S26 Ultra’s starting price near $1,299, with higher prices for larger storage (512GB/1TB). Official pricing will be announced at Samsung’s Unpacked event.

Did Samsung cancel the Galaxy S26?

There have been from time to time updates about series changes, but popular websites still expect a 2026 S-series launch. Watch for an official statement from Samsung for confirmation.

Conclusion — What this means for buyers

For current expert phone users, the S26 Ultra looks like a step-by-step upgrade: better processing speed, advance AI in device, and new camera that make better low-light and zoom performance. Buyers focused on battery life and big design changes may find small improvements; however, camera users and expert users should watch official details closely once Samsung says them at Unpacked.

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Writer:

My name is Ameer Hamza. I checked Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks and rumors to confirm what’s real. I focused on camera upgrades, performance, and possible AI features during my research. This information is based on the sites I follow and my early analysis.

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