Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Leaks Point to Major AI-Focused Camera and Performance Upgrades

Details have emerged online regarding the capabilities of Samsung’s new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is expected to feature an advanced camera system powered by a proprietary ProVisual Engine. [27] The latest leaks, attributed to the reliable tipster Ice Universe, outline a device focused on significant performance gains in artificial intelligence and graphical processing, alongside a versatile new camera configuration. [18]

A Revamped Camera System with an AI Core

The upcoming flagship will reportedly feature a multi-lens setup designed for a wide range of photographic situations. The configuration is said to include a 12 MP front-facing module, a 200 MP primary sensor capable of 2x lossless zoom, a 50 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a dual telephoto lens system. [5, 17] This dual setup consists of a 50 MP lens with 5x optical zoom and 10x hybrid zoom capabilities, and an additional 10 MP module with 3x optical zoom. [5, 17] Central to these hardware upgrades is the next-generation ProVisual Engine, an AI-powered system aimed at enhancing image processing. [1, 21] Leaks suggest Samsung has developed a new noise reduction algorithm that eliminates banding issues seen in previous models, resulting in smoother gradients, particularly in skies. [24]

Custom Qualcomm Chipset Drives Performance

A key highlight of the leak is the use of a customized “Snapdragon for Galaxy” system-on-a-chip from Qualcomm, expected to be the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. [14, 15] This specialized chipset is reported to deliver substantial performance increases compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, with a 39% boost for the Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a 24% increase for the GPU, and a 19% rise in CPU performance. [18] This emphasis on the NPU underscores a strategic focus on accelerating on-device AI tasks and improving graphics, positioning the S26 Ultra to compete with rivals like the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, which it has reportedly surpassed in multi-core benchmark tests. [8, 9]

Battery and Charging Enhancements

The device is expected to be powered by a 5000 mAh battery, a capacity that has become standard for the Ultra line. [3, 5] However, support for upgraded super-fast charging is also claimed, with the phone reportedly reaching a 75% charge in approximately 30 minutes. [3, 18] Some reports even point to a jump to 60W wired charging, a notable improvement over the previous generation’s 45W. [1, 3, 16] The battery is also said to support up to 31 hours of video playback on a single charge. [5, 18]

Market Context and Future Outlook

The leaked specifications suggest that Samsung is continuing its strategy of refining its flagship offering with a strong emphasis on AI-driven features and powerful, specialized hardware. The significant NPU performance boost indicates a deeper integration of artificial intelligence throughout the operating system, from camera processing to system-level tasks. By focusing on a customized Snapdragon chip for all global versions of the Ultra, Samsung aims to deliver consistent high-end performance. [14] As the smartphone market pivots further towards on-device intelligence, the Galaxy S26 Ultra appears poised to be a strong contender, leveraging its advanced camera technology and processing power to challenge its primary competitors in the premium segment. [11]