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Samsung has quietly begun mass production of the Galaxy S26 Ultra this December, according to industry reports, while the standard Galaxy S26 and S26+ are expected to enter production early next year. The move reflects production priorities and some pragmatic design decisions as component costs rise.
Why the Ultra leads the charge
The Ultra variant typically accounts for roughly half of S-series sales, so it’s no surprise Samsung is ramping up S26 Ultra output first. Industry sources reporting the schedule say the base S26 and S26+ will follow once the Ultra’s volumes are secured, giving Samsung room to meet early demand for the top-tier model.
Base Galaxy S26 keeps last year’s camera hardware — by design
If you were hoping for a camera overhaul across the entire lineup, here’s the catch: Samsung reportedly decided to retain the Galaxy S25’s camera modules for the standard S26 model. Why hold back? Inflation and higher component costs pushed Samsung to preserve price competitiveness — notably to match the base iPhone 17, which launched without a year-over-year price increase.
That means the S26 base is expected to ship with a familiar triple-camera setup:
- 50MP wide-angle main camera
- 12MP ultra-wide camera
- 10MP telephoto camera
Samsung had prepared the S26’s internal layout to accept upgraded modules, so engineers may tweak component placement now that the decision to reuse S25 parts is final.
What’s likely unchanged in the S26 Ultra
Leaks suggest Samsung is playing it safe for the S26 Ultra’s imaging suite as well, with little deviation from the S25 Ultra. Reported components include:
- 12MP ISOCELL 3LD (S5K3LD) 3x telephoto — possibly a smaller 1/3.94-inch sensor
- 200MP ISOCELL HP2 main camera (with potential aperture tweaks)
- 50MP ultra-wide (ISOCELL JN3 or Sony IMX564)
- 50MP IMX854 5x periscope telephoto (possibly with a wider aperture)
- 12MP IMX874 front-facing camera
So if you own an S25 Ultra, the photographic experience on the S26 Ultra may feel very familiar — but small sensor and aperture refinements could still improve real-world performance.
Magnets, faster wireless charging and a new accessory market
Another notable change: the S26 series is expected to launch with built-in magnets. Those magnets are intended to boost wireless charging speeds and will likely spark a wave of magnetic accessories designed specifically for the phones — cases, mounts and snap-on chargers included.
All told, Samsung’s approach to the S26 lineup appears measured: prioritize Ultra production to meet demand, reuse stable camera hardware where it helps control costs, and introduce accessory-friendly features to enhance the platform. For buyers, that means a familiar camera experience on the base model, a dependable flagship Ultra variant, and a new magnetic ecosystem to watch.
Source: wccftech
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