Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched smartphone launches of the coming year, not just because it represents the brand’s top-tier hardware, but because it introduces two core upgrades that may finally push hesitant Galaxy users to make the leap. While early leaks suggested that the company’s boldest design decisions were reserved for the Galaxy S26 Edge, the Ultra is emerging as a powerhouse in its own right, complete with features that could rival the most aggressive competitors from Apple, Google, and even Chinese challengers like Vivo.
The first upgrade centers on the return of the beloved S Pen. 
For weeks, rumors circulated that Samsung might compromise its iconic stylus to accommodate magnets needed for Qi2 wireless charging. Those concerns, thankfully, have now been dismissed. Respected leaker Ice Universe shared new information confirming that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will continue to house the S Pen internally, ensuring loyal Note and Ultra fans won’t have to abandon the productivity tool that defines the series. Render leaks also show curvier corners, hinting at a refined design without abandoning what makes the Ultra unique.
The second major upgrade lies in the camera system
. Samsung appears to be recalibrating its approach, focusing on low-light performance and overall sensor improvements rather than chasing pure megapixel counts across the board. According to Ice Universe and tipster Roland Quandt, the phone will feature a quad-camera system with three significant sensor upgrades. The headline improvement is the 200MP main camera, now paired with a wider F1.4 aperture that allows 47% more light intake compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This could dramatically boost night photography and indoor shooting quality, areas where Samsung has sometimes trailed behind rivals.
The telephoto system is also getting attention. The older 10MP 3x zoom lens is being retired in favor of a 12MP Samsung-made S5K3LD sensor, a slightly larger unit that has appeared in foldables and mid-range models. While some critics hoped for a 50MP upgrade, the modest bump should still allow for sharper details and improved clarity at moderate zoom levels. Meanwhile, the 50MP 5x telephoto camera now includes a wider F2.9 aperture, promising up to 38% more light collection, which could help close the gap with optical zoom leaders in the market.
Performance-wise, the S26 Ultra is expected to run on an enhanced version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, offering higher clock speeds and improved efficiency. This positions the phone against both Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 Pro and Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro, both of which are rumored to bring transformative updates in processing and AI integration. Samsung seems determined not to be outpaced, particularly as global competition from Vivo, Xiaomi, and Honor intensifies.
Design changes will likely make the device thinner, though leaks suggest the camera bump may return, a trade-off that could irritate some but is arguably justified by the sensor improvements. Combined with Qi2 wireless charging support and retained S Pen functionality, the Ultra balances cutting-edge hardware with legacy features its users demand.
Samsung’s strategy here feels deliberate: rather than chasing wild design risks, the Ultra is evolving where it matters most – low-light photography, productivity, and raw processing power. With heightened expectations after the success of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, anticipation for the S26 line has reached fever pitch. If the leaks hold true, the S26 Ultra may well redefine Samsung’s place in the premium smartphone hierarchy, even as competitors push harder than ever.