Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Improvements Tipped Ahead of Unpacked Tonight: Faster Charging, AI Camera, and More

Photo Credit: Sahil Karoul

Faster Charging and Smoother Software

One of the most noticeable upgrades is charging speed. The Galaxy S26 Ultra reportedly charges much faster than before, which should significantly improve day-to-day usability. On the software front, One UI 8.5 is described as snappy, indicating smoother animations, quicker app launches, and better overall responsiveness.

Improved Thermal Performance

Thermal management appears to be another area of focus. According to Sahil, the Galaxy S26 Ultra does not exhibit heating issues during use, suggesting improved chipset optimisation and a more efficient cooling system.

Camera Gets an AI Boost

While the camera hardware is largely unchanged, Samsung seems to be doubling down on AI. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is said to rely more heavily on AI processing, which could enhance image quality through better scene recognition, HDR tuning, and low-light performance.

Display Tweaks for Better Comfort

The display continues to be a strong point, with reports pointing to 480Hz PWM dimming to reduce eye strain. Outdoor visibility is also said to be very good, making the screen easier to read under direct sunlight.

Changes to the S Pen and Wireless Charging

There are a few notable hardware changes as well. The S Pen can now be inserted properly from one side but drops Bluetooth functionality altogether. Additionally, the Galaxy S26 Ultra reportedly does not include magnets for wireless charging, suggesting Samsung is skipping magnetic alignment support this year.

Taken together, these early impressions suggest that the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a refinement-focused upgrade rather than a radical overhaul. Samsung appears to be prioritising performance optimisation, software smoothness, display comfort, and AI-driven camera enhancements, while also making some pragmatic hardware decisions around the S Pen and wireless charging.