Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Leak Reveals New Design, Pricing Strategy and February 25 Launch

Samsung is preparing to unveil its next flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with a launch event scheduled for February 25, 2026, in San Francisco. Ahead of the announcement, multiple credible leaks from established technology publications and industry insiders have revealed detailed information about the device’s design, display, cameras, performance and pricing.

Together, these reports suggest that Samsung is introducing meaningful refinements rather than a radical overhaul, while also reshaping its pricing and storage strategy for the S26 lineup.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra marks the most visible design evolution Samsung has made to its Ultra series in several years. Leaked official renders indicate that Samsung is moving away from the individual floating camera rings used since the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Instead, the new flagship adopts a unified, pill shaped camera island that groups three of the four rear sensors together.

This design closely resembles the camera layout seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, signaling a broader visual alignment across Samsung’s premium devices. The fourth camera lens remains separate, maintaining the quad camera identity of the Ultra model.

The phone is also expected to feature more rounded corners, giving it a softer and more ergonomic profile compared to its predecessor.

In terms of finish, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shown in Cobalt Violet and Black, with additional color options expected to include White, Silver Shadow, Sky Blue and Pink Gold.

The device is tipped to be slightly slimmer at around 7.9mm, down from the 8.2mm thickness of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

On the front, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature a 6.9 inch QHD Plus AMOLED display with flat glass and extremely slim bezels. Several reports suggest that Samsung is introducing a new generation of Gorilla Glass that significantly improves scratch resistance and reduces reflections, potentially eliminating the need for third party tempered glass screen protectors.

The display is also expected to include an advanced built in privacy feature that limits viewing angles in public spaces to prevent shoulder surfing. Samsung has previously confirmed this technology and is said to be refining how and when the privacy mode activates based on app usage.

Additional improvements are expected through Color Filter on Encapsulation technology, which allows for higher brightness levels without increasing power consumption, further enhancing outdoor visibility and overall efficiency.

Despite the redesigned camera module, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to retain the same camera hardware configuration as its predecessor. According to current information, the quad camera setup includes a 200 megapixel primary sensor, a 50 megapixel ultra wide camera, a 10 megapixel 3x telephoto lens and a 50 megapixel 5x periscope telephoto camera.

On the front, a 12 megapixel selfie camera is expected.

While there are no confirmed hardware upgrades, Samsung is likely to deliver improvements through software processing and AI driven photography features, an area where the company has been investing heavily.

Under the hood, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may ship with different processors depending on the region. Some markets are expected to receive Samsung’s new Exynos 2600 chipset, while others will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.

Battery capacity is expected to remain unchanged at 5000mAh, but charging capabilities could see an upgrade. Leaks suggest support for up to 60W wired fast charging and 25W wireless charging.

The device is also expected to support Qi2 wireless charging, making it compatible with magnetic accessories similar to Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem.

A dedicated S Pen slot is once again confirmed, reinforcing the Ultra model’s positioning as a productivity focused flagship.

One of the most significant shifts with the Galaxy S26 series is Samsung’s approach to storage and pricing. According to multiple reports, Samsung has cancelled the 128GB base variant across the S26 lineup due to rising memory costs. All Galaxy S26 models are expected to start at 256GB of storage.

European retailer listings indicate that the base Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus may see price increases compared to their predecessors. However, the Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to be positioned differently.

In Sweden, leaked pricing suggests that the 256GB and 512GB Galaxy S26 Ultra variants could launch at a lower price than the Galaxy S25 Ultra equivalents, while the 1TB version remains unchanged.

This strategy indicates that Samsung may be encouraging buyers to move toward the Ultra model, absorbing some of the increased component costs while passing others onto the base and Plus variants.

Indian pricing has not yet been confirmed, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra launched in India at Rs 1,29,999, which may serve as a reference point.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to be a calculated refinement rather than a disruptive leap. Samsung is focusing on design polish, display durability, privacy features and charging improvements, while keeping proven camera hardware and battery capacity intact.

For buyers, especially power users and professionals, the combination of a more durable display, refined design, strong camera system and S Pen support reinforces the Ultra’s appeal.

The potential price stabilization or reduction for the Ultra model in some markets could further strengthen its position against competing Android flagships and premium devices from Apple.

As Samsung prepares for its February 25 launch event, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a mature and strategically positioned flagship.

With a refreshed design, enhanced display technology, familiar yet capable camera hardware and a revised pricing strategy, Samsung appears to be doubling down on the Ultra model as the centerpiece of its S series lineup.

If these leaks prove accurate, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could be one of the most balanced and compelling premium smartphones of 2026.