Quick answer: The Galaxy S26 Ultra will ship with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 across the Ultra lineup, and certification filings also point to faster charging and satellite connectivity for the new flagship.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Chipset Confirmation
Regulatory filings in the United States have clarified the long‑running Exynos versus Snapdragon debate for Samsung’s top model. Recent certification documents indicate the S26 Ultra is listed with the SM8850 chipset identifier, which corresponds to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, confirming Snapdragon power for the Ultra variant.
Model Numbers and What They Mean
Two model numbers tied to the S26 Ultra have appeared in public filings: SM‑S948B (global unlocked) and SM‑S948U (US carrier model). These entries align with Samsung’s usual naming scheme and reinforce that the Ultra will use the Snapdragon platform rather than Samsung’s in‑house Exynos for the flagship tier.
Charging, Battery, and Connectivity Upgrades
Additional certification records and reporting point to tangible hardware upgrades beyond the chipset. The S26 Ultra is expected to support 60W wired charging, up from the S25 Ultra’s 45W, and 25W wireless charging, paired with a 5,000 mAh battery that Samsung reportedly aims to charge from 0 to 80 percent in roughly 30 minutes. Chinese 3C listings also indicate direct satellite connectivity will be available in some markets, matching the emergency and messaging features introduced on prior Ultra models.
Performance Expectations and Benchmarks
Benchmarks circulating ahead of launch suggest the performance gap between Samsung’s Exynos silicon and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon has narrowed significantly. Early tests for the Exynos 2600 showed strong single‑core and multi‑core results, highlighting that Samsung’s in‑house chips are becoming more competitive even as the Ultra adopts Snapdragon for peak performance. Still, Snapdragon retains a reputation for consistent thermal and sustained performance in flagship devices, which helps explain Samsung’s choice for the Ultra model.
Galaxy AI and On‑Device Processing
Beyond raw CPU and GPU numbers, 2026 will be defined by on‑device AI workloads. The S26 Ultra’s hardware choices appear aimed at balancing raw compute with specialized silicon for AI tasks, enabling faster local processing for features Samsung will bundle under its Galaxy AI initiatives. How Snapdragon and Exynos compare on AI workloads in real‑world use remains to be seen, but the Ultra is positioned to showcase Samsung’s most advanced software and services for the year.
Launch Window and What to Expect
Samsung is widely expected to reveal the Galaxy S26 family at a Galaxy Unpacked event in late January 2026, where the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra will be announced. The Ultra will lead the lineup with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, faster charging, satellite support, and AI enhancements as its headline features.
Key takeaways: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for the Ultra; SM‑S948B / SM‑S948U model IDs; 60W wired charging and satellite connectivity; launch at Galaxy Unpacked late January 2026
