Samsung is gearing up to start 2026 with a bang, and all eyes are already on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the company’s next ultra-premium flagship smartphone. Expected to launch in early 2026, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will not only define Samsung’s smartphone strategy for the year but also set new benchmarks in performance, AI capabilities, and user experience.
For months, Samsung fans and tech enthusiasts have been asking one critical question about the upcoming flagship:
Will the Galaxy S26 Ultra use Exynos or Snapdragon?
Now, thanks to fresh regulatory listings, we finally have a clear answer — and it’s great news for power users.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Processor Confirmed: Snapdragon Takes the Lead
Recent FCC (Federal Communications Commission) certification filings have revealed key hardware details about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. FCC approvals are mandatory before any smartphone launch in the United States, making them one of the most reliable sources of pre-launch information.
According to the listings, two model numbers have surfaced:
- SM-S948U – Carrier-locked US variant
- SM-S948B – Global unlocked variant
Both of these Galaxy S26 Ultra models are listed with the same chipset identifier: SM8850.
This chipset corresponds to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, confirming that Samsung will power the Galaxy S26 Ultra with Snapdragon globally, at least for the Ultra model.
No Exynos for the Galaxy S26 Ultra
This effectively ends speculation around a potential Exynos-powered S26 Ultra. While Samsung continues to develop its in-house Exynos processors, the company appears to be reserving Snapdragon exclusively for its top-tier Ultra flagship, reinforcing its “best of the best” positioning.
Why Snapdragon Matters: Performance, Stability, and Thermal Control
For years, Samsung users have debated Snapdragon vs Exynos, especially in Galaxy S series devices. Historically, Snapdragon-powered Galaxy phones have delivered:
- Better sustained performance
- Improved thermal management
- More consistent gaming performance
- Stronger GPU optimization
- Better third-party app compatibility
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected to take things even further, delivering meaningful gains in CPU, GPU, and AI workloads.
Snapdragon vs Exynos 2600: Early Benchmarks
Early benchmark leaks spotted online suggest that Samsung’s upcoming Exynos 2600 is no slouch either. In fact, initial reports indicate:
- Single-core performance:
- Exynos 2600 – ~3,455
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 – ~2,885
- Multi-core performance:
- Exynos 2600 – ~11,621
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 – ~12,396
While Exynos appears competitive in single-core tasks, Snapdragon maintains a clear lead in multi-core performance, which is critical for multitasking, gaming, video editing, and AI processing.
Still, raw numbers don’t tell the full story — especially as we move into the AI-driven smartphone era.
Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy AI: A Major Focus for 2026
Samsung has made it clear that Galaxy AI will be at the center of its future smartphone strategy. By 2026, AI features are expected to go far beyond basic photo editing and text suggestions.
On-Device AI Will Be Crucial
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to emphasize on-device AI processing, which means:
- Faster AI responses
- Better privacy (less cloud dependency)
- Real-time language translation
- Advanced image and video generation
- Smarter voice assistants
- Context-aware automation
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is designed with dedicated AI acceleration hardware, giving it a potential edge in sustained AI workloads compared to general-purpose CPU-based processing.
Samsung is likely to optimize Galaxy AI features specifically for Snapdragon silicon on the Ultra model, ensuring maximum performance and reliability.
What About Exynos? Where Will It Be Used?
While the Galaxy S26 Ultra is confirmed to run Snapdragon, the situation may differ for the other models in the lineup.
Industry expectations suggest:
- Galaxy S26 – Likely Exynos 2600 in select regions
- Galaxy S26+ – Possibly Exynos 2600 or mixed availability
- Galaxy S26 Ultra – Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (confirmed)
Samsung may continue its dual-chip strategy for cost efficiency, using Exynos in non-Ultra models while keeping Snapdragon exclusive to its flagship powerhouse.
Galaxy S26 Ultra: Premium Hardware Philosophy Continues
By choosing Snapdragon again for the Ultra variant, Samsung reinforces a familiar pattern:
- Ultra model = best chipset
- Ultra model = highest performance ceiling
- Ultra model = maximum AI potential
This approach aligns with the expectations of users who spend top dollar on Samsung’s most expensive smartphone.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to combine:
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Advanced Galaxy AI features
- High-end camera system
- Premium display technology
- Long-term Android and security updates
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Launch Date: When to Expect It
Samsung traditionally kicks off the year with its Galaxy S series, and 2026 should be no different.
Expected Launch Timeline
- Galaxy Unpacked Event: Late January 2026
- Devices Launching:
- Galaxy S26
- Galaxy S26+
- Galaxy S26 Ultra
Availability is expected shortly after the announcement, with pre-orders opening within days of the launch event.
Final Thoughts: Galaxy S26 Ultra Is Shaping Up to Be a True Flagship
With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 now confirmed via regulatory filings, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be one of the most powerful Android smartphones of 2026.
Samsung’s decision to prioritize Snapdragon for the Ultra model signals a clear commitment to:
- Maximum performance
- Best-in-class AI processing
- Premium user experience
As Galaxy AI evolves and on-device intelligence becomes more important than ever, the Galaxy S26 Ultra looks ready to lead Samsung’s next generation of smartphones.
More details — including camera upgrades, battery capacity, display improvements, and pricing — are expected to surface as we move closer to launch.
Stay tuned.
