Key changes to Samsung Electronics' next flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected to be unveiled in the first half of 2026, are coming into focus. IT tipster Anthony (@TheGalox_) cited by IT outlet PhoneArena on Jan. 1, local time, said the Galaxy S26 Ultra is set for meaningful upgrades across the display, camera, performance and charging speed.

The biggest change is improved display efficiency. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is said to adopt the latest M14 OLED panel, offering 20 to 30 percent higher power efficiency than the M13 OLED used in the previous Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung is expected to focus on energy efficiency rather than an extreme maximum-brightness race. It is also set to add an integrated built-in privacy screen feature that blocks surrounding views by limiting viewing angles.

The camera is also expected to see major improvements. The rear main camera aperture is set to widen to f/1.4 from f/1.7, and the 5x zoom telephoto camera to f/2.9 from f/3.4, strengthening low-light performance. A new lens coating is also expected to reduce light reflection and colour distortion, particularly an issue with yellow skin tones. The front camera will use a 22 mm lens to provide a wider field of view for selfies.

Video shooting will also evolve. The camera assistant module in One UI 8.5 will add features allowing users to directly adjust autofocus switching speed and sharpness. Users will be able to choose between Snap Focus for fast focus shifts and Rack Focus for cinematic effects, which is expected to increase creative flexibility in video.

Charging speed will also improve significantly. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is reported to support up to 60W Super Fast Charging 3.0, above the existing 45W, and to be able to charge the battery from 0 to 50 percent in under 15 minutes. Battery capacity is likely to rise to 5,100 to 5,400 mAh, while the device thickness is expected to slim to 7.9 mm from 8.2 mm on the previous model.

The processor is likely to be Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite 5th generation. The chip is set to be made using TSMC's 3-nanometre process, but there is also talk of a Galaxy-exclusive chip based on Samsung Foundry's 2-nanometre process and GAA (Gate-All-Around) transistors. Memory will keep LPDDR5X, but with a 10.7 Gbps speed it is expected to improve AI-based multi-frame HDR processing speed by up to 25 percent, minimising shutter lag.

The Galaxy S26 series is likely to be officially unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event in San Francisco around Feb. 25. The new model's changes are expected to focus on efficiency, cameras and an enhanced AI experience rather than design.

Galaxy S26 Ultra | Upgrades • New display with higher efficiency • Integrated privacy screen • New lens and coating • Bigger Main & Telephoto apertures • Wider selfie camera • Faster wired and wireless charging • Faster & more efficient processor • New video controls… pic.twitter.com/nQsoaaTYx0