The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the phone that Samsung most wants you to compare with an iPhone Pro, so it is worth knowing exactly what it does and does not include. This page collects Samsung’s documented specifications, explains what they mean for the cable, charger and case you buy, and links out for repair and reviews. Every figure is traced to a source listed at the bottom of the page.
Key specs
| Release date | 2026-03-11 |
|---|---|
| Status | Current lineup |
| Charging port | USB-C |
| Wired charging (max, W) | 60 |
| Wireless charging | Qi |
| Charger in box | No |
| Display type | OLED |
| Display size (in) | 6.9 |
| Refresh rate (Hz) | 120 |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Storage options | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Launch price (USD, MSRP) | $1299.99 |
Two blanks are deliberate. The USB spec row is empty because we found no Samsung statement of a USB version for the US model. Wireless charging shows Qi because Samsung lists WPC compatibility, and we do not claim Qi2 because Samsung’s pages do not say it.
Where does the Galaxy S26 Ultra fit?
Samsung’s US announcement said the Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26+ and S26 were available to pre-order that day, with general availability starting March 11, 2026. The S26 Ultra started at $1,299.99 in the US with 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage, against $1,099.99 for the Galaxy S26+ and $899.99 for the Galaxy S26. Colors include Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue, with Pink Gold and Silver Shadow sold online at Samsung.com.
It sells well. Reporting on Counterpoint Research’s tracker puts the Galaxy S26 Ultra fourth in the world for Q2 2026. Counterpoint’s Q1 2026 report said it narrowly missed the top 10 while registering stronger initial sales than its predecessor, and pointed to the privacy display as its key highlight. It is also on Samsung’s current US lineup page. The Samsung hub covers the rest of the family, including the Galaxy A17 5G.
What cable does the Galaxy S26 Ultra use?
Samsung’s US support page lists a USB Type-C 3A charging cable among the contents of the box, so the phone charges over USB-C. Our USB-C explainer covers the connector: slim, reversible and defined by the USB-IF.
The “3A” rating is worth a note. Power Delivery cables traditionally top out at 100W using 5A cables, according to the USB-IF, but Samsung’s own support page says the box cable is the 3A one. Our USB Power Delivery page explains how higher voltages let chargers carry more power. We do not state a data speed because Samsung’s pages did not give a USB version for this model; for the general tiers, see the USB speed guide. To pick a replacement, read cable buying safety.
What charger does the Galaxy S26 Ultra need?
Wired. Samsung lists Super Fast Charging 3.0 at up to 60W, with up to 75% charge in around 30 minutes, and notes that the power adapter is sold separately and that you should use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables. Samsung’s US accessories page lists a 60W Power Adapter that delivers Super Fast Charging with USB Power Delivery 3.1, and a 45W Power Adapter as another option. Our PPS and Samsung Super Fast Charging page explains how Samsung’s earlier 25W and 45W versions work, and our wattage guide lists other published figures.
Because the box has no adapter, you either buy one or reuse one you own. Samsung’s guidance across its support pages is to use approved accessories and that other accessories can cause damage or void the warranty; see which charger is safe for my phone.
Wireless. Samsung lists Super Fast Wireless Charging up to 25W, noting the wireless charging is compatible with WPC, the Wireless Power Consortium that manages Qi. It also lists Wireless PowerShare, which lets the phone charge another compatible device. Samsung’s US page says its Magnet cases support fast wireless charging up to 25W and magnetic accessories. See Qi explained and our wireless charger guide.
The screen, explained
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1 to 120Hz) and 2600 nits peak brightness. Samsung says the 6.9-inch size is measured on the full rectangle and the screen is 6.7 inches accounting for the rounded corners. Its product page describes an anti-reflective display.
The headline feature is the built-in Privacy Display. Samsung says it is the world’s first on a mobile phone, and it lets you hide your whole screen, specific apps, or incoming notifications and passwords. Samsung says it works by controlling how pixels disperse light, unlike stick-on privacy films. You can switch it on from the Quick Panel.
Samsung calls the panel AMOLED, which it describes as a type of OLED; read OLED explained and, for what a 1 to 120Hz range means, the refresh rate guide. Samsung’s pages for this phone do not use the term LTPO, so we label it plain OLED; our LTPO OLED page covers the related technology.
Performance, cameras and battery
The phone uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, built on 3nm, with 12GB of RAM for the 256GB and 512GB models and 16GB for 1TB. The 5,000 mAh battery is a typical value, with a rated minimum capacity of 4,855 mAh, according to Samsung’s footnote.
The cameras are a 200MP wide, a 50MP ultra wide, a 10MP 3x telephoto and a 50MP 5x telephoto. Samsung lists 3x and 5x optical zoom, 2x and 10x optical-quality zoom and 100x digital zoom. The selfie camera is 12MP. Video goes up to 8K at 30fps or 4K at 120fps in Pro Video. The S Pen is included and pre-installed in its slot.
Build and durability
Samsung says the Galaxy S26 Ultra has an Armor Aluminum frame and is fortified with Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on the front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back. Samsung’s Hong Kong product page lists IP68 dust and water resistance for the phone. It measures 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9 mm and weighs 214 grams.
For software, Samsung says the Galaxy S26 series is supported with seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the global launch date.
What is in the box
Samsung’s US support page lists the contents: the phone, a USB Type-C 3A charging cable and a SIM ejector tool, with the S Pen pre-installed in its slot. There is no power adapter, and Samsung’s specification table says it is sold separately and that you should use Samsung-approved chargers and cables. Because Samsung’s headline charging figure needs the 60W adapter, a buyer who wants the advertised speed should budget for that adapter on top of the phone. A 45W adapter is also listed on Samsung’s US accessories page, and our wattage guide shows how the published figures fit together.
Repair overview
iFixit has a device page for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. When we checked it listed no repairability score, so we show none and link only to the device page. We never copy iFixit’s guides.
Read our repair overview for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, battery replacement basics, screen replacement basics and how to read repairability scores. Our battery page cites Apple’s guidance because we have not yet found a Samsung equivalent; the FAA notes that all lithium-ion batteries can overheat, so battery work is best left to trained technicians.
Video reviews
We have not verified individual review videos for this phone, so we do not list any. You can browse more video reviews of the Galaxy S26 Ultra on YouTube.
Compatible accessories
Samsung lists silicone, slim, rugged and clear Magnet cases, anti-reflecting screen films and 60W and 45W adapters for this phone. We do not have affiliate links yet; when we do they will be marked as paid links.
See the accessories hub, chargers and power banks, which have airline rules.
Who should buy it, and who might skip it
Facts that help you decide:
- You want fast wired charging. Samsung lists up to 60W and up to 75% in around 30 minutes with an adapter you buy separately.
- You want an S Pen. Samsung says it is included in the phone.
- You want screen privacy. The built-in Privacy Display is a feature Samsung calls a world first on mobile.
- You want long software support. Samsung lists seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the S26 series.
- You want a charger in the box. None is included; budget for a 60W adapter.
- You want a lower price. It launched at $1,299.99; the Galaxy S26 launched at $899.99.