Samsung S26 major leaks and expected features
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Every Major Leak & Expected Feature (2026)

By Tech Crazy Guy | Last Updated: February 12, 2026

🧠 MadTech’s Personal Take: The "Brain" Era

Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra line has always been about excess. But with the S26 Ultra, the story is shifting from raw specs to Agentic Integration. It's not just a phone anymore; it's a local AI server in your pocket. This is the first device that truly feels designed for the 2026 Tech Revolution.

Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra line has always been about excess: the biggest display, the best camera, the most complete spec sheet Samsung can ship in a given year. With the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the conversation in 2026 is shifting slightly. Yes, it’s still about raw power and camera upgrades—but the real story, if these leaks are accurate, is how the phone becomes the “brain” for everything else you own.

In this article, I’ll walk through what’s rumored, what it realistically means in day‑to‑day use, and where I think Samsung is genuinely innovating versus just iterating. Everything here is based on leaks, industry patterns, and Samsung’s recent moves—so treat it as an informed preview, not a final spec sheet.

The “Heart” of the Machine: Processor Evolution

If there’s one component that defines how long a flagship phone feels fast, it’s the processor. For 2026, the big debate is the same one we’ve seen for years: Snapdragon vs. Exynos.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 “For Galaxy”

According to multiple leaks, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to use a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 “For Galaxy” chip globally, built on a 3nm process. That “For Galaxy” branding isn’t just marketing fluff; in previous generations it has meant slightly higher clocks, tighter integration with Samsung’s software, and some extra AI tuning.

In my opinion, Samsung sticking with Snapdragon for the Ultra makes sense for two reasons:

  1. Sustained gaming performance: The Ultra is the phone reviewers stress-test. If you want 3D games at max settings for long sessions, heat and sustained clocks matter more than just peak benchmark numbers. Historically, Snapdragon has had the edge here.
  2. On-device AI and LLMs: The S26 Ultra is being positioned as a local AI workhorse. That means the NPU (neural processing unit) and memory bandwidth on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 matter as much as the CPU/GPU.

If Qualcomm delivers the generational improvement we’re expecting on 3nm, this chip should bring better efficiency under load, higher sustained frame rates, and faster AI inference for things like live transcription, photo editing, and “Proactive AI” features. This is especially relevant for enthusiasts who are starting to use their terminals as AI superpowers.

A 3D technical exploded view of a smartphone's internal hardware, highlighting a large 1-inch camera glass sensor and a gold-etched 3nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor on a clean white background.

The Exynos Challenge

Samsung, of course, is still heavily invested in Exynos. Leaks suggest that other S26 models (non‑Ultra) may rely more heavily on new Exynos silicon in certain regions.

In my view, the S26 Ultra staying Snapdragon is a strategic choice: Samsung can showcase the “best possible Galaxy AI experience” on one platform; it avoids the PR headache of mixed chipsets in the most expensive flagship; and it gives Samsung room to refine Exynos in less critical SKUs before re‑introducing it to the Ultra line—if they ever do. In other words, the S26 Ultra looks like Qualcomm’s global showcase as much as it is Samsung’s.

Memory & Local AI: Why 16–24GB of RAM Matters

One of the biggest shifts in 2026 flagships is the move from cloud‑first AI to device‑first AI. Samsung has made a lot of noise about “Galaxy AI,” and if the rumors are accurate, the S26 Ultra will take this a step further.

Leaked configurations point to 16GB of RAM as the new baseline, with possible 24GB options for top‑tier models. That’s laptop‑level memory capacity, and it’s not just for bragging rights. Here’s why I think this matters:

  • Local LLMs (Large Language Models): Running smaller, optimized language models directly on the device reduces latency and improves privacy. But those models are memory‑hungry.
  • Multitasking with AI in the background: Think about having live transcription running, background photo enhancement, a couple of heavy apps in RAM, and an XR device tethered—all at once. That’s the scenario Samsung is building for.

In my opinion, if Samsung really wants “Galaxy AI” to feel instant and reliable, $12GB is no longer enough at the Ultra level. 16–24GB starts to make sense.

A hand holding a slim smartphone in a sunlit modern kitchen. The screen displays a proactive AI notification suggesting an early departure due to heavy traffic, showing a clean and intuitive user interface.

Galaxy AI 3.0: From Reactive to “Proactive AI”

The software story for the S26 Ultra seems to revolve around Galaxy AI 3.0, with a key new concept: “Proactive AI.” The idea, based on leaks, is that the phone starts anticipating what you need instead of only reacting to your commands.

What Proactive AI Could Look Like

Some examples of how this might play out in daily use:

  • Smart scheduling & time management: Your phone notices that you always join a weekly meeting late because of traffic and proactively suggests leaving earlier or dialing in remotely. It might reorder your calendar around predicted travel times, not just event start times.
  • Smarter battery and performance tuning: Instead of generic “battery saver” modes, the S26 Ultra could see that you have a long day ahead, adjust brightness, limit background activity, and pre‑download what you’ll likely need on the move.
  • Context‑aware suggestions: If you frequently edit photos after a trip, the phone might auto‑flag your latest travel album, apply suggested edits locally, and have them waiting when you open the gallery.

The key point, in my view, is on‑device context. Because more of this runs locally (thanks to Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and big RAM), there’s less dependence on the cloud and better privacy—something Samsung has been pushing against competitors.

Design: A New “Slim” Language and Better Ergonomics

A close-up side view of a slim titanium smartphone. The image highlights the thin refined edges and a specialized anti-reflective matte display that shows zero glare under bright studio lights.

One clear pain point with recent Ultras (S24/S25 era) has been ergonomics. The angular design and flat sides looked premium, but they weren’t the most comfortable long‑term. Leaks suggest the S26 Ultra will adopt a slimmer profile with slightly more rounded corners, softening that industrial look.

What This Likely Means

  • Thinner chassis: Don’t expect a huge weight drop, but the in‑hand feel should be less “slab” and more “refined note.” For people who use their phone one‑handed or for long reading sessions, this is a quality‑of‑life win.
  • Curvature without going back to full “edge”: My expectation is subtle curvature—not the extreme curved displays of older Galaxy devices, but just enough to make swiping and grip more natural.

It’s a design direction shift: the Ultra is supposed to feel like a serious tool, but not a brick.

Display: 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED 3X with Better Visibility

On paper, the S26 Ultra display is expected to be a 6.8‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 3X panel. That alone doesn’t sound revolutionary, but there are a few key details worth noting.

New Anti‑Reflective Coating

Leaks mention a new anti‑reflective coating for 2026, which I think might be one of those small upgrades that feels bigger in daily use than the spec sheet suggests. If done well, you get better readability in harsh sunlight, fewer annoying reflections indoors, and a “mattish” look without losing contrast. You can safely assume the usual high-end traits: LTPO variable refresh (1–120Hz), high peak brightness, and excellent HDR performance.

Camera: The 1‑Inch Sensor Leap

For years, Samsung has leaned heavily on computational photography. With the S26 Ultra, the rumor that excites me most is a new 1‑inch main camera sensor. This puts it in direct competition with the photography beasts we saw in our Xiaomi 2026 review.

Why a 1‑Inch Sensor Matters

Moving to a 1‑inch‑class sensor brings much better low‑light performance, as bigger pixels mean cleaner images at night. You also get natural bokeh—that blurred background “portrait look” becomes more optical and less software-dependent. Finally, higher dynamic range gives Samsung’s algorithms a better starting point for HDR processing. If Samsung pairs this with its usual multi‑frame processing, the S26 Ultra could close the gap with dedicated compact cameras.

Satellite Connectivity & Battery Efficiency

One of the more practical upgrades rumored is full two‑way satellite messaging for emergencies. It’s focused on SOS scenarios (hiking, remote travel) and keeps Samsung competitive with Apple.

Battery & Charging: Efficiency Over Capacity

Because of the new, slimmer design, leaks indicate that Samsung will likely stick with a 5,000mAh battery rather than jumping to 6,000mAh. Paired with the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, real‑world battery life could still improve. Samsung also appears to be sticking with 45W wired and 25W wireless charging, prioritizing battery health over years and thermal safety.

What Not to Expect: Managing Expectations

Leaked specs also tell us what won’t be changing. For one, the microSD slot is not expected to return. Samsung is pushing higher internal storage tiers (and ASPs) instead. Also, don't expect a "perfect" under-display camera yet; leaks point to keeping a traditional punch-hole selfie camera to ensure high quality for video conferencing and vlogging.

The Real “New Thing”: Seamless Ecosystem Integration

The biggest shift is how Samsung wants the S26 Ultra to function as the “brain” of your entire ecosystem. Rather than treating the phone as a standalone powerhouse, Samsung is positioning it as:

  • The local AI server for your smart home.
  • The compute backbone for your XR (Extended Reality) glasses.
  • The coordination hub for your watch, tablet, and TV.

This is where those big RAM numbers and strong NPUs really matter. In my opinion, this ecosystem angle is more interesting long‑term than any single spec.

S26 Ultra “Cheat Sheet” (Leaked Highlights)

  • 🚀 Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 “For Galaxy” (3nm)
  • 🧠 RAM: 16GB base / 24GB top-tier
  • 📸 Main Camera: New 1-inch sensor upgrade
  • 🔌 Charging: 45W Wired / 25W Wireless
  • 💰 Estimated Price: Starting around $1,299 USD

FAQ: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) ❓

When is the Galaxy S26 Ultra release date?

We expect a mid-January 2026 unveiling with shipping by the end of the month.

How powerful is the NPU in the S26 Ultra?

The Gen 5 NPU is rumored to deliver a 40% jump in AI operations per second (TOPS), specifically tuned for running local LLMs like Gemini Nano 2.

Is the 24GB RAM model confirmed?

While not officially confirmed, multiple supply chain leaks point to a 24GB tier specifically for enthusiasts and local AI power users.

Should You Be Excited? 🧬

In my opinion, the Galaxy S26 Ultra isn’t about shocking, one‑line headline features. Instead, it looks like a carefully stacked set of upgrades: a more efficient Snapdragon platform, laptop‑class RAM, and a serious camera hardware leap. If you’re on something like an S21 Ultra or older, the S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a very compelling upgrade.

Stay locked to MadTech for more live leaks. Are you upgrading? Let me know on X @roodut!