Samsung is not just releasing another flagship with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra—it’s orchestrating a quiet revolution. With the S26 Ultra, Samsung is reshaping its core smartphone strategy in ways that will have ripple effects across the tech industry. While earlier Galaxy Ultra phones have always symbolized power and premium quality, this time, Samsung is taking a more nuanced and calculated approach.
From cutting-edge hardware tweaks to a bold move away from full reliance on Google, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to be a reflection of a company that is not only listening to its audience but also taking control of its ecosystem. This information is also featured on 9to9trends’ YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out.
Design Rewind: No More Rings
One of the first and most noticeable updates comes in the form of a design adjustment. Ice Universe, a highly respected and reliable industry leaker, confirmed that Samsung is ditching the camera ring layout first seen on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The ring-based camera design sparked mixed reactions, and feedback from engineering sample evaluations made it clear that users preferred the more unified, less segmented look of earlier models like the S24 Ultra.
Samsung responded. With the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, we’re seeing a return to a simpler, cleaner rear design—proof that Samsung isn’t afraid to walk back design experiments that don’t land well with its core audience. In a market where visual identity matters as much as internal specs, this return to a trusted aesthetic is both a smart and safe move.
S Pen Drama Ends: It’s Staying
Rumors swirled about the potential removal of the S Pen—a defining feature of the Ultra lineup. But once again, Ice Universe stepped in to clarify: Samsung has zero intention of removing the S Pen from either the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the future S27 Ultra. The S Pen isn’t just an accessory; it represents a powerful productivity and creativity tool that differentiates the Ultra series from the competition. Dropping it would strip away a major part of what makes the Ultra line “Ultra.” Fortunately, that won’t be happening anytime soon.
RAM Upgrade Goes Global
On the performance side, Samsung is finally doing what fans have been asking for: delivering a consistent global spec for memory. The S26 Ultra will ship with 16 GB of RAM as a standard configuration across all markets. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra technically had a 16 GB variant, it was only available in limited markets such as South Korea and China. For users in other parts of the world, that upgrade wasn’t even an option. With the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung is leveling the playing field.
And the timing is strategic—Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is expected to feature 12 GB of RAM across all models. By pushing 16 GB globally, Samsung keeps its performance advantage intact while giving high-end users the kind of multitasking capability they’ve come to expect from a true flagship device.
A Thinner Body, Smarter Battery
Another fascinating detail revealed by Ice Universe involves the battery. While the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra retains the same 5000mAh capacity, it reportedly uses a higher energy density cell. This means the physical battery is now smaller in size, which gives Samsung the opportunity to slim down the device without sacrificing battery life. Instead of using the extra space to increase capacity, Samsung opted to reduce overall device thickness—a design decision that will likely be appreciated by users looking for a more comfortable in-hand feel.
But it’s not just the form factor that’s getting attention. Ice Universe also suggests that Samsung has introduced new charging technology aimed at reducing battery temperature during charging. This development could finally lead to a meaningful increase in charging speed—something Samsung has been relatively conservative with in recent years. While competitors have jumped to 100W+ charging speeds, Samsung has historically capped its devices at lower power to avoid overheating. If this new cooling tech proves effective, it could pave the way for significantly faster, safer charging times on the S26 Ultra.
Breaking Free from Google: The AI Rebalance
One of the biggest philosophical shifts in the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has to do with AI—and more specifically, Samsung’s relationship with Google. During the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s lifecycle, nearly every major AI feature was powered by Google’s Gemini platform. From smart photo editing to text summarization and real-time replies, Gemini dominated the user experience. Bixby, Samsung’s own AI assistant, was barely visible. In fact, many users felt like they were using a “Pixel Ultra” disguised as a Samsung device.
That’s changing now. According to a report from Bloomberg, Samsung is forging a deeper partnership with Perplexity AI, a growing AI company known for providing fast, citation-backed search results and high-performance AI services. The S26 Ultra is expected to ship with the Perplexity app pre-installed, and there’s speculation that it might even replace Gemini as the default assistant. Samsung’s own browser will also begin integrating Perplexity search, offering a refreshing break from Google’s ecosystem.
But that’s not all—Bixby is getting a second life. Perplexity is reportedly helping Samsung upgrade Bixby’s intelligence, giving it the tools it needs to compete again. This move isn’t about abandoning Google; it’s about regaining control. By investing in multiple AI partners, Samsung avoids over-reliance on a single provider and gains the flexibility to innovate on its own terms. Gemini will still be available as an option, but it will no longer be the only gateway to advanced AI features. Users will get choice, flexibility, and possibly new experiences that aren’t available on any other Android device.
A Future-Proof Ultra
Taken together, these changes paint a picture of a phone that’s not just spec-heavy—but strategically focused. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn’t just reacting to trends; it’s responding to pressure points in the ecosystem. Whether it’s the criticism around design, the call for better RAM distribution, or the growing demand for AI alternatives, Samsung is making deliberate choices that signal long-term thinking. It’s not trying to be just another Android flagship—it’s trying to become the Android benchmark.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Price and Availability
As of now, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to launch in January 2026, maintaining Samsung’s traditional flagship release window. The starting price is rumored to be $1,299, putting it right in line with premium flagships from Apple and Google. While not cheap, the price reflects the Ultra’s commitment to top-tier features, new partnerships, and a more refined overall experience.
Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
