The Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch in January 2026, featuring three models: Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Ultra model remains the crown jewel, packed with the most significant upgrades, targeting power users and early adopters.

The Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch in January 2026, featuring three models: Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Ultra model remains the crown jewel, packed with the most significant upgrades, targeting power users and early adopters.

According to the latest leaks and reports, here are the five most exciting improvements we can expect from the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

A bigger battery with faster charging

Sources from PhoneArena reveal the Galaxy S26 Ultra will come with a 5,200mAh battery, a modest but valuable 4% increase over the 5,000mAh cell in the S25 Ultra.

Although Samsung had reportedly considered 5,400mAh or even 5,500mAh options during development, it opted for a more balanced solution to retain a slim profile.

Fast charging also sees a leap forward. The S26 Ultra is rumored to support 65W wired charging - a notable jump from the previous 45W standard. Wireless charging at 25W is expected to comply with the new Qi2.2 standard, ensuring more consistent speeds and reduced dependence on optimized docks.

In a notable design shift, the device may also include built-in magnets, eliminating the need for MagSafe-style cases to attach accessories.

The largest selfie punch-hole ever on a Galaxy Ultra

The S26 Ultra is likely to sport a 4mm punch-hole front camera - the largest ever on a Galaxy Ultra device.

This design tweak isn’t aimed at improving resolution, but rather widening the field of view - from around 80 degrees on the S25 Ultra to about 85 degrees on the new model.

A broader field of view means better group selfies and easier vlogging without having to extend your arm as far - an upgrade clearly aimed at content creators.

On the back, Samsung may ditch the individual camera lenses and shift to a pill-shaped camera module, offering a fresh visual identity after several generations of similar designs.

Display revolution: OLED M14 and COE technology

Samsung is planning major display upgrades that could make the S26 Ultra one of the world’s best smartphone screens.

First, the new M14 OLED material will make the display both thinner and significantly brighter - great for viewing in sunlight or high-glare conditions.

Second, Samsung is expected to introduce Color on Encapsulation (COE) for the first time on a non-foldable phone. Previously used only on foldables, COE reduces screen reflections and enhances anti-glare performance, making the display more legible in all lighting environments.

A standout feature is the AI-powered private display. This feature can narrow the viewing angle when sensitive content is shown, shielding the screen from curious onlookers in public - an increasingly relevant concern in today’s mobile-first lifestyle.

Next-gen Snapdragon chip for faster, smarter performance

The Galaxy S26 Ultra will almost certainly be powered by Qualcomm’s next premium chip, likely to be named Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, depending on Qualcomm’s naming convention.

Built on a 3nm process, the new chip promises significant gains in performance and energy efficiency, particularly in AI processing, gaming graphics, and high-intensity tasks.

This chipset will be critical in helping the S26 Ultra compete against rivals like Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max and other 2026 Android flagships.

Enhanced cooling system for long-lasting power

To maintain sustained performance, Samsung is expected to expand the size of the vapour chamber cooling system in the S26 Ultra.

This will help the phone stay cooler during extended gaming sessions, 4K/8K video recording, or when running AI-heavy applications.

Efficient thermal management is becoming increasingly important as smartphones take on heavier workloads, and overheating can undermine both performance and user comfort.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be Samsung’s most advanced Android flagship yet, with a carefully curated mix of battery, display, camera, processor, and thermal improvements. If these upgrades materialize as rumored, the S26 Ultra could define what it truly means to be “Ultra” in the 2026 smartphone landscape.

Hai Phong