Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Performance Surfaces
With Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event just days away, early benchmark results for the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra have begun circulating online. As expected, the flagship device is set to run on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset in all global markets.
A listing on Geekbench for model number SM-S948B, believed to be a regional variant of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, shows improved scores compared to earlier test runs. The device achieved a single-core score of 3,761, up from 3,629, while the multi-core score climbed to 11,454 from 11,133.
Such incremental gains are typical as manufacturers finalize hardware tuning and optimize software ahead of release. Samsung historically refines performance profiles during the final pre-launch phase, and similar patterns have been observed across previous Galaxy generations and other flagship smartphones.
Snapdragon vs Exynos: Regional Differences Remain
While the Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 worldwide, the same cannot be said for the Galaxy S26+ and standard Galaxy S26 models. In many markets, those devices are expected to run on Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2600 chipset.
The Exynos variant is often associated with improved power efficiency and battery performance, though historically it has trailed Qualcomm’s flagship silicon in peak processing power. As a result, comparisons between Snapdragon and Exynos versions are likely to dominate early reviews and community discussions once the phones launch.
Key markets including the United States, Canada and China are expected to receive Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S26 and S26+ units. Other regions will primarily see Exynos-equipped models, continuing Samsung’s long-standing dual-chip strategy.
Launch Timeline Confirmed
Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 23. The company is expected to officially unveil the Galaxy S26 Ultra alongside the Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 during the presentation.
Pre-orders are anticipated to open on February 24, with general availability projected for March 11. As launch approaches, additional benchmark leaks and performance comparisons are likely to surface, offering a clearer picture of how Samsung’s latest flagship stacks up against competitors in 2026.
