The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is inching closer to its global launch. The device, expected to debut alongside the Galaxy S26 and S26+ in January 2026, has just appeared on the US FCC certification website, revealing key hardware details and confirming support for advanced connectivity options.
Most importantly, the listing confirms that the US variant will feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, putting to rest some of the speculation surrounding Samsung’s chip strategy this year.
Let’s break down what the FCC listing reveals — and what it means for Samsung’s next ultra-flagship.
Certification
The FCC database has listed two models — A3LSMS948U and A3LSMS948B — believed to be regional variants of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. These are linked to model numbers:
- SM-S948B / SM-S948B/DS (likely global/international variants)
- SM-S948U / SM-S948U1 (likely US-specific variants)
This aligns with Samsung’s typical model coding system, where the “U” indicates a US version and “B” points to global or Europe-Asia markets.
Snapdragon Confirmed
According to the listing, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is paired with a chipset code SM8850, which corresponds to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — Qualcomm’s top-tier flagship SoC. This points to Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S26 Ultra units in the US, with possibly a custom “Galaxy” branded variant featuring higher clock speeds and optimized GPU performance.
Dual-Chip Strategy?
Samsung may still stick to a dual-chip strategy for the S26 series — as seen in previous years (except S25). That would mean:
| Region | Likely Chipset |
|---|---|
| USA, Japan, China | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| South Korea, Europe | Exynos 2600 (expected) |
While nothing is confirmed yet for other markets, the FCC listing confirms Snapdragon at least for the US market — where Samsung has traditionally reserved its highest-performance flagships.
Connectivity
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a connectivity powerhouse. The FCC listing confirms:
- 5G support
- Tri-band Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth
- NFC
- Ultra Wideband (UWB)
- Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) for reverse charging
This covers every major modern connectivity standard, ensuring the Ultra lives up to its name.
Display & Design (Leaked)
According to earlier leaks, the S26 Ultra will feature a:
- 6.9-inch M14 QHD+ CoE Dynamic AMOLED display
- Peak brightness of 2,600 nits — one of the brightest screens ever on a phone
This means better outdoor visibility, vibrant colors, and buttery-smooth visuals — likely at a 120Hz refresh rate.
Storage & Memory
Samsung seems to be going all-out on storage this time. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to come in:
- 256GB
- 512GB
- 1TB storage variants
All models are expected to ship with 16GB RAM as standard, ensuring top-tier performance across the board — whether you’re gaming, editing 4K video, or multitasking.
Camera
Samsung is sticking with its camera-first approach on the Ultra model. The S26 Ultra will reportedly pack a quad-camera setup, headlined by a:
- 200MP main sensor (likely second-gen ISOCELL HP sensor)
- Other lenses could include ultrawide, periscope telephoto, and depth/macro sensors
Samsung’s focus will likely be on improved image processing, low-light performance, and AI enhancements with HyperOS.
Battery & Charging
Battery capacity remains 5,000mAh, but charging gets a significant upgrade. For the first time, the Ultra is expected to support:
- 60W fast wired charging
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
While this doesn’t match some Chinese competitors pushing 120W+, it’s a step up from the previous 45W seen on earlier Galaxy Ultras.
Launch Timeline
All signs point to a January 2026 launch, following Samsung’s typical Unpacked event schedule. The S26 Ultra will headline the trio, with the standard Galaxy S26 and S26+ launching alongside it.
Expect an announcement in early January, with global availability rolling out in stages starting later that month.
Pricing
Though official pricing isn’t confirmed yet, here’s what we might expect:
| Variant | Expected Price (India) | US Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 256GB / 16GB RAM | ₹1,24,999 | $1,199 |
| 512GB / 16GB RAM | ₹1,34,999 | $1,299 |
| 1TB / 16GB RAM | ₹1,49,999 | $1,399 |
(Prices are approximate based on S25 Ultra and early leaks.)
FAQs
What chip powers the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The US variant features Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Has the Galaxy S26 Ultra passed FCC?
Yes, it’s listed under model numbers like SM-S948U.
Will S26 Ultra have Exynos chips too?
Possibly, in regions like Europe and South Korea.
How big is the Galaxy S26 Ultra screen?
It will have a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display.
What’s the charging speed of S26 Ultra?
It supports 60W fast wired charging.
