While the tech world eagerly awaits the official February 25th Unpacked event, Samsung’s new flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, has already made an unexpected debut in Dubai. A blogger named Sahil Karoul reported purchasing the device from a local electronics store, breaking a strict sales embargo and giving the public a surprise first look at the highly anticipated smartphone.
An Unexpected Early Release
Typically, major retail chains receive new devices 10 to 14 days before their official release to ensure availability on launch day. These shipments are governed by a stringent embargo from the manufacturer, which prohibits sales before the specified date. However, it appears a retail outlet in Dubai disregarded Samsung’s protocol, allowing the premature sale. The blogger, Sahil Karoul, has since begun sharing his initial impressions and camera samples from the S26 Ultra on the social network X, sparking a wave of questions from users about the device’s new features and design.
What We Know So Far
The early unboxing confirms several rumored specifications for the flagship device. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display and be powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor in most regions. The camera system, a traditional strong point for the Ultra series, is rumored to include a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and a combination of 10MP and 50MP telephoto lenses. Leaks also suggest an increase in charging speeds, with the device supporting 60W wired and 25W wireless charging for its 5,000mAh battery. The starting price is anticipated to be around $1,299 in the United States.
Users have been particularly interested in the ergonomics of the new design, which reportedly features curvier corners compared to its predecessor, and the capabilities of the enhanced camera system. Karoul’s posts are providing the first real-world glimpse into these aspects before official reviews are permitted.
Market Context and Future Outlook
This premature release, while likely a headache for Samsung’s marketing team, generates significant organic buzz ahead of the official launch. However, breaking a sales embargo is a serious breach of trust between a manufacturer and a retailer, and it could lead to consequences for the store involved. For consumers, this early look provides a raw, unfiltered perspective on the device, free from the curated messaging of a planned launch event.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra enters a competitive market, facing off against rivals like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro. Samsung is positioning its new flagship as a device focused on stability and a refined user experience, with significant advancements in its Galaxy AI suite. As the official launch on February 25 approaches, the key question will be whether this accidental preview has stolen Samsung’s thunder or amplified the global hype for its latest premium offering. Full video reviews from Sahil Karoul and potentially other early owners are expected to surface in the coming days, well ahead of schedule.
