Lead
Rumors suggest Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra could arrive in the coming weeks, and long-time reviewer Andrew Lanxon lays out a wishlist of concrete upgrades he believes would make the handset truly standout. He argues the S-series has been technically dependable but conservative across recent generations, and the S26 Ultra is an opportunity to close the gap with more adventurous rivals. Key demands include a physically larger main sensor, better community-driven photo presets, a smaller Ultra size option, bolder finishes, and faster, higher-capacity batteries. The author warns these changes may raise cost but says they would meaningfully improve the flagship experience.
Key Takeaways
- The S25 Ultra currently uses a 5,000‑mAh battery with up to 45W wired charging; those specs have remained steady since the S22 Ultra.
- Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra uses a 1‑inch type main sensor, a physical advantage that can improve dynamic range and low‑light detail.
- OnePlus 15 is cited for offering 80W wired charging and a notably large 7,300‑mAh cell in its class, demonstrating faster charging and higher capacity are available.
- The S25 Ultra and its siblings share similar camera hardware across models, making it harder for buyers to distinguish flagship capability between sizes.
- There is demand for shareable custom photo presets—allowing users to export/import community-created looks would strengthen Samsung’s mobile photography ecosystem.
- Many reviewers and users find the S25 Ultra’s 6.9‑inch body unwieldy; a compact Ultra would address one-handed use and pocketability.
- More adventurous colorways and tactile materials (fabric, metallic pink, richer hues) are seen as a route to broaden appeal beyond muted tones.
Background
Samsung has remained a leading global smartphone seller for years, regularly outselling competitors such as Apple and Google by volume. The Galaxy S Ultra line has been pitched as Samsung’s showcase for camera tech, performance and premium features, with incremental changes often focused on software improvements and slight hardware tweaks. Over the past several generations the company has prioritized consistency—resulting in dependable phones but fewer radical shifts in camera hardware or battery chemistry.
At the same time, a number of Chinese manufacturers and smaller brands have pushed aggressive hardware experimentation: larger physical sensors, very fast charging standards, and different material choices to stand out on design. Those moves have reshaped expectations for what a flagship can offer, especially among photography-minded users and power users who value battery endurance and charging speed. Against that backdrop, the S26 Ultra represents a moment where Samsung can either maintain the status quo or lean into bolder hardware and ecosystem features.
Main Event
First on the wishlist is a larger main image sensor for the S26 Ultra. A physically bigger sensor, such as a 1‑inch type used in some rival devices, captures more light per pixel and reduces reliance on aggressive computational blending. That can translate into better dynamic range, cleaner shadow detail and images that look more natural without heavily processed HDR signatures—attributes that appeal to advanced amateurs and professionals.
The second request is an ecosystem feature: allow users to export and share custom photo presets. Samsung’s existing My Filter and preset tools let individuals create tailored looks, but there is no simple, visible way for owners to distribute those looks to others. Opening a curated marketplace or community library for presets would create social momentum—similar to how Fujifilm “recipes” built a devoted user base around film-like looks.
Third is a call for a smaller Ultra model. The current Ultra footprint—around a 6.9‑inch display on recent models—places many consumers between pocketability and flagship hardware. Packing the same chipset and camera sensors into a roughly 6.3–6.5‑inch chassis would broaden appeal to users who prioritize single-hand use but still want top-tier performance. Samsung has historically limited its best specs to one large size, and revisiting that choice could win back buyers who currently opt for smaller competitors.
Design and finish options are also highlighted. Beyond subtle tonal variants, the author asks for bolder colorways and alternative materials to make the Ultra feel less formal and more personal—bringing playfulness back into flagship handset design. Finally, battery and charging are raised: modern competitors now ship higher-capacity cells and 80–100W charging in some regions; Samsung’s 5,000‑mAh/45W baseline feels dated to some reviewers given recent advances in cell chemistry and charging stacks.
Analysis & Implications
Introducing a larger main sensor would be a significant hardware shift with supply‑chain and design implications. A 1‑inch class sensor occupies more volume and requires optical redesign of the lens stack and chassis, potentially increasing thickness or forcing trade-offs in other components. It also carries a cost premium; Samsung would need to balance price against perceived camera leadership benefits.
Opening presets to a user community would mainly be a software and services play with relatively low manufacturing cost. It could strengthen brand loyalty and provide recurring engagement, as photographers swap styles and creators monetize or gain recognition. That feature would also encourage third‑party creativity and might differentiate Samsung in a way that software alone has struggled to do.
Offering a smaller Ultra variant shifts Samsung’s product strategy: it reduces the implicit choice forced upon buyers who want both performance and pocketability. Doing so could cost Samsung some internal SKU simplicity but might boost conversions among users who currently choose smaller phones from other ecosystems. If Samsung also ships the S Pen as an accessory rather than forcing it internally, the company could retain note-taking fans while slimming the chassis.
Battery improvements and much faster wired charging would address two perennial user complaints—endurance and downtime. However, higher capacity batteries increase weight and size, while ultra-fast charging requires thermal management and approval in different markets. Samsung would need to reconcile regulatory, safety and manufacturing constraints before matching some of the fastest charging numbers seen elsewhere.
Comparison & Data
| Device | Main Sensor | Battery (mAh) | Max Wired Charge (W) | Display Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S22 Ultra | Conventional multi‑module (smaller than 1″ type) | 5,000 | 45 | ~6.8–6.9″ |
| S25 Ultra | Similar high‑res multi‑module | 5,000 | 45 | 6.9″ |
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | 1‑inch type (larger physical sensor) | Varies by model | Varies | ~6.7″ |
| OnePlus 15 | High‑performance module | 7,300 | 80 | ~6.8″ |
The table highlights why a larger sensor and upgraded battery strategy are central to the argument: sensor size is a physical advantage that computational photography can complement but not fully replace, while battery capacity and charging rates are tangible user‑facing improvements. Exact Xiaomi and OnePlus specs vary by submodel and market; the table keeps to the key comparisons raised in this analysis.
Reactions & Quotes
Below are short, attributed excerpts that capture the review perspective and a succinct critique of current battery expectations.
“A bigger image sensor can capture more light and reduce the heavy lifting required of software processing.”
Andrew Lanxon / CNET
Context: This quotation emphasizes the physical benefits of larger sensors—better low‑light performance and more natural shadows—a central technical rationale for the request.
“The S25 Ultra’s 5,000‑mAh cell and 45W top‑up, while serviceable, feel increasingly conservative next to some rivals.”
Andrew Lanxon / CNET
Context: This paraphrased remark frames the battery and charging ask as a competitive necessity rather than a mere checkbox for enthusiasts.
Unconfirmed
- The exact launch window for the Galaxy S26 Ultra is based on rumors and has not been officially confirmed by Samsung.
- No official Samsung specification sheet has confirmed a 1‑inch type sensor or a specific battery capacity for the S26 Ultra.
- Price and final regional charging limits remain unannounced; reported component shortages and tariffs could alter launch pricing or specs.
Bottom Line
The S26 Ultra moment is less about incremental polish and more about strategic choices: invest in physically larger sensor hardware, embrace community features for photography, reconsider size options, and modernize power delivery. Each change carries trade‑offs in cost, design and supply chain complexity, but together they would reposition Samsung as a risk‑taking leader rather than a steady, incrementalist incumbent.
For buyers, the most meaningful wins would be image quality that competes more directly with mirrorless cameras, better day‑to‑day battery life coupled with faster top‑ups, and an Ultra that fits comfortably in a broader range of pockets and hands. If Samsung implements even a subset of these ideas without a dramatic price jump, the S26 Ultra could recapture excitement and broaden its appeal.
Sources
- CNET — original review and wishlist piece (journalism)
- Samsung Official Website (manufacturer)
- Xiaomi Global (manufacturer)
- OnePlus Official Website (manufacturer)