Galaxy S26 Ultra’s delayed debut puts Samsung under pressure
Samsung’s next flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, is expected to arrive within weeks, but its launch is shaping up to be later than many had anticipated. A Galaxy Unpacked event tipped for late February, covering the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra, risks leaving Samsung exposed to increasingly aggressive rivals. That vulnerability is not just about timing, it also reflects key decisions around specifications. The question many observers are now asking is whether the Galaxy S26 Ultra still truly earns its Ultra name.
Battery choices under scrutiny
Battery capacity is the first major point of contention. Rival flagships are rapidly adopting silicon carbon batteries, which pack more energy into the same physical space. Xiaomi’s latest Ultra handset carries a 6,800 mAh battery, while OnePlus has pushed even further with 7,300 mAh.
Against that backdrop, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to ship with a 5,000 mAh battery, a figure that has remained unchanged across Samsung’s Ultra line for years. The Galaxy S21 Ultra through to the Galaxy S25 Ultra all carried the same capacity, paired with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. Regulatory filings suggest Samsung is set to repeat that formula for a seventh consecutive generation.
There is some variation this time. Certain certifications point to 60W wired charging on select variants, which would be a welcome improvement for users with compatible chargers. Even so, charging speeds still lag behind competitors that routinely offer 100W wired and 50W wireless charging.
In practical terms, the Galaxy S26 Ultra should still last a full working day. However, when rival phones finish the day with far more battery remaining, consumer perception matters. Ending the evening at 15 percent instead of closer to 40 or 50 percent can weigh heavily on buying decisions.
Familiar camera hardware
The camera story follows a similar pattern. Samsung is widely expected to stick with largely unchanged hardware. The main camera is again tipped to use a 200 megapixel ISOCELL sensor, with only a wider aperture differentiating it from recent models. The ultrawide and 5x telephoto lenses are expected to remain at 50 megapixels, mirroring the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The only notable adjustment appears to be a modest bump on the 3x camera, rising from 10 to 12 megapixels, while retaining the same physical sensor size.
That approach leaves Samsung treading water while rivals push forward. Xiaomi has leaned heavily into photography as a selling point, supported by its Leica partnership and larger sensors. Vivo, working with Zeiss, has redefined telephoto performance with advanced periscopic designs that have set new benchmarks for zoom and clarity.
Memory, storage and the AI question
Storage and memory remain headline figures for shoppers, but RAM is becoming increasingly critical as on device artificial intelligence grows more demanding. Across the flagship market, 16 GB of RAM is now common, with 24 GB appearing at the very top end.
Certification data suggests Samsung will largely stick with 12 GB of RAM, reserving 16 GB for the most expensive 1 TB storage variant. That could prove short sighted. As more AI processing shifts onto devices, especially generative AI, memory headroom will matter. While 12 GB may be sufficient in early 2026, it risks becoming a constraint later in the device’s lifespan, potentially increasing latency or forcing more reliance on cloud processing.
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Lower RAM could ultimately limit performance longevity, an important consideration for buyers investing in a premium handset.
Where the Galaxy S26 Ultra still shines
Despite these concerns, Samsung is not standing still everywhere. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature a customised Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, positioning it as one of the most powerful Android phones of its generation.
The continued inclusion of S Pen support remains a clear differentiator, offering functionality that few competitors can match. Samsung’s upcoming M14 OLED display also promises higher brightness, improved efficiency and better long term panel durability.
Taken together, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will undoubtedly be a capable premium smartphone. It will refine and improve on its predecessor and expand Samsung’s Galaxy AI features. Yet while Samsung is making incremental gains, rivals are taking bolder steps.
For buyers prioritising battery life, faster charging and more forward looking hardware, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may feel less Ultra than its name suggests.
