Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Wait, why did Samsung do this?

s26 ultra

So, Samsung made certain changes to the Galaxy S26 Ultra without telling anyone, and some of these changes don’t make any sense at all because features we believed were only available on one model are now available on both. And on top of that, Samsung is miraculously shattering sales records for the exact opposite reason they wanted to. We have a lot to talk about, so let’s get started. So, first of all, the camera hardware isn’t going to change. We previously knew that, but the whole S26 series will get the new 24-megapixel photo mode.

And we finally understand how it works. And there’s a massive catch nobody saw coming. Please let me clarify. Until today, if you wanted 24-megapixel photographs, you had to use Expert Raw. Samsung geared it for advanced customers who knew the nitty-gritty of camera settings. But people who just shoot for fun won’t be able to use that feature. But now the main camera app will get 24 megapixels right away. Sounds amazing, right? You have to manually download and enable it using the Samsung camera assistance app. After that, casual users

will shoot in 24 megapixels by default. And according to Ice Universe, this 24-megapixel output really appears better than the S25 Ultra’s expert RAW. But here’s the problem. This mode requires up to 3 seconds of background processing. No, this is not shutter lag. The shutter fires instantly, but you won’t see the final processed image for a few seconds. So, if you want speedy results, you’re still restricted to 12 megapixels. But if you don’t want to sacrifice on quality, 24 megapixels will be the new go-to. And

Yeah, this is Samsung finally catching up to Apple’s 24-megapixel default accessibility since the iPhone 15 Pro. So, now you’re probably wondering, “Okay, so my S25 Ultra will get this with One UI 8.5, right?” And this is where Samsung pulls the plug. Ice Universe says the S25 hardware can clearly operate this mode, but Samsung is restricting it to the S26 series regardless. And sure, this is Samsung being Samsung. If you want this feature, you’re upgrading. End of tale. Now, let’s proceed to something we thought

The S26 Ultra exclusive, but it turns out Samsung had a trick prepared: the privacy display. We saw in the One UI 8.5 leak how this functionality will work. Early sources indicated only the Ultra would get it, but a leaker installed an internal One UI 8.5 build on the S25 Plus. And guess what? The feature showed up. So, it’s now confirmed for the S25 Plus and the S25 Ultra, which means the complete S26 lineup will presumably get it, too. And honestly, this is big because the S26 and S26 Plus barely have hardware.

changes. And this feature alone might motivate people to upgrade. And no, you won’t get this feature on previous S25 models. That’s an S26 series exclusive capability that depends on internal hardware upgrades rather than merely software. Now, here’s something unexpected. Normally, series sales dip hard this time of year. Samsung announces new phones every January, and that’s never a surprise. But here’s the twist. The S25 lineup is selling approximately the same as launch months. And here’s why.

First, the discounts. That’s pretty normal. Every year, previous S models get discounted around this time. Which takes us to reason number two, the S26 price bump. Samsung execs acknowledged it themselves, and it’s virtually official in South Korea. And the third reason is the real kicker. The S26 and S26 Plus scarcely upgrade anything. So, many are saying, why spend more for the same thing? Speaking of modest updates, the S26 Plus just leaked on the TUV listing. It has a 4,755 mAh-rated battery advertised as 4,900 mAh.

And charging is unchanged at 45 W. Only the basic S26 gets a 300 mAh boost, and only the Ultra ultimately climbs to 60-watt charging. While all three models receive Chi 2.2 2 wireless charging technology. Samsung will debut the S26 series on February 25th in San Francisco. And according to the latest sources, release is scheduled globally around March 11th. But here’s the part nobody expected. Samsung is improving one function on the S26 Ultra after 7 years. And it’s not exactly what we’ve thought about. Click straight here to

Galaxy S26 Mass Production Numbers Show Ultra Is the Real Star

Mass manufacturing data suggest Samsung’s betting 6x more on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Right on time, according to rumors from Korea, the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ will commence mass production this month. Interestingly, Samsung’s bullish on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with the company making an expected six times the volume compared to the other variants.

We have strong memory and probably already know that Samsung’s canceled its Pro and Edge plans for now. That’s why the company’s going with the classic trio, and we’ll see the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Most notably, Samsung’s betting the least on the Galaxy S26+.

One reason Samsung isn’t overly bullish on the Galaxy S26+ is because it recognizes the upgrades aren’t much to write home about. For reference, the Galaxy S26’s screen size will be 6.27 inches, up 0.11 inches from its predecessor. The Galaxy S26+, meanwhile, will maintain the same screen as its predecessor, signifying limited changes. The newspaper claims this is due to Samsung revising its plans in mid-October.

Moreover, the report states that Samsung started mass-producing Galaxy S26+ components last month, with full production of the Plus and basic devices coming off this month. The basic model’s release was delayed to match the Plus, as Samsung focused on building up its flagship S26 Ultra, which is already in production.

This month’s output targets around 700,000 ordinary units, 600,000 Plus units, and 3.6 million Ultra units. Galaxy S26 and S26+ sales are climbing month over month, while S26 Ultra output is projected to decrease. All told, it looks like everything’s set for the big announcement next month.

155 thoughts on “Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Wait, why did Samsung do this?”

  4. heba

    Honestly, this headline says it all 😅 If the leaks are true, Samsung’s decision feels a bit confusing—especially for an Ultra model where users expect clear upgrades, not trade-offs. Curious to see the final specs, but right now it feels like a step sideways instead of forward.

    Reply
  9. doaa salem

    Samsung’s S26 strategy feels oddly mixed this year. Locking the 24MP mode to the S26 despite S25 hardware being capable seems like an artificial upgrade push, while the minimal changes to the base and Plus models explain why the Ultra is getting most of the attention. The production numbers really say it all—Samsung knows the Ultra is the only model that truly stands out.

    Reply
      1. Monirul islam

        The S25 isn’t even cold yet and we’re already seeing these wild S26 Ultra rumors. That specific design choice mentioned in the article is definitely going to polarize the fanbase. I’ve been following the leaks on tcoltech.com, and they always seem to catch the details that others miss. Definitely worth a read for any Samsung loyalists.

        Reply
  13. SHIHAB HOSSAIN

    Interesting move by Samsung. Making 24MP more accessible while still limiting it to the S26 series feels both smart and frustrating. The background processing delay is a fair trade-off for quality, but restricting capable S25 hardware is classic Samsung. The privacy display showing up across models is a pleasant surprise though. Overall, the S26 Ultra still stands out, even if the upgrades feel selective rather than revolutionary.

    Reply
    1. Md saifullah

      Woe..Interesting move by Samsung. Making 24MP more accessible while still limiting it to the S26 series feels both smart and frustrating. The background processing delay is a fair trade-off for quality, but restricting capable S25 hardware is classic Samsung. The privacy display showing up across models is a pleasant surprise though. Overall, the S26 Ultra still stands out, even if the upgrades feel selective rather than revolutionary…..

      Reply
  20. Lander Wattimena

    The S25 isn’t even cold yet and we’re already seeing these wild S26 Ultra rumors. That specific design choice mentioned in the article is definitely going to polarize the fanbase. I’ve been following the leaks on tcoltech.com, and they always seem to catch the details that others miss. Definitely worth a read for any Samsung loyalists.

    Reply
    1. Shabir Ahmed

      That’s so true! It feels like the S25 just arrived, and the hype train for the S26 Ultra is already moving at full speed. Samsung really knows how to keep everyone on their toes. I totally agree about tcoltech.com—their insights are always so detailed and spot on. It’ll be interesting to see how that design choice actually looks in person!

      Reply
  38. Hany

    A comprehensive and thorough review of a mobile phone that is considered one of the best. The article covered a lot of valuable information about the phone. I was very impressed with this comprehensive review.

    Reply
  44. Sadat Labib

    Didn’t expect the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to matter this much, but after reading this, Samsung’s focus actually feels logical. The small changes add up more than I thought.

    Reply
  45. Tom

    It’s exciting to see Samsung making bold moves with the Galaxy S26 Ultra! While some changes might seem unexpected, the fact that they are shattering sales records shows that users are truly resonating with this new direction. I’m especially glad to see premium features becoming more widely available across the lineup—it’s a great win for all tech fans.

    Reply
  49. isige441

    🔥 **Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — the Android titan of 2026!** With a stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED display, monster Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 power, pro-level quad cameras (200 MP + versatile zoom), blazing fast 60 W charging, and AI-smarts galore, this flagship is built to crush every task you throw at it — all wrapped in premium design and long-term software support. ([WhatMobile][1])

    Reply
  52. Ariful Islam

    Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has me genuinely confused. Samsung usually refines, not removes, yet this change feels like a step backward rather than innovation. Power users expect bold upgrades, not compromises disguised as “design choices.” If this rumor is true, Samsung risks alienating loyal fans who value function as much as flagship branding.

    Reply
  72. Khadija Islam

    Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra surprised many because Samsung introduced some unexpected design or feature changes, like a revamped camera setup, altered materials, or removed popular features. These moves seem aimed at pushing innovation or cost-efficiency but have sparked debate among fans wondering why Samsung chose this path.

    Reply
  79. Daniel

    Samsung want the new features, you upgrade. The privacy display showing up beyond the Ultra is a nice surprise, especially since the S26 and S26 Plus barely change. With higher prices and minimal upgrades, it’s no shock the S25 is still selling strong. Curious if that long-awaited Ultra improvement will really be worth it.

    Reply
  82. Baby Omega PlusUltra

    Samsung always makes unexpected breakthroughs, sometimes positive and sometimes negative. Some updates are useful, while others are not at all! @.@

    Reply
  85. Chamudi Anushika

    Really excited to see Samsung pushing these camera upgrades! The 24MP option bringing better detail to more users is a great move. Feels like the S26 lineup is getting more powerful and smarter every year 👏📸

    Reply
  95. Ibnu salman

    Honestly, if ‘what they did’ is finally rounding off those sharp corners, I’m all for it. I love my Ultra, but using it without a case feels like holding a brick that’s trying to stab my palms. I know some people love the boxy Note look, but at this size, comfort has to come first. About time they prioritized how the phone actually feels in a hand!

    Reply
  98. dina fathy

    The S26 lineup feels unbalanced this year. While the new 24MP mode and privacy features are interesting, limiting them to newer models despite similar hardware is disappointing. With minimal upgrades on the S26 and S26+, many users may see little reason to upgrade.

    Reply
  108. Chamudi Anushika

    Samsung’s strategy this year feels a bit messy. Locking the new 24MP mode to the S26 despite the S25 being capable is frustrating, but it’s not surprising. The fact that Samsung is clearly betting big on the Ultra makes sense though, since it’s the only model that actually feels like a real upgrade.

    Reply
  117. nayeem

    Honestly, some of the changes feel like missteps. Certain design and feature decisions make me wonder who this phone is actually for. Samsung usually takes bold steps, but here it feels like they’re playing it too safe—or worse, confusing the core experience. Hoping the real-world performance surprises us, but right now I’m not sold.

    Reply
  118. Master

    I found this post interesting and useful. The information is clear and presented in a simple way. Keep up the good work.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5 removebg preview

TcolTech provides expert analysis and breaking news on the technology that matters most. We cover all aspects of mobile computing, next-generation hardware, and the AI revolution to help you make informed tech choices.

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Teams

For Now It’s Only TcolTech

© 2026 TcolTech. All Rights Reserved.