Samsung’s next flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, has been at the center of numerous leaks ahead of its official debut, offering a comprehensive look at what could be Samsung’s most advanced Galaxy S series device yet. According to multiple recent reports and leaks from credible sources, the S26 Ultra is expected to launch globally at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026, with availability in India likely around mid-March 2026 after pre-orders begin shortly following the announcement.
Design and Build
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to adopt a refined design compared to its predecessor, with a sleek and slightly more rounded chassis that aims to improve ergonomics while maintaining a premium look. The back panel will likely feature a unified camera island housing its quad-camera setup, a shift from the separate floating lenses seen on earlier Ultra models. Leaks suggest the device will measure approximately 163.6 × 78.1 × 7.9mm and weigh about 214 grams, reflecting its large-screen flagship proportions. Renders also show colour options including Cobalt Violet and Black, with potential additional finishes such as White, Silver Shadow, Sky Blue, and Pink Gold.
Display
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to carry a large 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with QHD+ resolution, delivering vibrant colours and smooth visuals. The screen is likely to support a high refresh rate (120Hz or higher) and extremely high peak brightness — rumored to approach 3,000 nits in some leaks — making it one of Samsung’s brightest smartphone displays. The front will be protected by Gorilla Glass Armor 2 or similar robust glass for enhanced durability.
Processor and Performance
Under the hood, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, optimized “for Galaxy” to deliver strong performance and efficiency. The flagship could be paired with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage, ensuring fluid multitasking and ample space for apps and media. The combination of the advanced chipset and optimized software should also enhance AI capabilities and gaming performance.
Camera Capabilities
Camera upgrades are one of the most anticipated aspects of the S26 Ultra. Leaks indicate a quad-camera setup led by a 200-megapixel primary sensor, accompanied by a 50MP ultra-wide camera, another 50MP periscope telephoto lens with significant optical zoom, and a 12MP telephoto camera for additional zoom flexibility. Samsung is also rumored to include advanced image processing for improved low-light performance, enhanced night shots, and high-resolution video recording up to 8K.
Battery and Charging
The smartphone is expected to draw power from a 5,000mAh battery, similar to its predecessor, but with improvements in charging speeds. 60W wired fast charging support has been widely tipped in recent leaks, a notable upgrade over some previous Galaxy S Ultra models. Wireless charging support — potentially faster than before — is also expected, contributing to a robust and versatile battery experience.
Software and Features
Samsung is likely to ship the S26 Ultra with Android 16 based One UI 8.5, bringing the latest features, security, and optimizations. One of the standout expected additions is a new “Privacy Display” — a hardware and software-assisted feature that improves on-screen privacy by limiting viewing angles, ideal for secure usage in public places.
Expected India Launch and Pricing
Leaks consistently point to a February 25, 2026 global launch at Samsung’s Unpacked event, with pre-orders beginning within a day or two and retail availability in India by early to mid-March 2026. The starting price in India for the base 256GB variant is expected to be around ₹1,30,000 – ₹1,35,000, though higher storage variants (512GB and 1TB) could push this higher.