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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
S26 Ultra is Samsung’s current 6.9-inch AI flagship: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, 200MP F1.4 wide, 3x + 5x optical teles, 5,000 mAh typical, 60W-class 75%-in-30-minutes claim, Super Fast Wireless 25W, Privacy Display, and a built-in S Pen.
Product images
Placeholder — OEM press not licensedSamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Credit: GadgetShowdown labeled placeholder (not a Samsung asset). View official product image
Studio still only. Manufacturer press JPEGs are not hosted here. See the official product page for the real product photo.
Placeholder — OEM press not licensedSamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Credit: GadgetShowdown labeled placeholder (not a Samsung asset). View official product image
Studio still only. Manufacturer press JPEGs are not hosted here. See the official product page for the real product photo.
In short
S26 Ultra is Samsung’s current 6.9-inch AI flagship: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, 200MP F1.4 wide, 3x + 5x optical teles, 5,000 mAh typical, 60W-class 75%-in-30-minutes claim, Super Fast Wireless 25W, Privacy Display, and a built-in S Pen. Buy it for the Ultra toolkit and Android customization — not for a published pixel-grid number (Newsroom says QHD+, not 3120×1440). US Newsroom footnote 21: seven OS upgrades and seven years of security.
Who it is for
- Android buyers who want the current Galaxy Ultra toolkit: 6.9-inch QHD+ panel, built-in S Pen (US product FAQ), 200MP wide, 3x and 5x optical teles, and Privacy Display.
- People who need a published mAh figure (5,000 typical / 4,855 rated) and a 60W Super Fast Charging 3.0 claim rather than Apple’s hours-only table.
- US shoppers on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy SKU. Newsroom names that platform for Ultra; do not assume an Exynos Ultra exists without a later Samsung page.
- S25 Ultra / S24 Ultra owners who want the sheet-to-sheet hop Samsung printed: slimmer 7.9 mm / 214 g body, F1.4 wide, Privacy Display, and the 8 Elite Gen 5 + larger vapor chamber story.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who wants a compact ~6.3-inch Pro. That is iPhone 18 Pro or Pixel 11 Pro, not this 163.6 × 78.1 mm slab.
- Buyers who need Apple’s iMessage / FaceTime / Continuity stack. S26 Ultra is Android 16 + One UI 8.5.
- People shopping from a Samsung page that still lists Exynos on S26 / S26+. Ultra’s Newsroom AP row is Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy only — still confirm the US box.
- Readers who want a published exact pixel resolution. Samsung’s Newsroom table says QHD+. The US compare FAQ does not print 3120×1440. We do not invent it.
Key differentiators
- World’s first built-in Privacy Display on a phone, per Samsung Newsroom / US compare — hardware pixel-level side-view limiting, not a stick-on film.
- Camera table: 50MP UW F1.9, 200MP wide F1.4 (2x optical-quality), 10MP 3x F2.4, 50MP 5x optical / 10x optical-quality F2.9, 12MP front F2.2; 100x digital / Space Zoom on the US compare footnotes.
- 5,000 mAh typical, Super Fast Charging 3.0 to ~75% in 30 minutes with a 60W adapter, Super Fast Wireless Charging, Wireless PowerShare, up to 31 hours video playback (US compare / key specs).
- Built-in S Pen (US product FAQ) plus Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, IP68, Armor Aluminum + Gorilla Armor 2 (US compare FAQ).
Caveats
- Every numeric battery, brightness, zoom, and CPU/GPU/NPU-percent line is a Samsung claim (many are “vs S25 Ultra”). GadgetShowdown has not lab-tested S26 Ultra.
- US `/smartphones/galaxy-s26-ultra/specs/` returned 404 on 2026-09-19. The specification table used here is the Global Newsroom article. Re-pull if Samsung publishes a live US spec module.
- US Newsroom footnote 21 now prints seven OS upgrades and seven years of security from the global launch date. Earlier Global extract named security years only — lock the US footnote.
- Samsung product photography is not hosted here. Do not scrape Newsroom or retailer JPEGs into public/.
Phone-category specs
Same rows on every phone page (iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel, OnePlus, foldables).
| Attribute | Value | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 6.9-inch QHD+ full rectangle; 6.7-inch accounting for rounded corners (actual viewable area is less) | Samsung Global Newsroom S26 specification table |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X; Vision booster; Privacy Display (Ultra). US compare FAQ also names Corning Gorilla Armor 2 | Samsung Newsroom; US compare FAQ |
| Display resolution | QHD+ (pixel grid not published on the Newsroom specification table, accessed 2026-09-19) | Samsung Global NewsroomDo not invent 3120×1440 from a prior Ultra. |
| Refresh rate | Adaptive 1–120Hz | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Peak brightness (OEM) | 2600 nits (peak) on the US Newsroom Ultra display row | Samsung US NewsroomUS Newsroom compact/Plus row prints the same 2600-nit peak. Earlier Global Newsroom extract omitted nits — lock the US table. |
| Always-On display | Not named on the Newsroom specification table (accessed 2026-09-19) | Samsung Global NewsroomOne UI typically includes an Always On Display toggle — do not invent a Hz/nits AOD claim. |
| Dimensions | 163.6 × 78.1 × 7.9 mm | Samsung Global NewsroomUS compare: thickness measured at the thinnest point, excluding the camera. |
| Weight | 214 g | Samsung Global NewsroomNewsroom: weight may vary by country or region. |
| Build materials | Armor Aluminum frame; Corning Gorilla Glass / Gorilla Armor 2 (US product + compare FAQ) | Samsung US product page; US compare FAQ |
| Finishes | Cobalt Violet, White, Black, Sky Blue; Samsung.com exclusives Pink Gold and Silver Shadow | Samsung Global Newsroom; UK specs pageColor availability varies by country or carrier. |
| Ingress / IP rating | IP68 — up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes; dust-tight | Samsung Global NewsroomSamsung lab conditions; resistance is not permanent. |
| Chip / SoC | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy (US / Newsroom. | Samsung Global NewsroomNewsroom’s S26 / S26+ row also lists Exynos 2600 as a possible AP by market. Ultra’s table row is Snapdragon-only. |
| RAM | 12GB (256GB and 512GB SKUs); 16GB (1TB SKU) | Samsung Global NewsroomNewsroom: memory option may vary by market. |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | Samsung Global NewsroomAvailability varies by carrier and country. |
| Rear cameras | 50MP ultra-wide F1.9; 200MP wide F1.4; 10MP telephoto F2.4 (3x optical); 50MP telephoto F2.9 (5x optical) | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Telephoto / zoom (OEM) | 3x optical; 5x optical; 2x and 10x optical-quality (Adaptive Pixel); 100x digital / Space Zoom on the US compare footnote | Samsung Newsroom; US compare footnoteSamsung: zoom past 10x may show deterioration. Do not paste a reseller “100x optical.” |
| Front camera | 12MP F2.2; Newsroom says the AI ISP now extends to the selfie camera | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Video (OEM) | 4K @ 120fps (Pro Video); 8K @ 30fps on the US Newsroom Ultra row. Named modes on Global: Nightography Video; Super Steady with a horizontal-lock option; first Galaxy to support APV (professional-grade video codec) | Samsung US Newsroom; Global NewsroomCompact/Plus US table is 4K @ 60fps / 8K @ 30fps. Lock 4K120 here. |
| Battery capacity (OEM) | 5,000 mAh typical; 4,855 mAh rated (IEC 61960 third-party lab typical-value method) | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Battery — OEM endurance | Up to 31 hours video playback (US key specs / compare FAQ; same figure as S25 Ultra on that FAQ) | Samsung US product page; US compare FAQSamsung internal 720p-on-device video test with Bluetooth earphones, LTE, default settings — not a typical-use hour row like Apple’s. |
| Charging — wired (OEM) | Super Fast Charging 3.0: up to 75% in around 30 minutes with 60W adapter (sold separately); QC2.0 and AFC/PD compatible | Samsung Global NewsroomLock 60W to Ultra. Newsroom’s S26 / S26+ rows are 25W / 45W stories. |
| Charging — wireless (OEM) | Super Fast Wireless Charging (up to 25W) (US Newsroom); Wireless PowerShare to listed Qi phones and Galaxy wearables (30% battery floor on the donor) | Samsung US NewsroomS26 compact US table is Fast Wireless 15W. S26+ is Super Fast Wireless 20W. Lock 25W here. Earlier Global Newsroom extract omitted the watt. |
| Operating system | Android 16 with One UI 8.5 at the Newsroom table | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Update policy (OEM) | Seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the global launch date (US Newsroom footnote 21) | Samsung US NewsroomEarlier Global extract named security years only. US Newsroom footnote 21 prints both. Series-wide, including compact/Plus. |
| Cellular | 5G and LTE (availability by market/carrier). US compare footnotes mention LTE and 5G Sub6 test conditions; mmWave not used in those battery tests | Samsung Global Newsroom; US compare footnotes |
| Wireless (Wi-Fi / Bluetooth) | Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v 6.0, UWB (US Newsroom Ultra row also names 5G sub6 + mmW) | Samsung US NewsroomWi-Fi 7 requires a Wi-Fi 7 router; availability varies. S26 compact US table is BT 5.4. |
| Ports / wired I/O | Not itemized as USB version/speed on the Newsroom specification table (accessed 2026-09-19) | Samsung Global NewsroomDo not invent USB 3.2 10Gb/s from a prior Ultra. |
| SIM | Not published | Samsung Global NewsroomConfirm nano-SIM vs eSIM on the US carrier SKU. Do not invent dual eSIM from iPhone’s sheet. |
| NFC / contactless payments | Samsung Wallet / Samsung Pay path is the Galaxy name — NFC is implied by Wallet but not printed as a standalone Newsroom spec row | Derived from Galaxy platform; Newsroom spec table omits a Wallet rowKeep the key. Do not write Apple Pay. |
| GNSS / GPS | Not published | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Biometrics | Not itemized on the Newsroom specification table (accessed 2026-09-19) | Samsung Global NewsroomDo not invent ultrasonic fingerprint + face unlock from a prior Ultra without a live spec row. |
| Other sensors | Not itemized on the Newsroom specification table (accessed 2026-09-19) | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Safety / incident alerts | Not published | Samsung Global NewsroomDo not copy Apple’s satellite list onto this phone. |
| US MSRP (launch) | From $1,299.99 before trade-in (US product page, accessed 2026-09-19) | Samsung US Galaxy S26 Ultra product pageStreet and carrier prices go stale. Newsroom did not print a US dollar MSRP in the spec table. |
| Price band | Flagship Ultra ($1,200–$1,400 US list) | Derived from $1,299.99 US page |
| Announced | 26 February 2026 (Samsung Global Newsroom, USA dateline) | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Availability | Pre-order from 25 February 2026 (Newsroom). US product page still selling as of 19 September 2026 | Samsung Global Newsroom; US product pageNewsroom did not print a single worldwide on-sale Friday in the extracted article body. |
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra extras
Unique to this line or SKU. Other phones keep the first table aligned and swap this extras list.
| Attribute | Value | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy Display | Built-in, pixel-level side-view limiting; portrait and landscape; optional auto-on for PIN/pattern and selected apps; Partial Screen Privacy for notifications; Maximum Privacy Protection mode | Samsung Global Newsroom; US compare FAQSamsung: some information may still be visible depending on angle or brightness. |
| S Pen | Built-in S Pen — “Does Galaxy S26 Ultra have a built-in S Pen? Yes” on the US product page FAQ | Samsung US Galaxy S26 Ultra product page |
| Vapor chamber | Redesigned vapor chamber with thermal interface material along the sides of the processor (Newsroom, vs S25 Ultra) | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| ProScaler / mDNIe | ProScaler image scaling on S26+ and Ultra; mDNIe with four times the processing precision vs previous generation (Newsroom) | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| APV video codec | First Galaxy device to support APV, described as a professional-grade codec for visually lossless edits | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Galaxy AI (named) | Now Nudge, Now Brief, Circle to Search with Google, upgraded Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity as optional agents, Photo Assist, Creative Studio, Document Scan, Call Screening, Privacy Alerts, Private Album | Samsung Global NewsroomSamsung Account, network, language, and region limits apply. AI output is not guaranteed accurate. |
| Knox / PQC | Knox, Knox Vault, KEEP, Personal Data Engine; post-quantum cryptography called out for software verification, firmware, and some Knox Matrix services | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Wireless PowerShare | Can charge listed Qi phones and Galaxy wearables; may not work below 30% donor battery | Samsung Global Newsroom |
| Model numbers (US compare footnotes) | SM-S948 appears in US compare battery-test footnotes for Ultra | Samsung US compare footnotesConfirm the exact US SKU on the box. |
| In the box | Not published | Samsung Global Newsroom60W adapter is sold separately per the charging footnote. Do not invent a charger in the box. |
Overview
Galaxy S26 Ultra is the February 2026 Ultra. Samsung’s own framing is “the most intuitive Galaxy AI phone yet,” now with a built-in Privacy Display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, and a slimmer 7.9 mm / 214 g 6.9-inch body. The camera table is still an Ultra-style quad rear: 200MP F1.4 wide, 50MP UW, 3x and 5x optical teles.
This hub exists so later phone writers can clone one honest Ultra record. The first spec table is phones-v1. It is not watches-v1 and it is not iPhone’s hours-only battery table. This page’s public path is locked at /phones/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra/.
We do not claim we used the S Pen, charged to 75%, or sat next to someone testing Privacy Display. Where Samsung prints “up to 19% CPU / 39% NPU / 24% GPU” versus S25 Ultra, we repeat the claim and leave the protocol on Newsroom.
Display
US Newsroom: 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1–120Hz, 2600 nits peak. Global: Vision booster. US compare FAQ: Gorilla Armor 2, even bezels vs S25, Privacy Display on Ultra. Rounded-corner footnote: 6.7-inch equivalent.
Do not write a pixel grid Samsung did not print. Do not write “brighter than iPhone 18 Pro’s 3000-nit outdoor peak” — those are different OEM tests.
Cameras and video
| Module (Samsung’s words) | S26 Ultra claim |
|---|---|
| Ultra-wide | 50MP F1.9 |
| Wide | 200MP F1.4; 2x optical-quality (Adaptive Pixel) |
| Tele 3x | 10MP F2.4 optical |
| Tele 5x | 50MP F2.9 optical; 10x optical-quality |
| Digital | 100x Space Zoom (US compare footnote) |
| Front | 12MP F2.2; AI ISP now on selfie |
US Newsroom Ultra video row: 4K @ 120fps (Pro Video), 8K @ 30fps. Named modes on Global: Nightography Video, Super Steady + horizontal lock, APV codec. Compact/Plus US rows stop at 4K @ 60fps.
Photo Assist and Creative Studio are Galaxy AI extras, not camera hardware.
Battery and charging (OEM table only)
| Item (Samsung’s words) | S26 Ultra claim |
|---|---|
| Typical capacity | 5,000 mAh |
| Rated / minimum | 4,855 mAh |
| Video playback | Up to 31 hours (US compare; 720p file on device) |
| Wired | ~75% in ~30 min, 60W adapter sold separately |
| Wireless | Super Fast Wireless Charging up to 25W (US Newsroom); PowerShare |
| PowerShare | Yes, with the listed Qi / Galaxy caveats |
No “we got 8.5 hours SoT” sentence belongs here.
Software and Galaxy AI
Launch table: Android 16, One UI 8.5. Newsroom AI names: Now Nudge, Now Brief, Circle to Search, Bixby, Gemini, Perplexity, Photo Assist, Creative Studio, Document Scan, Call Screening. US Newsroom footnote 21: seven OS upgrades and seven years of security. Knox / PQC / KEEP / Vault are the security extras.
Price, SKUs, and what not to invent
US page: from $1,299.99 before trade-in (19 September 2026). Storage 256 / 512 / 1TB; RAM 12 or 16GB. Colors include two Samsung.com exclusives.
Do not invent Geekbench, a 3120×1440 grid, USB 3.2 10Gb/s, dual eSIM, or a satellite radio. If you need a winner against iPhone 18 Pro, that vs-page is not live — link the locked 16 Pro vs S25 Ultra pair until it is.
Compare this phone (2)
Named-pair pages only.
Sources
- Samsung Global Newsroom — Galaxy S26 series (specification table) — accessed 2026-09-19
- Samsung US Newsroom — Galaxy S26 series (US specification table + pricing + 7+7 footnote) — accessed 2026-09-19
- Samsung US — Galaxy S26 Ultra product page — accessed 2026-09-19
- Samsung US — Galaxy S26 Ultra compare / FAQ — accessed 2026-09-19
- Samsung UK — Galaxy S26 Ultra specs (colors / SKU list) — accessed 2026-09-19
Frequently asked questions
Does S26 Ultra have a built-in S Pen?
The US product page FAQ answers “Yes.” The Global Newsroom specification table does not devote a row to S Pen. We treat the US FAQ as the OEM yes for the US SKU and still tell you to confirm the box if you are buying outside the US.
What processor is in the US Ultra?
Newsroom’s Ultra row is Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. The S26 / S26+ row also lists Exynos 2600 as a possible AP by market. Do not assume Exynos on Ultra without a later Samsung page.
How big is the battery?
5,000 mAh typical, 4,855 mAh rated, IEC 61960 typical-value method. US compare FAQ: up to 31 hours of 720p on-device video playback — the same hour figure they print for S25 Ultra. Wired claim: ~75% in 30 minutes with a 60W adapter sold separately. US Newsroom wireless row: Super Fast Wireless Charging up to 25W.
Is $1,299.99 the launch MSRP?
It is the “from $1,299.99 before trade-in” figure on Samsung’s US product page on 19 September 2026. Newsroom did not print a US dollar in the spec table. Carrier and storage SKUs change the ticket. Re-check samsung.com on write day.
Does Ultra print 8K?
Yes on the US Newsroom Ultra row: 4K @ 120fps (Pro Video) and 8K @ 30fps. An earlier Global extract omitted that fps table. Compact/Plus US rows are 4K @ 60fps / 8K @ 30fps.
Does S26 Ultra have satellite SOS?
Not on the Newsroom specification table we pulled. The `safety_alerts` key stays, filled as not published. Do not copy iPhone’s satellite list.
Is Privacy Display a screen protector?
Samsung says no — it is a built-in display mode that limits side viewing by controlling how pixels disperse light. They also warn that some information may still be visible depending on angle or brightness.
What is in the box?
Newsroom does not print a full in-box list. The charging footnote says the 60W adapter is sold separately. Do not write “charger included.”
Official product page: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Tech specs: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs.