Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Expected Release Date, Features, and Latest Leaks

Expected Release Date

As of February 2025, Samsung has not officially announced the Galaxy S26 Ultra. However, based on Samsung’s traditional release cycle, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to launch in early 2026, likely in January or February. Samsung typically unveils its flagship Galaxy S series at its annual Unpacked event at the beginning of the year, followed by global sales within a few weeks.

According to PhoneArena, Samsung may continue this trend, ensuring that the S26 Ultra follows in the footsteps of its predecessors with an early-year release.

Potential Lineup Changes

One of the most surprising rumors surrounding the Galaxy S26 series is that Samsung might discontinue the standard Galaxy S26 model, leaving only the Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra in the lineup. This change could be a strategic response to market shifts, particularly as Chinese smartphone brands continue offering flagship-tier features at lower prices.

A report from TechRadar suggests that Samsung may simplify its lineup to focus on larger-screen, high-performance devices while eliminating mid-range premium options that overlap with the Galaxy A-series and FE models.

New Features and Design Innovations

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to introduce some groundbreaking features, including:

1. Under-Display Selfie Camera

Samsung is reportedly working on a next-generation under-display selfie camera, which would eliminate the need for a punch-hole cutout on the front display. This would provide a true full-screen experience without any interruptions.

While under-display cameras have been used in Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, previous implementations have suffered from lower image quality. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature an improved under-display camera, potentially using new pixel technology to maintain image sharpness and brightness.

Source: Yahoo News

2. A Return to the ‘Note’ Branding?

Another major rumor suggests that Samsung may rebrand the Galaxy S26 Ultra as the ‘Galaxy S26 Note’, bringing back the beloved Galaxy Note series branding. This would align with Samsung’s strategy of emphasizing S Pen functionality, which has become a defining feature of the Ultra models.

While this change hasn’t been confirmed, reports indicate that Samsung may consider renaming the Ultra lineup to further distinguish it from the standard S-series models.

Source: Gadgets360

3. Brighter and More Efficient Display

Samsung is expected to introduce a more power-efficient and brighter AMOLED display for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This could include:

• Higher peak brightness (potentially exceeding 3000 nits for better outdoor visibility)
• LTPO 3.0 technology for improved power efficiency and smoother adaptive refresh rates
• Better color accuracy and HDR performance

Given Samsung’s history of leading display technology, the S26 Ultra is likely to feature the best smartphone display yet.

4. 200MP Periscope Telephoto Camera

The Galaxy S26 Ultra could feature a new 200MP periscope zoom camera, an upgrade over the 100MP and 50MP periscope lenses seen in previous models. This would offer:

• Enhanced zoom clarity, possibly up to 150x digital zoom
• Improved low-light performance with larger pixel binning technology
• AI-enhanced image processing for sharper details

Source: Gadgets360

5. Revolutionary Battery Technology

Samsung is rumored to be working on silicon-carbon batteries for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a major upgrade over traditional lithium-ion batteries. These new batteries could:

• Increase energy density by 10-15%
• Allow for a larger capacity (around 5,750mAh) without increasing size
• Provide faster charging speeds with improved heat management

If these reports are accurate, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could see a significant boost in battery life, making it one of the longest-lasting flagships on the market.

Source: PhoneArena

Based on past releases, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will likely be available in:

• The U.S. (Samsung.com, Best Buy, major carriers)
• Europe
• South Korea
• India and other global markets

Pre-orders would likely begin immediately after the official launch event, with shipments starting within two to three weeks.

Final Thoughts

While the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is still nearly a year away, leaks suggest it could be one of the biggest smartphone upgrades in years. With a next-gen display, powerful camera system, longer battery life, and potential rebranding to the Note series, it could set a new benchmark for premium smartphones.

However, these are early leaks and rumors, so take them with a grain of salt. For the most accurate information, stay tuned for official announcements from Samsung.