Samsung is gearing up to launch its highly anticipated Galaxy S26 series in late January 2026, with the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra already generating significant buzz. Recent regulatory filings hint at key specifications and processor details for the device.
According to information gleaned from regulatory bodies, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will likely arrive in two variants, designated SM-S948B and SM-S948U, consistent with Samsung’s established naming conventions. The ‘U’ variant typically signifies a model tailored for a specific US carrier, while the ‘B’ variant is intended for global distribution.
Crucially, both versions are expected to be powered by the SM8850 processor, believed to be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. This development potentially settles the debate surrounding Samsung’s choice between its own Exynos silicon and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon for the Ultra model. The Snapdragon platform is generally recognized for its robust performance and efficient thermal management.
While Snapdragon processors have historically held a performance edge, recent benchmark results suggest the gap is narrowing. The Exynos 2600 has reportedly achieved competitive scores in single-core tests, although the Snapdragon maintains a lead in multi-core performance.
With the increasing integration of artificial intelligence in smartphones, optimizing processor performance for AI tasks is expected to be a major focus in 2026. This underscores the importance of integrated processors capable of handling AI software locally on the device.
The Exynos 2600 is also anticipated to feature in the standard Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ models. However, it remains unclear whether these models will exclusively utilize the Exynos processor.
Samsung is expected to unveil the full Galaxy S26 series, including complete specifications, at a Galaxy Unpacked event slated for late January 2026. DZWatch will be providing comprehensive coverage of the launch as it unfolds. Stay tuned for the latest updates.
