Samsung’s next flagship is shaping up to be quietly ambitious. Recent certification filings and accessory leaks suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra will bundle a few meaningful upgrades — but not all of them will land everywhere.
A regional twist: satellite for emergencies
Documents from China’s CCC certification for a Samsung handset bearing model SM‑S9480 indicate that the Chinese variant of the Galaxy S26 Ultra includes direct satellite connectivity. That doesn’t mean global, always‑on satellite calling — instead, the capability appears focused on emergency use: sending messages or location details to local emergency services when there’s no cellular signal. Samsung has not confirmed full voice-over-satellite support, so expect messaging/location-first functionality if the feature ships as described.
Why China first? Manufacturers sometimes enable features regionally to satisfy local certification rules, partner arrangements or network partnerships. It’s also a reminder that a single phone name can hide important differences between markets.
Battery and charging: 5,000 mAh and 60W wired
The same CCC paperwork lists a 5,000 mAh battery for the S26 Ultra and confirms support for up to 60W wired charging (20V DC, 3A). That should quiet speculation that Samsung would step up to 5,200–5,500 mAh cells; instead, Samsung seems to stick with 5,000 mAh and faster charging. The company is expected to sell a compatible 60W charger separately — if you’re into buying accessories early, you can check latest price for comparable high‑watt USB‑C chargers while details finalize.
Chips and regional splits
Federal Communications Commission filings in the U.S. showed the S26 Ultra using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in at least that variant, while rumors and leaks point to Samsung using a new Exynos 2600 in some S26 and S26+ models in certain markets. In short: expect performance parity for the Ultra in many regions via Qualcomm silicon, with the usual regional chipset shuffle for the non‑Ultra models. For a wider look at the S26 family’s design direction and chipset showdown, see our Galaxy S26 preview(/news/samsung-galaxy-s26-preview).
Qi2 magnets, a redesigned battery pack and the little fixes that matter
Accessory certification databases and leaks have also surfaced a Samsung “Magnet Wireless Battery Pack” designed for the S26 series’ move to Qi2 magnets. Rather than sit flat, this battery pack extends its magnetic ring so it clears the phone’s camera module — a pragmatic fix for phones where the camera cluster sits too close to the wireless coil. The pack is listed with Qi2 (v2.1.0) support and a modest 15W output; that’s useful for topping up but won’t match short bursts of the fastest Qi2 speeds.
Samsung appears to be building Qi2 magnets into the phones themselves this generation (instead of relying on magnetized cases), which should make magnetic accessories more reliable. If you care about the ecosystem — chargers, stands and battery packs — these small design choices matter a lot.
What this means for buyers
If you want a Galaxy S26 Ultra with satellite emergency features, the caveat is clear: the capability may be regional. The longer list of improvements — faster wired charging, integrated Qi2 magnets and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for at least some variants — points to an iterative but practical upgrade cycle rather than a radical redesign. Samsung’s continued experimentation (from foldables to magnetic accessories) suggests the company is juggling many priorities; you can see that wider ambition in its prototype work too, including foldable and multi‑form projects that push the envelope on what a phone can be (/news/samsung-galaxy-trifold-unveiled-at-apec-showcase).
Expect Samsung to make formal announcements early next year when the S26 family launches. Until then, keep an eye on regional certification pages — they’re proving to be one of the clearest windows into what will actually ship, where, and with which quirks.