The Galaxy S25 Ultra was a competent update. However, it was a minor iteration. The S24 Ultra, already excellent, served as a solid foundation. Many felt that Samsung was saving its major innovations for later. That “later” is now on the horizon. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the subject of numerous rumors. These leaks paint a picture of a technological monster.

This article analyzes the most credible leaks. We cover the design and performance. The screen hides a unique feature. The Exynos processor is preparing for a powerful comeback. In contrast, the camera setup is sparking debate. The S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a device that divides and fascinates. It seems ready to redefine high-end market expectations.

A New Launch Strategy

Samsung is changing its usual schedule. The traditional January launch is being abandoned. The date of February 26, 2026, keeps coming up. This date is not chosen at random. It coincides perfectly with the opening of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Samsung is preparing a show of force. The company wants to impress the public. It is also targeting the entire mobile industry.

However, an industrial reason motivates this shift. The production of the new 2-nanometer chip takes time. This extra delay ensures that factories can supply sufficient volumes. Samsung is prioritizing a controlled launch. The company wants to avoid stock shortages.

A Redesigned Design: Farewell to Titanium

The first renders show an aesthetic evolution. Samsung continues the trend started with the S25 Ultra. The corners are becoming even more rounded. The S26 Ultra is moving away from the “brick” look inherited from the old Galaxy Notes. This approach promotes a more comfortable grip. Furthermore, the phone would be thinner. Leaks mention 7.9 mm of thickness compared to 8.2 mm previously.

The most visible change is on the back. Gone are the individual floating lenses. These often accumulated dust. Samsung is reportedly returning to a unified vertical island. This design is reminiscent of the Z Fold 7. It offers a cleaner appearance. It also solves the maintenance problem. It’s a minor but practical aesthetic change.

However, a major rumor concerns the materials. The titanium frame, a marketing point for the S25 Ultra, will reportedly disappear. The Galaxy S26 Ultra would return to aluminum. This decision may be surprising. Titanium feels soft to the touch and is perceived as premium. However, this choice is strategic. Titanium is expensive. Above all, it is a poor heat conductor. Aluminum, conversely, dissipates heat much better. The new 2026 chips promise to be extremely powerful. Samsung has therefore preferred raw performance over “bling.” It is a pragmatic engineering choice.

The Screen and its “Flex Magics Pixel” Feature

The front retains a huge 6.9-inch screen. It uses Quad HD+ technology. A new M4 panel promises more brightness. The borders are getting even thinner. These improvements are standard for a high-end Samsung phone.

But the real revolution is elsewhere. It is called “Flex Magics Pixel.” This name hides a hardware privacy screen. It is not a simple software filter. The technology is much more advanced. The screen uses artificial intelligence. The AI controls the pixels individually. It actively modifies the viewing angles.

In practical terms, the user sees their screen perfectly. A person sitting next to them will only see a black screen. It is native protection against prying eyes. No need for an external filter that degrades the image. This “anti-snooping” feature would be a hardware exclusive for the S26 Ultra. It represents a major privacy advantage.

Performance: The Triumphant Return of Exynos

The S25 Ultra used a single Snapdragon chip. For the S26 Ultra, Samsung is relaunching the chip lottery. The United States and China would receive the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Europe and Korea would get the Exynos 2600. This news initially worried European users.

Yet, the first benchmarks are shocking. The Exynos 2600, built on a 2-nanometer process, shows impressive scores. On Geekbench, it reaches 4217 in single-core. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 only manages 2865. The gap is considerable. The Exynos doesn’t just catch up to its competitor. It surpasses it by a wide margin.

How can this power gain be explained? Samsung has reportedly separated the 5G modem from the main chip. This architecture frees up valuable space for the CPU and GPU. If these tests are confirmed, it’s the end of “chipgate.” Europe would finally get the better version. It is now clearer why the aluminum chassis is vital. A material capable of cooling this monster of power is necessary.

The Camera Controversy

The camera section is the most complex. The leaks are contradictory. This is the point that divides people the most. If the rumors are true, some choices are hard to accept.

The main sensor would remain at 200 megapixels. The change would come from the optic. The aperture would move to F/1.4 (from F/1.7). In practical terms, the sensor captures much more light. Night photos will be greatly improved. The background blur (bokeh) will be more natural. It will no longer be necessary to use portrait mode systematically.

The ultra-wide-angle would remain at 50 megapixels. The 5x telephoto lens would also keep its 50 megapixels. The drama is focused on the 3x telephoto lens. A credible rumor, pushed by leaker Ice Universe, speaks of a downgrade. The 3x sensor would remain at 10 megapixels. It would even be physically smaller than the one in the S25 Ultra.

This regression seems incomprehensible. The explanation is purely physical. The phone is thinner. The new main sensor (with its F/1.4 optic) takes up more space. There is literally no more room for the 3x sensor. Samsung is therefore betting on its new image signal processor (ISP). The software magic of the Exynos 2600 will have to compensate for this hardware loss. It’s a very risky bet.

Battery, Charging, and S-Pen

On the battery front, the capacity would remain at 5000 mAh. Rumors mentioned 5400 mAh. But the increased thinness of the S26 Ultra makes this unlikely. Battery life should still improve. The efficiency of the 2nm chip and the new screen will contribute to this.

The real change comes from charging. Samsung is finally waking up. Wired charging would go from 45W to 60W. This is not at the level of Chinese brands (100W or 120W). Nevertheless, it is a notable improvement. Wireless charging would reach 25W. The phone would also adopt Qi2 magnets. This opens the way for a MagSafe-type ecosystem.

A final word on the S-Pen. It remains integrated into the chassis. Unfortunately, the Bluetooth function was removed on the S25 Ultra. Rumors do not indicate any reversal.

The Expected Price of the S26 Ultra

What will be the price of this S26 Ultra? The return to aluminum allows for cost savings. This choice offsets the cost of the new 2nm chip. It also balances the price of the new Flex Magics Pixel screen. Consequently, rumors agree on a stable price. The S26 Ultra should be launched at around €1300. This is a similar price to that of the S25 Ultra.

In conclusion, the S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a major update. It combines exciting innovations (Exynos, screen) with surprising compromises (chassis, 3x camera). The S26 Ultra will not be a simple iteration. It will be a device of choice and performance.