As the year draws to a close, the rumor mill for Samsung's next flagship is already in full swing. With an expected launch in early 2026, new leaks are providing our clearest look yet at the potential design of the Galaxy S26 Ultra and hinting at significant software-driven camera enhancements. These developments suggest Samsung is preparing a notable upgrade for its top-tier smartphone, focusing on both form and function to stay competitive in the high-end market.
Dummy Units Offer First Glimpse of S26 Ultra Design
Fresh images and a hands-on video of what are claimed to be dummy units for the Galaxy S26 Ultra have surfaced, offering a tangible preview of the phone's potential aesthetics. The dummies show the S26 Ultra adopting a design language more aligned with the standard Galaxy S26 model, featuring a distinct oval-shaped rear camera island housing three lenses. Notably, the curvature of the phone's corners appears identical between the Ultra and standard models, a design harmony not seen in recent generations. While these non-functional models lack the finish of a final product, they strongly indicate a shift towards a more unified design family for the S26 series.
Reported Galaxy S26 Ultra Specifications & Features
- Design: Oval-shaped rear camera island, unified corner curvature with standard S26 model.
- Camera (Rumored): New wider aperture lens for improved low-light performance. Enhanced Camera Assistant software with video-specific controls for softness and autofocus tuning.
- Processor: Exynos 2600 (South Korea) / Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (Global).
- Expected Launch: Early 2026 (January or February).
Camera Assistant Gets Major Video Recording Upgrades
Beyond hardware, a deeper software evolution seems to be in the works. Code discovered within the upcoming One UI 8.5 points to substantial new features coming to the Camera Assistant app, specifically tailored for video recording. These tools appear to be adaptations of existing photographic controls, now applied to video. Key among them is a new "softness" control, allowing users to choose between Off, Medium, and High levels of video sharpening to achieve more natural-looking footage. Additionally, users may gain the ability to fine-tune the speed and sensitivity of autofocus during video capture, providing greater creative control over focus transitions.
New Camera Assistant Video Features (Per One UI 8.5 Code)
- Video Softness Control: Adjusts sharpening level (Off, Medium, High).
- Autofocus Control: Customizable speed and sensitivity for video recording autofocus.
A Potential Response to Market Critique
These rumored changes arrive amid longstanding criticism that Samsung has been too conservative with camera hardware updates on its Ultra models. The move to reintroduce a prominent camera island on the S26 Ultra is reportedly to accommodate a wider aperture lens, promising better low-light performance. Coupled with the advanced software controls, it signals a concerted effort to revitalize the camera system. If these features remain exclusive to the S26 Ultra, as some code suggests, it would create a clear generational divide and a compelling reason for users to upgrade, positioning Samsung to more effectively challenge competitors like Apple's iPhone lineup.
The Road to an Early 2026 Launch
The final puzzle piece is the launch timeline. Recent rumors have been split between a January or February 2026 unveiling, consistent with Samsung's traditional early-year release schedule. Under the hood, the device is expected to feature a dual-chipset strategy: the Exynos 2600 in South Korea and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for most other global markets. As the last hours of 2025 tick by, these combined leaks of design, features, and performance specs paint a picture of a Samsung preparing a significant and thoughtful update for its flagship champion.