S26 Ultra: As February kicks off, the anticipation for Samsung's next flagship rises. This time with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and early leaks and reports suggest the company is largely sticking to its established Ultra formula. The phone is tipped to arrive later in the month of February, 2026, and is expected to bring incremental design tweaks, a new top-tier processor and a heavier emphasis on artificial intelligence with its Galaxy AI.
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Launch timeline and availability
Samsung's latest expected offering, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, is expected to be unveiled in late February 2026. Multiple reports point to February 25 as the likely announcement date. Samsung is expected to introduce the device alongside the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ models.
If the company follows its usual rollout pattern, the phone should go on sale in early to mid-March. Leaked retailer schedules suggest March 11 as a possible availability date in several major markets.
Expected pricing
Samsung appears set to keep the Galaxy S26 Ultra firmly in the ultra-premium category. Leaks suggest the company may drop the 128GB variant entirely, making 256GB the new base storage option.
The 256GB model is expected to start at around EUR 1,469, with 512GB and 1TB variants positioned higher. Samsung is expected to justify the pricing with higher base storage, updated hardware and expanded AI features.
Galaxy Unpacked expectations
The main event at which the Korean smartphone maker will showcase its latest offerings, Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, is expected to take place on February 25, 2026, possibly in San Francisco. Along with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, other members joining the showcase could be the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+, and they may also introduce new Galaxy Buds.
The event is likely to focus more on Galaxy AI and its features as well as the upcoming One UI updates.
Design changes
Leaked renders suggest Samsung is making subtle design refinements rather than a major overhaul. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature a redesigned rear camera layout, with lenses housed in a compact camera island instead of individual protrusions.
The phone is also expected to have more rounded corners, slimmer bezels and a centre-aligned hole-punch display, giving it a slightly cleaner and more balanced look.
Hardware and specifications
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. And on the software side, it is likely to ship with One UI 8.5 based on Android, with deeper Galaxy AI integration across system features.
Expected specifications and other form factor-related information include a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with a peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits, a 5,000mAh battery with support for 60W fast charging, and a quad rear camera setup led by a 200MP primary sensor. Samsung may also introduce ultra-exclusive display privacy features.
Storage options
Samsung is expected to offer the Galaxy S26 Ultra in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage variants. Dropping the 128GB option would align with Samsung’s push to position the Ultra as a device aimed at heavy users, creators and AI-driven workflows.
Reviews and rollout
If Samsung follows last year’s timeline, early reviews of the Galaxy S26 Ultra should begin appearing in early March, roughly a week after the Unpacked event. Retail sales are expected to start soon after, with Samsung reportedly prioritising Ultra production due to stronger demand compared to the standard models.
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What it means for Samsung
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to be Samsung’s most important smartphone for 2026. Rather than chasing radical changes, the company appears focused on refinement — improving performance, storage and AI features while keeping the familiar Ultra identity intact.
For Samsung, the S26 Ultra is likely to remain the centrepiece of its premium smartphone strategy for the year.