Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: One Chip to Rule Them All

Two Samsung smartphones with model numbers SM-948B and SM-948U have received FCC certification, with the SM-948U previously listed in the GSMA IMEI database as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. According to the documentation, both versions are built on the Qualcomm SM8850 SoC – catalog number Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This confirms the use of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Following Samsung’s standard naming convention, the SM-948B is intended for the global market, while the SM-948U is for U.S. carriers. This confirms that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will rely on the Qualcomm SoC for all global markets.

Preliminary data indicates that the Samsung Galaxy S26 with the Exynos 2600 SoC will be sold exclusively in South Korea, while other markets will receive the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Despite rumors about the Exynos line being phased out, Samsung continues to reserve these processors for specific regions, showcasing a strategic alignment between Exynos and Snapdragon chipsets. Recent benchmarks have shown significant improvements in performance efficiency and AI capabilities for both chip options, though the Snapdragon model boasts a slight edge in GPU capabilities.