Last week has been pretty wild in the smartphone world. On one hand, we’ve had all the hype around the launch of the iPhone 17 series, and on the other, plenty of chatter about the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max redesigns (with those rear screens making headlines). Now it’s Samsung’s turn to step into the spotlight, as the Galaxy S26 Ultra has leaked in renders that give us our clearest look yet at the Korean giant’s next flagship. So, let’s dive in.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Rumors
Design and Display
Through the newest leaked renders, it fairly appears that the Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t seem to reinvent itself, not by any stretch, but it definitely looks more polished than the S25 Ultra. The bezels are now slimmer, which makes the 6.89-inch display feel even larger, even though the actual size barely changes from last year’s model. Samsung will almost certainly market it as a 6.9-inch screen, just like before.
The design is also noticeably curvier, both along the edges and in the corners. If you’ve been following Samsung’s design language, you’ll notice the S25 Ultra leaned a little flat and boxy, but the S26 Ultra looks more organic. Even from the side profile, the edges now form more of a pill-shaped curve rather than the flat sides we’re used to.
And then there’s the screen tech itself. Samsung’s display surprises are still under wraps, but leaks hint at features like Flex Magic Pixel, which uses AI to tweak viewing angles and possibly even boost privacy, and CoE tech, which should improve brightness, outdoor visibility, and power efficiency. Moving on to specific display specs, we are absolutely unsure about what this latest flagship will feature. Last year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra featured Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, so my guess is the same for this as well. And talking about materials, Samsung will likely continue with the Titanium, even though Apple ditched it this year.
Will there be an S Pen?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra was previously rumored to ditch the S Pen to make room for a bigger battery or new features like Qi2 wireless charging, but from recent leaks, it looks like it is set to keep the beloved built-in S Pen. Recent leaks from tipster Ice Universe have confirmed that the phone will feature a dedicated S Pen slot on the bottom. And according to the leaks, the S Pen could see some upgrades too, a new hexagonal shape, improved digitizer to reduce magnetic interference, and better compatibility with foldables and magnetic accessories.
Cameras
Samsung’s Ultra series has always been about cameras, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra looks set to keep that tradition. The main 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor is rumored to feature a wider f/1.4 aperture, up from f/1.7, which could let in about 47% more light for sharper shots and better low-light performance. It’s also expected to get AI-powered processing through the upgraded ProVisual Engine, including 8K 60fps video. The 50MP ultrawide might get a brighter f/1.9 aperture, while the 50MP 5x periscope telephoto could go up to f/2.9, with the AI-assisted zoom reach up to 100x, featuring a new laser autofocus system rumored across all lenses. Even the 12MP front camera may get laser AF for portraits.
The 3x telephoto lens, though, could be a bit controversial. New leaks suggest it might use a 12MP sensor, possibly cropped down to 10MP, which could hurt low-light performance compared to competitors. The same leaker, Ice Universe, even called it a “downgrade,” so it will be interesting to see how it performs in real life. Early rumors about a 200MP periscope or variable-aperture main lens have died down, with Samsung likely sticking to the existing sensors to save space for a slightly bigger battery.
On the design side of the camera module, the leak shows us that Samsung is about to switch things up with a single raised camera module instead of the separate floating rings from the S25 Ultra. The triple camera plus periscope setup is still there, but the unified module makes the back look cleaner and more like Samsung’s midrange Galaxy A phones.
What Else We Know
In terms of lineup, Samsung is expected to go with three models: Ultra, Pro (the new name for the standard model), and Edge. The Plus variant might be scrapped altogether. As for timing, the launch window is rumored for January 2026, which would fit Samsung’s usual cycle.
Samsung’s Silicon-Carbon Battery Plans?
Samsung was rumored to be developing silicon-carbon batteries to improve power efficiency while maintaining a slim design at the same. But it seem that we this device will not be featuring the 7500 mAh Silicon Carbon battery as previously told.
Although it’s about time for Samsung to go big on batteries because Chinese smartphone manufacturers have already started adopting Si/C batteries. Almost every other Chinese smartphones, from budget to flagship now feature batteries that range anywhere from 6500 mAh to 8500 mAh as well.
- Also, read
- Samsung introduces a money-back scheme with Galaxy S25 AI Subscription Club!
- Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series could look a lot different with a “Pro” model
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge showcased with a superslim body and dual cameras
Performance
While its too early to tell, the Galaxy S26 Ultra might feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite series. Previously, the chipset that could be used in the Galaxy’s upcoming flagship series was rumored to be either of Exynos 2600 or Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip. But with the latest teaser of Xiaomi 17 Pro series, it appears that the SD 8 Elite 2 will instead be called 8 Elite Gen 5. Similarly, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could be paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Price in Nepal and Availability
Samsung has not officially confirmed the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s pricing or release date. If launched in Nepal, it is expected to start at no less than NPR 190,000, based on current flagship pricing trends
- Meanwhile, check out our review of the OnePlus 13
