Main points
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra scored 3,761 points in the single-core test and 11,454 points in multi-core mode, outperforming the iPhone 17 Pro Max in multi-core performance by 17.6%.
- The official launch of the Galaxy S26 series is scheduled for February 25, 2026, and the Ultra model is expected to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor.
This is what the Galaxy S26 Ultra will probably look like / Andrew Lankson/CNET
The smartphone market is preparing for a major update that could radically change the balance of power between leading manufacturers. Recent tests of an as-yet-unannounced device from South Korean giant Samsung indicate a significant jump in performance. The indicators recorded in popular benchmark databases have caused lively discussions.
How did the Galaxy S26 Ultra outperform its main competitor?
Samsung's upcoming flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, has scored impressive results in the popular Geekbench 6 benchmark, indicating the manufacturer's serious ambitions in the fight for the title of the most powerful smartphone on the market. The novelty is based on a specially optimized Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, which, thanks to increased frequencies, allows the device to confidently compete with Apple's latest developments, writes WCCF TECH.
- According to the published data on Geekbench 6, the Galaxy S26 Ultra scored 3,761 points in the single-core test and 11,454 points in multi-core mode.
- For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, equipped with the A19 Pro chip, scores 3,894 points in the single-core test and 9,741 points in the multi-core test.
This means that while Apple still maintains a minimal 3.54 percent advantage in single-core speed, in scenarios using all cores, Samsung is ahead of its main competitor by a significant 17.6 percent.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset for the Galaxy line is its overclocking. The processor's performance cores operate at a frequency of 4.74 GHz, which is higher than the standard indicator of 4.61 GHz. This configuration provides the device with a significant increase in performance compared to its predecessor – the Galaxy S25 Ultra demonstrates indicators of 3,069 and 9,080 points, respectively. Thus, the new model has become 26 percent faster than its predecessor in multi-core mode.
Analysts note that previous leaks showed slightly lower results, but the latest tests indicate successful work by engineers on software and hardware optimization.
Productivity implications
Despite the high performance, the question of stability under load remains open. Since an overclocked processor generates more heat, the cooling system with an evaporative chamber, which is equipped with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, will undergo a serious test of efficiency in commercial samples.
When to expect a smartphone
The official presentation of the new series is scheduled for February 25, 2026.
The Ultra model is expected to come exclusively with Qualcomm processors, while the base models of the Galaxy S26 lineup may get different chips depending on the region, including the company's own Exynos 2600 processor.
The smartphones will be available in four primary colors: black, white, purple, and sky blue.
Another design variant of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra / Render by Evan Blass
While the benchmark results are only part of the bigger picture, they suggest that this year could be the turning point where Qualcomm can finally dethrone Apple as the leader in mobile performance.