Galaxy S26 Ultra — 5 things it needs to justify the upgrade

Samsung’s flagship models have consistently been top best phone contenders and the Galaxy S25 Ultra is no exception. I’ve spent most of the year testing out the Galaxy S25 Ultra against key rivals like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pixel 10 Pro XL, which puts more pressure on the Galaxy S26 Ultra to succeed.

With the Galaxy S26 Ultra release coming likely in January, there are some changes and features that could make it a much more satisfying upgrade. Rumors about potential hardware upgrades get my attention the most, like how it’s likely to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — but then there are the other tips that hint at no change, like its battery capacity.

I know exactly the S25 Ultra's strengths and weaknesses, but here’s all the upgrades and features I want Samsung to make happen with the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Brighter screen, better privacy

One of the more interesting Galaxy S26 Ultra rumors I’ve been following pertains to the display. I already have the expectations that it’ll be brighter and better at mitigating reflections, but I’m eager about the potential of it having some sort of built-in privacy feature.

This so-called “Flex Magic” feature is supposedly going to limit the screen’s visibility from the sides, much like how I’ve seen from Zagg’s line of privacy screen protectors. This would be something new and different, but I hope that it doesn’t impact the screen’s brightness in such a way that it’d be dimmer.

A real StandBy mode

There’s rumors that the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s going to be getting the necessary magnets to give it Qi2 wireless charging support. Although that’s likely a welcome upgrade that should let me use all of my favorite MagSafe accessories with it, I would also like Samsung to give us a proper StandBy Mode — like the one that Apple has with the iPhone.

Samsung has also incorporated an always-on display with its flagship model, but it’d be even more helpful if it could have a StandBy mode that shows me the time and widgets when it’s in landscape mode while charging. This could be an easy upgrade to pull off.

Not only could it transform the Galaxy S26 Ultra into a versatile alarm clock that’d be worth being by my bedside, but it could also double as a digital photo frame. Heck, it would be even neater if it could act as a smart home hub much like the Google Pixel Tablet.

Bring back the 10x optical zoom

I really don’t understand why Samsung continues to keep the 3x optical zoom camera. Samsung’s tipped to yet again have a quadruple camera setup with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but despite the rumors about the 3x telephoto camera getting an upgrade from 10MP to 12MP, I would rather scrap it entirely and bring back the 10x optical zoom from before.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra was the last Samsung flagship phone to feature that, switching over to a 5x optical zoom camera with the Galaxy S24 Ultra — which remained with the S25 Ultra. Part of the reason why I think Samsung should drop this is because I think Samsung could achieve the same results with the upgraded 200MP main camera the S26 Ultra is tipped to get.

Through a combination of sensor zooming and image processing, Samsung could get the same ‘optical-like’ performance from just the main camera alone. This could leave room for a better periscope telephoto camera with 10x optical zoom. And if Samsung somehow comes out with its version of Google’s Pro Res Zoom, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could have zooming powers unlike anything else out there.

Samsung DeX refresh

If you’ve been following me, then you know how much I talk about Samsung DeX. I suspect it’ll be back with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but like the design of Samsung’s phones, it’s long overdue for an upgrade. Considering how Samsung has been working with Google on the Android 16 desktop mode, Samsung DeX needs more upgrades to make it unique.

I’ve tried using Samsung DeX with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and said it was a wasted opportunity because there’s nothing new with it. I’d like to see better window snapping support to allow up to 4 apps to run simultaneously in DeX, while an option to bring back multiple users would make it more convenient.

Google has its hidden desktop mode with the Pixel 10, but it’s still nowhere as helpful as DeX — which is why it desperately needs an update.

Bring on more dynamic cases

Google made slight alterations with its Pixel 10 Pro XL, while Apple dove deeper to redesign the iPhone 17 Pro Max — so I really want to see a makeover with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Out of all the flagship models out there, Samsung has the most boring design. That’s why I’d like to see a change.

The leaks hint at yet another subtle design change for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, like how it’ll have more rounded corners. Looking at all the leaked renders and photos that have been circulating around of late, it’s unlikely Samsung’s going to be making any changes to its design.

Instead, I want to see Samsung take a page out of the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s playbook by bringing more dynamic versions of its FlipSuit cases. I’ve played around with the ones for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and they add just the right amount of personalization to complement whatever design Samsung gives us with its flagship. Samsung already makes FlipSuit cases, but I want more dynamic ones that light up.

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