Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC Launched in India: Price, Specs, Availability

Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy S26 Ultra in India and globally. The top-end S26 Ultra joins the vanilla Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus. Apart from the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, the Galaxy S26 Ultra looks a lot like the S25 Ultra on paper. Without any further delays, let's dive into the full specifications, pricing, and availability of the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Price in Europe

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra price is set at €1,450 (roughly Rs 1,55,650) for the base 16GB/256GB model. Moreover, the phone also comes in a 16GB/512GB variant that costs €1,650 (roughly Rs 1,77,100) and a top-end 16GB/1TB configuration that will set you back €1,950 (roughly Rs 2,09,300).

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra price in India starts at Rs. 1,39,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. The 12GB + 512GB model is priced at Rs. 1,59,999, while the top-end 16GB RAM + 1TB storage configuration costs Rs. 1,89,999.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is offered in Black, Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue and White as well as Silver, and Pink Gold options that are exclusive to Samsung.com. Pre-orders open ahead of the official launch on 11 March.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Performance, Battery, and Software

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile platform, irrespective of region. The phone will come with 16GB of LPPDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. The Galaxy S26 Ultra packs a 5,000 mAh battery with 60W wired charging support, though no charger is supplied in the box.

Wireless charging support goes up to 25W when paired with compatible Qi 2.2 chargers. The Galaxy S26 Ultra also supports 4.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing users to top up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches by placing them on the phone's back, which can be convenient during travel.

On the software side, the Galaxy S26 Ultra runs One UI 8.5 based on Android 16 and integrates several Galaxy AI tools. Photo Assist brings AI editing directly into the Gallery app for quick corrections and enhancements. Galaxy AI also automatically sorts screenshots into categories, helping users find receipts, tickets or chats faster.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Screen and Privacy Features

For the display, the S26 Ultra opts for a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic M14 AMOLED panel with HDR10+ support. The screen boasts an adaptive refresh rate and can switch between 1Hz to 120Hz. Peak local brightness reaches 2,600 nits, matching the S25 Ultra, and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 covers the front.

The standout upgrade is the new Privacy Display mode, which uses hardware control over individual pixels. Sections of the screen can dim and appear black when viewed from an angle. This limits visibility for people nearby on trains, buses or in queues, helping to keep messages and apps discreet.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Cameras: What's New

The camera hardware sees targeted tweaks rather than a full overhaul. The 200MP primary camera carries over but now has a wider f/1.4 aperture, letting in more light for darker scenes. Samsung states that the revised sensor can gather 47% more light, which should aid night photography and indoor shots.

The 10MP 3x telephoto camera now uses a smaller 1/3.94-inch sensor, compared with the S25 Ultra's 1/3.52-inch unit. The 50MP 5x telephoto lens adopts a brighter f/2.9 aperture, claimed to be 37% brighter than before. The 50MP ultrawide camera module remains unchanged from the previous generation.

Up front, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will retain a 12MP selfie camera, the same unit seen on the S25 Ultra. However, enhanced AI processing is expected to deliver more natural-looking selfies, with better rendering of skin tones and finer detail in hair textures.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Video Performance

The Galaxy S26 Ultra brings meaningful upgrades for videographers as well. Super Steady Film uses real-time gyro and accelerometer data to maintain level horizons and deliver ultra-stable footage.

The Frame feature enables dynamic 4K videos with AI-powered autoframing for sharper, more detailed shots. It also becomes the first Galaxy device to support the new Advanced Professional Video format, offering pro-grade 8K video recording at 30fps.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra keeps much of the S25 Ultra formula while refining specific areas. The Privacy Display, quicker 60W charging and brighter main camera stand out as the headline upgrades. Coupled with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and expanded Galaxy AI tools, it positions itself as Samsung's leading S-series device for 2026.