- The Galaxy S26 Ultra's leaked Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 11,738 suggests a nearly 20% lead over the rumored iPhone 17 Pro Max and a 30% year-over-year performance gain.
- Despite a potential new chipset, leaked marketing materials indicate the S26 Ultra's battery capacity will remain at 5,000mAh, with charging speeds possibly seeing only a technical upgrade.
- The device is slated for an official unveiling on February 25, positioning it as a major performance contender against Apple's upcoming flagship.
Here's a plot twist for the yearly phone spec war. A fresh leak for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra shows a Geekbench score that doesn't just beat last year's model, it absolutely smokes the numbers we're hearing for Apple's next iPhone. That's the headline. But the fine print tells a different, weirder story about the battery. Samsung's playing a strange game here, pushing raw power in one hand while seemingly standing still with power hardware in the other.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Key Specifications
| Specification | Galaxy S26 Ultra (Leaked) | iPhone 17 Pro Max (Leaked) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Unnamed Samsung/Qualcomm | Apple A19 Pro |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core | 3,852 | Not specified |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core | 11,738 | High 9,000 range |
| Battery Capacity (Advertised) | 5,000mAh (estimated) | Not specified |
| Video Playback Time | Up to 31 hours | Not specified |
| Wired Charging Speed | 45W-60W (conflicting data) | Not specified |
Processor and Performance Benchmarks
Let's talk about that number: 11,738. That's the multi-core Geekbench 6 score for the S26 Ultra, paired with a single-core score of 3,852. On its own, it's just a big figure. But context is everything.
Generational Leap from S25 Ultra
Last year's S25 Ultra topped out around 10,000 in multi-core tests. So this new chip is about 30% faster on paper. For you, that means exporting a 4K video could take seconds instead of minutes. It means games that stuttered at max settings might not. It's the kind of year-over-year jump we just don't see anymore. Samsung's chip team wasn't messing around.
Head-to-Head with Apple's A19 Pro
Now for the fun part. Rumor has it Apple's A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro Max will score in the high 9,000s on the same multi-core test. If that's true, the S26 Ultra isn't just a little ahead, it's commanding a 20% lead. That's wild. Apple's chips have been the single-threaded kings for years, the efficiency champs. A deficit this large on paper is a big deal. But remember, Geekbench is a sprint. It doesn't tell you if the phone will throttle into a slideshow after five minutes of recording 8K video. Raw speed is one thing. Delivering it without melting your hand or killing your battery is the real trick.
Battery and Charging Specifications
And that brings us to the battery, which is where the story gets confusing. Leaked marketing slides promise "up to 31 hours of video playback." That's the exact same claim Samsung made for the S25 Ultra.
Capacity and Efficiency Implications
Identical endurance claims almost always mean an identical battery. So get ready for another 5,000mAh pack. Think about that. Samsung's supposedly using a chip that's 30% more powerful, but it isn't making the battery bigger to compensate. The only way this math works is if the new silicon is also way, way more efficient during lighter tasks. It's a bold strategy. They're betting everything on engineering a chip that can scream when you need it and sip power when you don't, all within the same physical space. It's a harder path than just shoving in a bigger battery.
Charging Speed Analysis
The charging situation is murky. One leak says 60W wired charging, up from 45W. But the promo material still says "0 to 75 percent in 30 minutes," same as before. So what's the point of 60W? It might help you get a slightly faster top-up from 50% to 80%, or it could just be a spec sheet win that doesn't change your daily routine. Unless Samsung changes its charging curve, you probably won't notice a difference plugging it in overnight.
Launch Context and Market Position
Mark your calendar for February 25. That's Samsung's Unpacked event, and you can bet they'll lead with this massive benchmark win. They'll target gamers, pro video editors, anyone who looks at spec sheets before they buy. The unchanged battery life claim is the quiet counterpoint to all that noise. It's Samsung saying, "Look how powerful we are, and don't worry, it'll still last all day." It's a balancing act. Performance gets the headlines. Battery life needs to avoid the complaints.
What the Specs Tell Us
On paper, this looks like Samsung's return to form as the raw performance leader. A 20% lead over Apple isn't just a win, it's a statement. But paper specs are a promise, and phones live in your pocket, not on a benchmark chart. That static 5,000mAh battery is the giant question mark hovering over this whole launch. If Samsung's new chip is both a powerhouse and incredibly efficient, it's a masterstroke. If it's just a powerhouse, you'll be hunting for a charger by lunch. We'll know which story is true not on February 25, but in the weeks after, when people actually use the thing.
Sources
- gizmochina.com
- mureks.co.id
- itzine.ru
