Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra aka Snapdrago 8 Elite Gen 5 finally Confirmed

Samsung has just given us a sneak peak of its new flagship smartphone Galaxy S26 Ultra as a recent FCC listing answered one of the biggest questions regarding the phone. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is said to be added on the US Federal Communication Commission (FCC) database confirming that it will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.

The past months have brought a lot of confusion on whether Samsung would go with Snapdragon or a different chip for its top-end mobile phone. A report from Forbes now seems to settle the matter basically confirming that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will be the one used for Galaxy S26 Ultra in all main global markets including the US.

The FCC listing talks about two model numbers—SM-S948U and SM-S948B. Following Samsung’s normal nomenclature, the “U” variant will probably be the carrier-locked version for the US while the “B” model is likely to be the unlocked one sold worldwide. Both listings point to the SM8850 chipset which is the latest flagship processor from Qualcomm.

Additional information from SammyFans indicates that there will be more upgrades added. The Galaxy S26 Ultra will surpass other smartphones, in fact, by featuring 60W wired fast charging and satellite connectivity, however, some questions are being raised about the availability of these features worldwide or they will be restricted to some areas like China only.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: What’s Likely Coming

So far, the leaks have shown a device that continues to represent the Ultra tradition of Samsung. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is scheduled to have a 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display that is not only massive but also has a refresh rate of 120Hz and brightness going up to 3,000 nits. In terms of software, it is expected to be equipped with One UI 8.5 that is based on Android 16.

From the design perspective, there might be a major change coming from the side of Samsung. Some reports are saying the company might get rid of the floating camera rings and opt for a pill-shaped rear camera module getting inspiration from the Galaxy Fold family.

Once again, the camera performance is highly likely to be the prime factor in the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra experience. If the early whispers are to be believed, Samsung is going for the tried and tested — one very big 200MP sensor as the leading light of the mighty quad-camera setup.Leaked information indicates the phone will have a massive camera array, consisting of a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a 50MP periscope lens with 5x digital zoom, and a 12MP telephoto lens providing 3x digital zoom, which will certainly allow the user to play around with the camera modes whether they are shooting landscapes, zooming in on distant subjects, or even capturing everyday moments. A 12MP selfie camera is expected to be in charge of the front for smooth handling of selfies, video calls, and casual snaps.

A 5,000mAh battery might be the power source for the device, complemented by 60W wired fast charging and Qi2 magnetic wireless charging. This entire configuration should allow the phone to be very active all day long and even under heavy use, and, thus, it will be less dependent on charging.

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Expected Specifications
• Display: 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• RAM: Up to 16GB
• Storage: Up to 1TB
• OS: One UI 8.5 based on Android 16
• Rear Camera: 200MP main + 50MP ultra-wide + 50MP periscope (5x optical zoom) + 12MP telephoto (3x zoom)
• Front Camera: 12MP
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Charging: 60W wired fast charging, Qi2 magnetic wireless charging

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to be a true flagship powerhouse with its projected launch in January 2026. If the leaks are accurate, Samsung fans will be treated to a modern design, super-fast performance, and the premium, no-compromise experience that has become synonymous with the Ultra series.