Samsung’s next powerhouse phone might have just let a few secrets slip. A leaked firmware of One UI 8.5 has surfaced online and it’s packed with telling details. While fans wait for an official announcement, this early peek at the Galaxy S26 Ultra reveals some of its most anticipated features — including a big bump in charging speed and the use of Qualcomm’s yet-to-be-released top-tier processor.
The firmware, discovered and accessed by developers earlier today, seems to be a goldmine of confirmations. It directly references a 60W fast-charging capability and Qualcomm’s next-gen chip, tentatively titled the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. With these specs surfacing now, Samsung’s next flagship might already be setting the tone for 2025’s Android race.
Big Numbers, Bigger Speeds
Forget the typical 45W charging Samsung is ready to crank things up a notch.
Previous models like the Galaxy S24 Ultra were capped at 45W, which, let’s be honest, started to feel a bit behind as competitors pushed into higher wattage territory. With this leak, it’s now certain that the S26 Ultra will make the jump to 60W charging.
This kind of upgrade can slash charging times significantly. Though real-world performance will depend on thermal management and power delivery profiles, the move to 60W signals Samsung’s intention to stop playing it safe.
That also means buyers may finally get the flagship-level battery top-up speeds they’ve been asking for. No more settling for overnight charges or waiting around just to get to 50%.
Under the Hood: Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Enters the Chat
While the name isn’t confirmed, the firmware suggests Qualcomm’s next big chip will be called Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 a bold naming move that breaks from the recent “Gen” series.
There’s no official detail on what the Elite 2 will bring, but based on Qualcomm’s yearly cadence, expect these:
-
Higher clock speeds and improved efficiency on the 3 nm node
-
Upgraded GPU performance for gaming and AI workloads
-
Enhanced support for generative AI models running locally
-
A next-gen modem likely capable of faster mmWave performance
-
Better thermal throttling controls for sustained heavy use
Samsung’s early inclusion of this chip in its test firmware implies the Korean giant is once again positioning its Ultra model as a performance leader.
Charging Wars Heat Up
Samsung is late to the ultra-fast charging party and they know it.
While Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Realme have already hit 100W and beyond, Samsung has maintained a more conservative pace. Critics argue it’s been too cautious, but that might be changing.
A jump to 60W puts Samsung in a much better place to compete, especially considering it also improves over its own ecosystem including the Galaxy Book laptops and tablets.
But there’s a catch. As with previous devices, Samsung might require buyers to purchase the compatible fast charger separately, which could spark fresh criticism. Especially if the in-box charger remains limited or absent entirely.
One UI 8.5: Not Just Cosmetic
Firmware leaks don’t just reveal specs they reveal intent.
One UI 8.5, which was bundled with the leaked firmware, appears to be Samsung’s upcoming software version that will likely ship with the Galaxy S26 series. And from what’s seen so far, it looks like more than just visual polish.
The codebase includes revamped battery management tools, power optimization modules, and thermal regulation systems. These all point to Samsung preparing for higher power usage which makes sense when you’re dealing with a 60W charge system and next-gen silicon.
There’s also deeper integration with Galaxy AI, suggesting more on-device AI models, probably fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2’s improved NPU performance.
What This Means for the Launch Playbook
This firmware drop might have shifted the entire hype cycle timeline.
Samsung typically launches its S-series phones in February, but testing firmware this early suggests the company might be ahead of schedule this time. Industry watchers will be curious to see if that leads to an earlier reveal possibly even by CES 2025.
What’s still unknown:
-
Camera specs are missing from this leak
-
No clear confirmation on RAM/Storage configurations
-
Software-based camera improvements were not referenced
-
External design remains under wraps
Still, this leak gives fans a solid peek into what matters most faster speeds and more firepower.
