Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Snapdragon Confirmed, Faster Charging & Satellite connectivity on the Horizon
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December 15, 2025 – As Samsung gears up to launch its next flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra in early 2026, a key question has been answered: the S26 Ultra will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. This confirmation, gleaned from recent filings with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will likely be welcomed by the Samsung community who have historically favored Snapdragon over samsung’s in-house Exynos chips.
Snapdragon Dominance Continues
FCC filings detail two model numbers – SM-S948B (global unlocked version) and SM-S948U (US carrier-specific) – both utilizing the SM8850,which corresponds directly to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. While regional variations may exist, the core S26 Ultra experience will be driven by Qualcomm’s latest technology. This decision aligns with the general perception that Snapdragon delivers superior performance in previous Galaxy S models.
Beyond the Processor: What Else to Expect
Recent certifications are revealing further details about the upcoming device. Here’s a breakdown of key features confirmed so far:
* Faster Charging: The S26 Ultra will boast 60W wired charging, a significant upgrade from the current 45W found in the S25 Ultra.This is expected to translate to a 0-80% charge in approximately 30 minutes with a 5,000 mAh battery, alongside continued 25W wireless charging support.
* Satellite Connectivity in China: Documentation from China’s 3C certification confirms direct satellite connectivity for the Chinese market. Building on the S25 Ultra’s capabilities, this will likely include support for both regular messaging and emergency SOS via satellite.
* Global Launch & Certification: Samsung is actively securing certifications worldwide, indicating a broad, global release for the S26 family.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is poised to set the standard for smartphones in 2026,and these early details suggest a powerful and feature-rich device is on the way. Stay tuned for further updates as we approach the official launch.
What are the key innovations pioneered by the Samsung Galaxy S series since its launch in 2010?
Wikipedia‑Style Context
The samsung Galaxy S series, launched in 2010, has become the flagship line that defines the Android premium market each year. Over its twelve‑year evolution the S‑series has pioneered innovations such as AMOLED displays, high‑resolution multi‑camera arrays, and wireless power sharing. Starting with the Galaxy S III, samsung began integrating Samsung‑designed Exynos SoCs for most global markets, while the United States and China often received Qualcomm Snapdragon variants due to LTE band compatibility. The rivalry between Exynos and Snapdragon has shaped the series’ branding, with many enthusiasts favoring Snapdragon for its higher single‑core performance and more efficient power draw.
From the galaxy S 20 (2020) onward samsung adopted a dual‑chip strategy: Exynos 2100 in Europe/Asia and snapdragon 888 in the U.S. and China. This approach continued through the S 22, S 23 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) and S 24 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) generations. Though, mounting pressure from reviewers and a desire for a unified global experience prompted Samsung to standardise on Snapdragon for the flagship line beginning with the Galaxy S 25 (2025), which featured the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. The S 25 Ultra introduced 45 W fast‑charging and satellite‑messaging capability for selected markets, laying the groundwork for the next generation.
The upcoming Galaxy S 26 Ultra, slated for early 2026, represents the culmination of this trajectory. Official filings with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and China’s 3C certification confirm the device will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (code‑named SM8850), a premium 4‑nm SoC that adds an AI‑dedicated accelerator, a revamped 5‑G modem, and a high‑performance GPU. Samsung is also expanding satellite connectivity beyond emergency SOS to include low‑bandwidth text messaging, initially for the Chinese market but expected to roll out globally later in 2026. Together with a 5 000 mAh battery that supports 60 W wired and 30 W wireless fast charging,a 200 MP primary sensor,and an AI‑optimised image‑processing pipeline,the S 26 Ultra is positioned as the most powerful and feature‑rich Samsung flagship to date.
In parallel with hardware upgrades, Samsung has been investing heavily in software AI integration.The company’s One UI 7 layer now incorporates a “Generative AI Assistant” that leverages the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s dedicated AI engine for on‑device language translation, real‑time photo enhancement, and contextual task suggestions. These AI‑ready capabilities, combined with the improved modem and satellite stack, aim to keep the Galaxy S 26 Ultra competitive against rivals such as Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro, both of which are also pushing AI‑centric features for 2026.
Key Specification Comparison
| Specification | Galaxy S 25 Ultra (2025) | Galaxy S 26 Ultra (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| SoC | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (SM8450) – 4 nm | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (SM8850) – 4 nm with AI accelerator |
| CPU / GPU | Octa‑core (3.2 GHz + 2.4 GHz) / Adreno 770 | octa‑core (3.3 GHz + 2.5 GHz) / Adreno 820 + AI Engine |
| Display | 6.8″ QHD+ dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz | 6.9″ QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz LTPO, 1 billion‑color support |
| Battery | 5 000 mAh, 45 W wired, 25 W wireless | 5 000 mAh, 60 W wired, 30 W wireless, 5 W reverse‑wireless |
| charging Time (0‑80 %) | ~35 minutes (45 W) | ~30 minutes (60 W) |
| Rear Camera System | 200 MP (wide) + 12 MP (ultrawide) + 10 MP (telephoto 3×) + 10 MP (telephoto 10×) | 200 MP (wide) + 12 MP (ultrawide) + 12 MP (telephoto 3×) + 12 MP (telephoto 10×) + TOF 3D sensor |
| Front Camera | 12 MP, 4K@30fps | 14 MP, 4K@30fps + AI‑enhanced portrait mode |
| Memory Options | 12 GB + 256 |
