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 about the new flagship generation appears to have leaked.

From design language and hardware configuration to special features and official color options, there seems little left to the imagination.

But in the world of technology, there is always room for surprise. A few meaningful enhancements may still be hidden behind the swirl of rumors. And those “unseen” elements could make the Galaxy S26 Ultra far more compelling than fans currently expect.

Below are seven potential upgrades that remain unconfirmed but entirely plausible.

Brighter display with a new OLED generation

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to adopt Samsung’s new M14 OLED panel, marking the first significant display technology leap in several years. Previous Galaxy S24 and S25 models relied on the M13 generation, so a transition to M14 could bring noticeable improvements.

Beyond improved power efficiency, the new panel may deliver significantly higher peak brightness. That would give the S26 Ultra an advantage over its predecessor, especially in outdoor visibility.

Notably, the OnePlus 15 has already used this panel and reportedly reached nearly 3,500 nits, according to PhoneArena - an impressive benchmark.

If properly optimized, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could feature one of the brightest smartphone displays ever released.

Faster NAND storage for the AI era

Real-world speed perception often depends on storage read and write performance.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra already introduced UFS 4.0, a very fast standard. However, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may step up to UFS 4.1.

The new standard promises not only higher speeds but also improved stability, particularly useful for heavy multitasking and on-device AI processing.

UFS 4.1 has begun appearing on premium smartphones, making Samsung’s adoption logical. Looking ahead, Samsung has revealed plans to commercialize UFS 5.0 by 2027, potentially doubling I/O performance to meet increasing AI demands. An early storage upgrade would future-proof the S26 Ultra even further.

Enhanced cooling system

Globally, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, currently the company’s most powerful chip.

Greater performance often brings higher thermal output. Without efficient heat management, throttling can occur during gaming, 8K video recording or real-time AI tasks.

A larger vapor chamber or improved cooling design could help maintain stable temperatures and sustained performance. While such an upgrade may be subtle on paper, it can significantly improve everyday experience.

Improved anti-reflective coating

Since the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung’s Ultra models have featured anti-reflective coatings. The Galaxy S26 Ultra may refine this technology further.

Combined with higher brightness and enhanced privacy display software, improved anti-reflection could make the screen easier to read in strong or complex lighting conditions.

It is a small refinement that could deliver a meaningful usability difference.

Dedicated AI processing hardware

The Galaxy S26 lineup is expected to center heavily on AI-driven experiences. Integrating a dedicated AI processor would align with that strategy.

Although the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 already offers strong AI capabilities, specialized hardware could offload tasks from the CPU and GPU.

This approach would enhance efficiency and reduce power consumption, ultimately improving battery life. In an era increasingly defined by on-device AI, such an upgrade could be strategically important.

Better image processing, especially for video

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is already regarded as one of the most versatile smartphone camera systems available. Yet improvements remain possible, particularly in dynamic range, zoom consistency and low-light photography.

More importantly, video performance remains an area where some competitors maintain an edge in stability and processing.

Samsung has repeatedly demonstrated that algorithm optimization alone can substantially elevate camera quality without hardware changes. If the Galaxy S26 Ultra receives refined image processing, photography and videography could take another significant step forward.

More distinctive color options

Standard colorways for the Galaxy S26 Ultra have reportedly surfaced, though many observers find them somewhat subdued.

Samsung traditionally releases online-exclusive colors that are more vibrant and distinctive. These limited editions often reflect greater creativity and personality.

Since no additional hues have leaked yet, Samsung may still have a surprise waiting at launch.

Consumers may believe they already know nearly everything about the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Yet the possibility of hidden refinements remains intriguing.

The S26 Ultra could prove not merely an incremental update, but a more ambitious leap than current rumors suggest.

Hai Phong