Leaked promotional materials for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra have surfaced online just days before the official unveiling at Galaxy Unpacked on Feb. 25, 2026, revealing that the flagship smartphone will likely retain the same 5,000mAh battery capacity and camera hardware as its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The images, which appear to be official Spanish-language marketing posters, were shared on X by user @ya_sking12767 and quickly spread across tech sites including 9to5Google, Tom's Guide, Android Police and Gadgets 360. They detail key specifications and highlight features like the new Privacy Display, but show little change in core hardware areas that fans had hoped for upgrades.

The battery remains at 5,000mAh, with Samsung claiming up to 31 hours of video playback on a single charge — identical to the S25 Ultra's advertised endurance. Charging reaches 75% in 30 minutes via wired fast charging, a figure that matches the previous model's performance despite earlier rumors of a jump to 60W speeds. While some leaks suggested Samsung might adopt 60W charging across the series, the promotional claim indicates the real-world improvement, if any, is minimal.

The rear camera setup is unchanged: a 200-megapixel main sensor, 50-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto offering 5x optical zoom. A 12-megapixel front camera rounds out the array. The posters emphasize AI-powered enhancements like Photo Assist for editing and improved low-light processing through the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, but hardware sensors appear identical to last year's model.

The leak aligns with a growing consensus among analysts and tipsters that Samsung is prioritizing software refinements, efficiency gains from the latest processor and exclusive features over major hardware leaps. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 promises better performance and power management, potentially offsetting the lack of battery capacity increase by delivering longer real-world usage.

A standout addition teased in the materials is the Privacy Display, an Ultra-exclusive feature that uses pixel-level adjustments to limit viewing angles, preventing shoulder-surfing in public. Leaked hands-on videos and images from sources like YouTuber Sahil Karoul show the mode in action, dimming or obscuring content from side perspectives while remaining clear head-on.

Other confirmed elements include the S Pen stylus (though without expanded Bluetooth features seen in prior generations), a 6.9-inch WQHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display and regional processor variations — Snapdragon for U.S. and select markets, Exynos 2600 elsewhere.

The promotional posters also showcase the design, which retains the flat-edged titanium frame and prominent camera island from the S25 Ultra, with minor ergonomic tweaks for better grip. No radical redesign is evident, consistent with Samsung's recent strategy of iterative updates.

Fan reactions on platforms like Reddit and X have been mixed. Many expressed disappointment over the stagnant battery and camera specs, especially after years of similar complaints about incremental changes in the Ultra lineup. "Another year, same battery — Samsung needs to step up," one user commented on a popular thread. Others defended the approach, pointing to AI integrations, improved efficiency and the Privacy Display as meaningful advancements in a mature smartphone market.

Pricing remains uncertain, though recent reports from South Korean media suggest possible increases for higher-storage variants, potentially up to 20% in some regions due to component costs. U.S. starting prices are expected around $1,299 for the base model, maintaining parity with predecessors, bolstered by trade-in offers up to $900.

The Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on Feb. 25 will provide official confirmation, with pre-orders likely opening immediately. The S26 series — including the base S26 and S26 Plus — is slated for global availability in early March.

As Samsung prepares to showcase deeper Galaxy AI features like multi-agent support, Perplexity integration and enhanced Bixby, the leaked materials suggest the S26 Ultra will appeal more through intelligence and privacy than raw hardware specs. Whether that strategy satisfies enthusiasts in a competitive field remains to be seen.