Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Slimmer Design, Sharper Display & Faster Charging Revealed in Latest Leak

Samsung's flagship Galaxy S series is about to hit new heights with the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, and if recent leaks are anything to go by, this phone is shaping up to be a serious game-changer. Credible tipster UniverseIce, known for a solid track record with Samsung leaks, has dropped fresh insights into the S26 Ultra, showcasing a sleek redesign, performance upgrades, and impressive camera and charging improvements.

Here’s everything we know so far about the highly anticipated Galaxy S26 Ultra, including leaked specifications, expected features, and how it compares with its predecessor — the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

🔍 Redesigned and Refined: A Thinner, Lighter Powerhouse

Samsung appears to be making significant design tweaks to its Ultra series. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to be thinner than ever, dipping below the 8mm mark — a significant shift from the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 8.2mm thickness. A thinner design doesn't just make the device sleeker; it enhances usability, especially for users who prefer premium devices without bulk.

Despite being slightly taller and wider (reportedly around 162.8 x 77.6 mm), the S26 Ultra is said to weigh less than the S25 Ultra’s 218 grams, making it lighter in the hand while offering a larger footprint for immersive content.

📸 Camera Island Returns with Upgraded Lenses

One of the most noticeable visual changes lies in the camera design. While previous Galaxy Ultra models have used individual cutouts for each lens, the S26 Ultra is reportedly switching to a camera island layout — a style reminiscent of the Galaxy S21 series.

This island is expected to house three out of the four rear camera modules, giving the phone a more unified aesthetic and possibly better protection for the lenses.

On the hardware front, major upgrades are coming:

• Updated 200MP main camera with a larger aperture for better low-light photography.

• A new 3x telephoto lens for mid-range zoom shots.

• An improved 5x periscope camera with a wider aperture, enhancing detail and brightness in zoomed images.

If accurate, these enhancements could place the Galaxy S26 Ultra at the top of the mobile photography leaderboard in 2025.

📱 New AMOLED Display with Color-on-Emitter Tech

Samsung is also expected to introduce a 6.9-inch AMOLED panel with a breakthrough Color-on-Emitter (CoE) depolarizer layer. This display technology integrates the color filter directly into the OLED’s light-emitting layer.

What does that mean for users?

• Improved color accuracy and vibrant visuals

• Higher brightness levels in direct sunlight

• Reduced power consumption

This innovation is likely to be combined with third-generation anti-reflective glass, making the screen easier to read in bright environments. For media lovers, gamers, and multitaskers, this new display could make a significant difference.

⚡ Fast Charging Gets a Boost

For years, Samsung has lagged behind in the charging department, sticking to 45W wired speeds while brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus surged ahead with 100W+ tech. Now, Samsung is stepping up.

According to leaks, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature 60W wired charging, marking a modest but meaningful improvement. This means significantly reduced charging times without compromising battery health.

However, the battery capacity is expected to remain at 5,000mAh — a tried and tested size that has become standard for high-performance phones. While some may wish for a larger battery, the added efficiency from the CoE display and newer components should ensure longer on-screen time.

📶 Performance & Internals (Expected)

While the leak focuses mainly on the design, display, and camera, we can reasonably expect that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be powered by the next-gen Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (or Samsung’s Exynos equivalent in some regions), paired with:

• Up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM

• Storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB UFS 4.0

• Android 15 with One UI 7 (expected)

These specifications align with Samsung's tradition of launching the most powerful hardware in its Ultra series.

📊 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra – Expected Specifications Table

✅ Pros of the Galaxy S26 Ultra

• Thinner and Lighter: A more compact body without sacrificing screen size.

• Camera Island Design: Aesthetic improvement with better lens grouping.

• Upgraded Camera System: Improved low-light and zoom photography.

• New AMOLED Display: Brighter and more power-efficient.

• 60W Wired Charging: Faster than previous Ultra models.

• Color-on-Emitter Technology: Enhanced color reproduction and screen visibility.

• Third-gen Anti-reflective Glass: Better readability in outdoor conditions.

• Expected Top-tier Performance: With Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.

  
  

❌ Cons of the Galaxy S26 Ultra

• Same Battery Size: Still 5,000mAh while competitors are pushing 5,500mAh+.

• Charging Still Behind Some Rivals: 60W is an improvement, but far from class-leading.

• Potential Price Hike: Premium features may push the cost higher than S25 Ultra.

• No Major UI Changes Expected: One UI 7 may not bring radical redesigns.

• Design Might Be Polarizing: Not everyone prefers camera islands over cutouts.

  
  

📝 Final Thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most refined smartphones. With a thinner and lighter chassis, cutting-edge display technology, faster charging, and revamped camera capabilities, it’s clear Samsung is making a conscious effort to address past feedback.

While the battery size and charging speed still leave room for improvement compared to rivals like Xiaomi or Realme, the upgrades in camera hardware, display innovations, and design are definitely noteworthy.

Samsung fans and Android power users alike will find plenty to love in the S26 Ultra — and if these leaks hold true, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could set a new standard for premium Android smartphones in 2025.

🔎 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When will the Galaxy S26 Ultra be released?

Samsung typically announces the Galaxy S series in January or February. Expect an official unveiling in Q1 2025.

Q: Will the Galaxy S26 Ultra have expandable storage?

Samsung dropped microSD support a few generations ago. It’s unlikely to return.

Q: Does the S26 Ultra support the S Pen?

Yes. Like previous Ultra models, it is expected to support the S Pen, possibly with enhanced features.