The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn’t expected to launch until early 2026, but rumors are already swirling about potential major upgrades to the camera system and battery. While it’s still very early, these early reports suggest Samsung may be planning some significant changes to its ultra-premium flagship.
Simplified Camera System with Variable Aperture
According to recent leaks, Samsung may reduce the number of rear cameras on the Galaxy S26 Ultra from four to three. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean a downgrade in camera capabilities. The rumored setup includes:
- 200MP main camera
- 50MP ultrawide camera
- 200MP telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom
The most intriguing aspect is the possible return of variable aperture technology on the main camera. Samsung previously used this on the Galaxy S9 series, allowing the camera to switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4 apertures depending on lighting conditions.
Variable aperture provides several benefits:
- Improved low-light performance when using the wider f/1.5 aperture
- Better depth of field control in bright conditions with the f/2.4 aperture
- Potential for smoother transitions between aperture settings compared to the original dual-aperture implementation
While removing a dedicated zoom lens may seem like a step backwards, the high-resolution sensors could potentially allow for high-quality digital zoom to compensate. Additionally, the variable aperture may reduce the need for separate lenses optimized for different lighting scenarios.
Bigger Battery with New Technology
Perhaps the most exciting rumor surrounds a potential major upgrade to the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s battery. For several generations, Samsung’s top-end flagships have used 5,000mAh batteries. The S26 Ultra may finally break that barrier.
Two possible technologies are being discussed:
Silicon Carbon Battery
Multiple sources point to Samsung potentially using silicon carbon battery technology in the S26 Ultra. This could allow for a capacity increase to 6,000mAh without significantly increasing the phone’s size or weight.
Silicon carbon batteries offer several advantages:
- Higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion batteries
- Faster charging capabilities
- Potentially better longevity and thermal management
Stacked Battery Design
Another rumor suggests Samsung might use a stacked battery design, potentially offering a 5,500mAh capacity. This approach involves layering battery cells to maximize available space within the phone.
Regardless of the specific technology used, a larger battery would address one of the few remaining criticisms of Samsung’s Ultra lineup – battery life that, while good, doesn’t always match the “ultra” branding when compared to some competitors.
Other Potential Features
While the camera and battery are generating the most buzz, other rumored features for the Galaxy S26 Ultra include:
- Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 processor (or potentially a new Exynos chip)
- Possible return of Bluetooth functionality to the S Pen
- Further refinements to Samsung’s AI features
- Potential for an under-display selfie camera, though this seems less likely for 2026
It’s important to remember that these are early rumors, and Samsung’s plans could change significantly before the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s launch. However, the focus on camera innovations and battery life improvements aligns with areas where Samsung faces the strongest competition in the ultra-premium smartphone market.