Are you eagerly waiting for the Galaxy S26? Many are already saving up for the new Samsung flagship expected to be launched in early 2026. If you’re among them, you’re likely wondering what the new S26 series will have to offer, particularly when it comes to chipsets. 
Will Samsung stick with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon or opt for its own Exynos processor?
Samsung has sometimes switched things up with chipsets. In the past, it has used Snapdragon silicon across all models in a device series, like in the Galaxy S25 lineup. However, there have been instances when Samsung offered different chips depending on the region, with Exynos processors being used in some markets. While this approach has caused some frustration for users who didn’t get the same hardware as others, it’s always been part of Samsung’s strategy.
If you’re eyeing the Galaxy S26 Ultra, you’re in for a treat. It looks like this flagship will likely use the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, based on an early firmware leak. The reference to a chipset named “PMK8850” matches Qualcomm’s naming convention for high-end chips, following the Snapdragon 8 Elite (model 8750) that powers the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This suggests the PMK8850 is the internal model number for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, which could be a major upgrade.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is rumored to feature a revamped Oryon CPU architecture. The chip is expected to reach clock speeds of 4.6GHz in its standard form, with a special “for Galaxy” version pushing it even further to 4.74GHz. This new chip promises up to 25% better performance, with major improvements in graphics as well. Qualcomm is expected to officially unveil the chip in September, so more details will be coming soon.
As for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, early leaks suggest it will feature a stunning 6.9-inch OLED display with improved brightness and color accuracy. The camera system could include a 200MP main sensor for exceptional low-light shots, along with a new 50MP periscope lens offering 5x optical zoom. For memory, options might include 12GB or 16GB of RAM, paired with a 5,000mAh battery. While the battery size isn’t mind-blowing compared to the larger batteries expected in mid-range phones soon, it’s still more than enough for most users.