The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is emerging from the shadows with a design that blends aggressive styling with subtle refinements. Leaked renders of the flagship in a striking cobalt violet hue reveal a device that prioritizes visual impact while addressing some of the S25 Ultra’s more polarizing design choices. Under the hood, the phone appears to double down on computational photography, with a camera system that includes a 200MP main sensor, a 5x periscope zoom, and a trio of supporting lenses—all while maintaining a familiar but slightly softened silhouette.
The most noticeable change is the rounded corners, which soften the S25 Ultra’s sharp edges into a more ergonomic curve. The front camera cutout has also been refined, though the overall look remains unmistakably premium. Samsung’s decision to drop Qi2 magnets—previously rumored for MagSafe compatibility—is a notable omission, limiting accessory ecosystem integration for this generation.
A camera system built for extremes
The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s imaging capabilities appear to be its standout feature. At its core is a 200MP ISOCELL HP2 main sensor, paired with a brighter f/1.5 aperture for improved low-light performance. A 50MP ultrawide and a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto (with an f/2.9 aperture) round out the primary trio, while a 12MP selfie camera handles front-facing photography.
These sensors are backed by Samsung’s latest computational imaging tech, promising advancements in neural framing, night mode, and zoom capabilities. Benchmarks suggest the Exynos 2600 chip—fabricated on a 2nm process—will handle the heavy lifting, though comparisons with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 remain competitive, with some tests showing up to 9% performance gains in specific workloads.
Battery, storage, and pricing
The device is expected to feature a 5,000mAh battery, though some sources suggest a slightly larger 5,200mAh variant may exist. Storage options are likely to start at 256GB, with pricing in France already leaking as high as €1,969 (~$2,324) for the top-tier model. This positions the S26 Ultra as a premium device, targeting users who demand cutting-edge hardware without compromise.
Key specs
- Processor: Exynos 2600 (2nm)
- Display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X (estimated, no official confirmation)
- Rear cameras: 200MP (f/1.5), 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 5x periscope (f/2.9), 12MP 3x telephoto
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh (or 5,200mAh)
- Storage: Starting at 256GB
- Connectivity: USB-C, 5G, S Pen support
- Color options: Cobalt Violet, Black Shadow, White Shadow, Galactic Blue
- Pricing (France, 256GB): S26 Ultra: €1,469–€1,969 (~$1,680–$2,324)
While the Galaxy S26 Ultra retains the S Pen and USB-C port, the absence of Qi2 magnets may disappoint users who relied on MagSafe accessories. The device’s camera system, however, positions it as a contender for professional-grade mobile photography, with sensors and software designed to push boundaries in low light and zoom scenarios.
Availability remains unconfirmed, but leaks suggest Samsung will officially unveil the series in early March, with pre-orders following shortly after.
