Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S26 Ultra alongside the full Galaxy S26 lineup on February 25. Yet at this point, nearly every major detail surrounding the new flagship generation has already surfaced through leaks.

From design language and detailed hardware specifications to special features and official color options, there seems to be very little left to imagine.

But in the world of technology, there is always the possibility that a few compelling upgrades have managed to stay out of the rumor cycle. And it may be precisely these hidden elements that make the Galaxy S26 Ultra far more exciting than fans currently anticipate.

Below are seven upgrades that could realistically appear, even though they have yet to be clearly confirmed.

A brighter display powered by a new OLED generation

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to adopt the new OLED M14 panel, marking Samsung’s first major display technology leap in years. Previous Galaxy S24 and S25 models continued using the M13 generation, so the shift to M14 could bring meaningful improvements.

The new panel is not only expected to be more energy efficient, but also capable of reaching significantly higher brightness levels. This means the Galaxy S26 Ultra could surpass its predecessor in peak brightness, a critical factor for outdoor visibility.

In fact, the OnePlus 15 has reportedly used this panel and achieved nearly 3,500 nits, according to PhoneArena, an extremely impressive figure.

If Samsung optimizes the technology effectively, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could feature one of the brightest smartphone displays ever released.

Faster NAND memory to prepare for the AI era

Read and write speeds play a decisive role in how “fast” a phone feels in daily use.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra already supports the highly capable UFS 4.0 standard, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra could take things a step further with UFS 4.1.

The newer standard is not only faster but also more stable, particularly beneficial for heavy multitasking and on-device AI processing.

UFS 4.1 has already appeared on several premium smartphones, making its adoption by Samsung entirely plausible.

Looking further ahead, Samsung has announced plans to commercialize UFS 5.0 in 2027, a standard that could double I/O speeds to meet growing AI processing demands. If the Galaxy S26 Ultra upgrades its storage now, it would position the device as more future-proof.

A more efficient cooling system

Globally, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, currently Qualcomm’s most powerful chip. However, greater power often comes with higher heat output, increasing the risk of performance throttling under sustained loads.

An improved cooling system, particularly a larger vapor chamber, could help manage heat more effectively. When temperatures remain stable, performance can be sustained for longer periods, especially during demanding gaming sessions, 8K video recording, or real-time AI processing.

This is the kind of silent upgrade that rarely dominates headlines but has a substantial impact on real-world experience.

Enhanced anti-reflective coating

The Galaxy S Ultra series introduced anti-reflective coating starting with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra may further refine this technology.

Combined with higher brightness, improved anti-reflection and a software-based privacy display mode, Samsung could deliver its most legible screen yet, particularly under harsh lighting or in environments with multiple reflective surfaces.

It is a subtle enhancement, but one that can make a tangible difference in everyday use.

A dedicated AI processor

The Galaxy S26 lineup is widely expected to place artificial intelligence at the center of the user experience. Integrating a dedicated AI processor would therefore be a logical move.

While the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 already offers strong AI capabilities, specialized hardware would reduce the workload on the CPU and GPU.

This approach not only improves processing efficiency but also reduces power consumption, translating into better battery life.

In the era of on-device AI, such an upgrade could prove to be strategically significant.

Improved image processing, especially for video

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is already regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful camera smartphones available. Still, there remains room for refinement, particularly in dynamic range, zoom performance and low-light photography.

More importantly, video recording continues to be an area where Samsung faces strong competition, with some rivals delivering more consistent results.

Samsung has repeatedly demonstrated that algorithmic tuning alone can significantly enhance camera performance without altering hardware. If the Galaxy S26 Ultra benefits from further image processing optimization, the photographic experience could take a substantial step forward.

More striking color options

Standard color variants of the Galaxy S26 Ultra have already leaked, but many observers find them somewhat muted and understated. Historically, however, Samsung often introduces exclusive online-only colors, where the company showcases greater creativity.

These special editions tend to feature brighter, more distinctive tones that give the device stronger personality. Since no information has yet surfaced about these variants, Samsung still has room to surprise at the final moment.

Users may feel they already know nearly everything about the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Yet it remains intriguing to believe that a few surprises are still being carefully kept behind closed doors.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra may ultimately prove to be more than a routine upgrade - potentially a more meaningful leap than current rumors suggest.

Hai Phong