Small upgrades

According to rumors, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will retain the same 6.9-inch QHD display as its predecessor. The only notable change is the use of a new M14 OLED panel with more advanced materials.

PhoneArena reports that the key upgrade lies in the processor: the S26 Ultra is expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 - Qualcomm’s most powerful Android chip for next year.

However, RAM capacities will remain unchanged at 12GB and 16GB, along with storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB - without any expansion.

Camera resolution also stays the same. In fact, the 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom may use a smaller sensor, potentially discouraging users from upgrading.

The battery is expected to retain its 5,000mAh capacity, with charging speed rumored to increase from 45W to 65W. The device may also be slightly thinner - shrinking from 8.2mm to 7.9mm - and lighter, dropping from 218g to 214g.

Specs don’t tell the full story

At first glance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra seems like a light refresh of the S25 Ultra. But the real upgrades lie in the details that often go unnoticed.

The M14 OLED panel represents a major enhancement. This next-gen display tech is expected to increase brightness, reduce power consumption, and extend screen lifespan.

Combined with the rumored Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology, the display could be thinner and significantly brighter.

On the performance front, although RAM size remains unchanged, Samsung is reportedly switching to LPDDR5X memory with speeds up to 10.7Gbps.

This marks a meaningful leap, promising not just faster responsiveness but also improved image and camera processing.

Though the camera megapixels remain the same, aperture upgrades are likely. The 200MP main sensor and 50MP 5x zoom lens are rumored to get wider apertures, improving low-light photography.

These subtle hardware tweaks - paired with software enhancements - could lead to noticeably better image quality.

In terms of design, the thinner 7.9mm body may offer a more comfortable grip. However, the more compact frame may have made it harder for Samsung to fit a larger battery or improved camera sensors.

The price question

What may concern users more than specs is the price. Despite being a modest upgrade, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to cost more than the S25 Ultra, which already started at a steep $1,299.99.

With rising component costs, not only Samsung but other smartphone makers are likely to adjust flagship pricing. If price hikes become a market-wide trend, users may become more accepting.

Still, for a device with relatively minor changes, a higher price will undoubtedly affect the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s appeal.

While the phone does offer useful refinements - brighter screen, faster chip, higher-speed RAM, and optimized cameras - most of these upgrades are behind the scenes, not immediately visible to users.

In some cases, such as the smaller telephoto sensor, the experience might even feel downgraded.

If prices do rise, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may best serve those upgrading from older models - not current S25 Ultra owners.

For users hoping for a leap in design or camera innovation, it may be worth waiting for the Galaxy S27 Ultra - or a bold new direction from Samsung in the years to come.

Hai Phong