Flagship Mobile Processor (SoC)Silicon9.8Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.·October 2025
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
TSMC 3nm (N3P) FinFET · 2x 4.5 GHz + 6x 3.5 GHz Oryon · Adreno 840 GPU (1350 MHz)
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra analysis: A refined, high-performance productivity flagship
User rating
out of 10 ·
rate device
A closer look

Drag to rotate · Use + / − to zoom · Arrow keys to turn
Make it yours
Turn it in your hands. Explore the camera, the display and the frame.
Colour Cobalt Violet
Choose an angle
The 3D view loads as you approach it.
Manufacturer design reference ↗Illustrative 3D model by MxMob based on Samsung’s design. Colours and small details may differ from the actual device.
Reference price
Launch or reference price for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Current retail prices vary by store and country.
At $1299, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra represents an iterative but highly potent refinement of the premium Ultra formula. Samsung has trimmed the chassis down to 7.9mm and 214g, making this 6.9-inch device slightly more manageable without sacrificing the 5000mAh battery capacity. The shift to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip peaking at 4.74 GHz ensures immense headroom for heavy multitasking, backed by up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. The camera system remains one of the most versatile on the market, offering dedicated 3x (10MP) and 5x (50MP) optical telephoto lenses alongside a massive 200MP primary sensor with an unusually fast f/1.4 aperture. Video creators will appreciate the bump to 8K recording at 60fps and APV codec support. However, there are compromises. The USB-C port remains stuck on the older 3.2 Gen 1 standard, and the lack of a charger in the box stings at this price point. Still, the inclusion of Qi2 Ready magnetic wireless charging at 25W and an upgrade to 60W wired charging address long-standing battery complaints. With a promised seven years of Android updates, an Armor Aluminum 2 frame, and Gorilla Armor 2 glass, the S26 Ultra is a durable, long-term investment for those who demand maximum utility from their smartphone.
176 verified specification points across 20 categories.
The overall 8.9 is built from ten category scores. Here is the reason behind each one, tied to this phone's own figures.
Despite our efforts to keep the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specifications complete and correct, mistakes get through. If you see anything wrong or missing on this page, please— every report is read, and corrections are made to the record itself.
The S26 Ultra supports up to 60W wired charging using USB PD 3.1 and PPS standards. It also supports 25W wireless charging and is Qi2 Ready, though you will need to purchase a compatible charger separately as none is included in the box.
It features an IP68 certification, meaning it is highly resistant to dust and can withstand being submerged in shallow water. However, like all phones, it is not completely waterproof against high pressure or extended submersion.
Samsung promises 7 years of operating system upgrades and 7 years of security patches, meaning the phone will be supported well into the 2030s after launching with Android 16.
Yes, it features two dedicated optical zoom lenses: a 10MP camera with 3x optical zoom and a high-resolution 50MP camera with 5x optical zoom, both of which feature optical image stabilisation (OIS) for steady shots.
No, the S26 Ultra does not have a microSD card slot. You must choose between the fixed 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB internal storage options at the time of purchase.
At $1299, it carries a steep premium, but justifies it with exclusive hardware like the built-in S Pen, a secondary 3x optical telephoto lens, and 8K video at 60fps—features its main Apple rival lacks, making it a stronger choice for heavy productivity.
Share your experience with the community to help others decide.
Explainers on the chipset, display and camera components used in the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, compiled from manufacturer documentation and published benchmarks.
Score Synchronization: The performance rating (9.8) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform.
Engineered with second-generation custom Qualcomm Oryon Phoenix CPU cores clocked up to 4.50 GHz, a sliced-architecture Adreno 840 GPU with dedicated GMEM cache, and an 80+ TOPS Hexagon NPU. Built on TSMC second-generation 3nm FinFET (N3P) lithography.
Manufactured on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's enhanced N3P fabrication line using High-NA Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) photolithography operating at a 13.5nm wavelength. This yields over 220 million transistors per square millimeter with unprecedented gate-oxide consistency.
Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.
Read Full Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 BreakdownScore Synchronization: The performance rating (9.6) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Samsung ISOCELL HP2 200MP platform.
Features 200 million 0.6-micrometer pixels in a 1/1.3-inch optical format with Tetra²pixel binning, Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) technology, Super QPD auto-focusing, and 8K30 HDR video capture.
Constructed with physical dielectric deep-trench isolation walls between each of the 200 million photodiodes. This stops optical crosstalk and prevents color bleeding between adjacent red, green, and blue pixels.
Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.
Read Full Samsung ISOCELL HP2 200MP BreakdownScore Synchronization: The performance rating (9.5) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Silicon-Carbon High-Density Anode Battery platform.
Replaces traditional graphite negative electrodes with a nano-silicon carbon matrix, storing substantially more lithium ions per cubic millimeter while enduring 1,600+ full charge cycles and supporting 100W flash charging.
Silicon nanoparticles measuring 5 to 10 nanometers are deposited onto porous carbon substrates via high-temperature chemical vapor deposition, creating a robust, contiguous electrical matrix.
Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.
Read Full Silicon-Carbon High-Density Anode Battery BreakdownScore Synchronization: The performance rating (9.6) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Samsung M14 LTPO 3.0 Dynamic AMOLED 2X platform.
Engineered with Samsung latest M14 organic material stack, achieving over 2,600 nits high-brightness mode (3,000+ nits peak), 1Hz–120Hz seamless LTPO variable refresh, and 30% reduced panel power draw.
Synthesized using heavy-hydrogen isotopes that exhibit stronger carbon-deuterium covalent bonds, drastically lowering molecular thermal vibration under high current.
Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.
Read Full Samsung M14 LTPO 3.0 Dynamic AMOLED 2X BreakdownScore Synchronization: The performance rating (9.5) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Sony IMX858 platform.
Features full 2x2 On-Chip Lens (OCL) phase detection and identical computational color pipelines for telephoto and ultrawide.
Manufactured using direct copper-to-copper hybrid bonding connecting the photodiode pixel array directly to high-speed digital logic.
Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.
Read Full Sony IMX858 BreakdownScore Synchronization: The performance rating (9.9) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Corning Gorilla Glass Armor platform.
Engineered with a nanometer-scale anti-reflective multi-layer coating bonded to an ultra-hard glass-ceramic core, Gorilla Glass Armor cuts ambient surface reflections by 75% while providing four times better scratch endurance against abrasive mineral sands.
Features dozens of sub-wavelength dielectric layers with alternating refractive indices to cancel out surface reflections through destructive light interference.
Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.
Read Full Corning Gorilla Glass Armor BreakdownScore Synchronization: The performance rating (8.7) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Google Tensor 3D Vapor Chamber Cooling platform.
Integrated into the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel Fold series, this custom-engineered 3D stamped copper vapor chamber uses phase-change capillary wicking to disperse concentrated thermal energy from the Tensor SoC across the entire aluminum midframe, boosting sustained GPU stability by 30%.
Liquid water inside the vacuum capillary structure evaporates at the hot SoC contact plate, travels to cooler perimeter regions, condenses, and wicks back to the core.
Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.
Read Full Google Tensor 3D Vapor Chamber Cooling BreakdownScore Synchronization: The performance rating (9.2) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Samsung ISOCELL HP5 platform.
Built on Samsung's refined 28nm/65nm stacked sensor process, ISOCELL HP5 packs 200 million 0.5µm pixels onto a compact 1/1.56-inch optical format. Utilizing Tetra2pixel 16-in-1 binning (12.5MP @ 2.0µm) and Super QPD autofocus, it enables 2x and 4x lossless in-sensor telephoto crops.
Engineered using advanced stacked backside-illuminated silicon die bonding with pixel-level deep trench isolation.
Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.
Read Full Samsung ISOCELL HP5 BreakdownDevices at a similar price, or from the same family.
MxMob8.8Samsung
6.7" · 8GB · 512GB · 3.7k mAh
MxMob9.1Samsung
6.6" · 8GB · 512GB · 4.7k mAh
MxMob7.5Samsung
6.8" · 12GB · 128GB · 5k mAh
RumoredMxMob8.4Samsung
6.75" · 16GB · 512GB · 4.4k mAh
MxMob7.5Samsung
6.7" · 12GB · 512GB · 4k mAh
RumoredMxMob8.8Samsung
6.75" · 16GB · 512GB · 5.1k mAh
Phones at a similar price, from the same maker, or running the same chip.
MxMob8.8Samsung
6.7" · 8GB · 512GB · 3.7k mAh
MxMob9.1Samsung
6.6" · 8GB · 512GB · 4.7k mAh
MxMob7.5Samsung
6.8" · 12GB · 128GB · 5k mAh
RumoredMxMob8.4Samsung
6.75" · 16GB · 512GB · 4.4k mAh
MxMob7.5Samsung
6.7" · 12GB · 512GB · 4k mAh
RumoredMxMob8.8Samsung
6.75" · 16GB · 512GB · 5.1k mAh
MxMob7.9Samsung
6.8" · 12GB · 1TB · 5k mAh
MxMob7.8Samsung
6.7" · 12GB · 512GB · 4.1k mAh
Share your experience with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Reader ratings are submitted by signed-in visitors and are separate from the automated MxMob score.
No reader reviews yet. If you own this phone, yours would be the first.
Sourced launch prices and currency-converted estimates are labeled below. Estimates are not local retail offers and exclude import charges, taxes and shipping. Local availability and current selling prices may differ.
| Country | Price / estimate | Basis and variant |
|---|---|---|
| United Statesyour market | $1,299 | 16GB/1024GB launch MSRP |
| United Kingdom | £649 | 16GB/1024GB launch price |
| Canada | CA$1,779 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Australia | A$1,299 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Germany | €749 | 16GB/1024GB European launch price |
| France | €749 | 16GB/1024GB European launch price |
| Netherlands | €749 | 16GB/1024GB European launch price |
| Switzerland | CHF 1,229 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Norway | kr 15,290 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Sweden | kr 15,790 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Denmark | kr 10,699 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Ireland | €1,359 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| New Zealand | NZ$2,179 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Singapore | S$1,769 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 4,769 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR 4,869 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Japan | ¥201,300 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Austria | €1,359 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Belgium | €1,359 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Finland | €1,359 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Italy | €1,359 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Spain | €1,359 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Portugal | €1,359 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Greece | €1,359 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Poland | zł 5,389 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Czechia | Kč 31,790 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Israel | ₪4,869 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| South Korea | ₩1,793,000 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Hong Kong | HK$10,159 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Taiwan | NT$42,200 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Qatar | QAR 4,729 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Kuwait | KD 400 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| India | ₹64,999 | 16GB/1024GB official India price |
| Pakistan | Rs 363,999 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Bangladesh | ৳158,499 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Indonesia | Rp 21,039,000 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Philippines | ₱75,990 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Malaysia | RM 6,039 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Vietnam | ₫32,990,000 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Brazil | R$7,499 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Mexico | MX$25,299 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Nigeria | ₦2,013,000 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| South Africa | R 24,399 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Egypt | E£64,299 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
| Türkiye | ₺47,399 | 16GB/1024GB official launch MSRP |
We use cookies and browser storage to fund this reference platform through advertising. With your consent, Google AdSense and certified partners deliver personalized ads and measure performance. If you decline, no advertising cookies are used for personalization. You can change your choice at any time. Read our Cookie Policy.