Casual users might not care about benchmark scores, but performance records certainly help separate top-tier handsets from those that are just good enough. The Galaxy S26 Ultra remains one of the snappiest phones on the market, even beating out the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max in a key performance metric. The Galaxy S27 Ultra is reportedly doubling down with a 35% speed boost.
Significant performance leap
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro's benchmark performance. | Image by Digital Chat Station
Samsung's highest-end Galaxy S flagships always pack Qualcomm's best silicon, so it's a safe bet the rumored S27 Ultra will run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, which is codenamed SM8975.
Famous leaker Digital Chat Station recently spotted the chip on the benchmarking platform AnTuTu. It scored 4,835,412 points, a 21% jump over the current record holder, the Red Magic 11 Pro, which is underpinned by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The Galaxy S26 Ultra sits in sixth place with a score of 3,437,807.
On the GPU test, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro's new A850 GPU racked up 1,854,826 points, crushing the previous high of 1,484,937.
How important are benchmarks for you?
A pricey chip
Qualcomm is expected to split its flagship lineup into two tiers this year. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro will be a high-end chipset based on the cutting-edge 2nm process.
The current 8 Elite Gen 5 features two Prime cores running at 4.6GHz and six Performance cores clocked at 3.62GHz. The 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro is expected to use a 2+3+3 Oryon core layout running at higher clock speeds for beefier performance.
A strange year for flagships
Smartphone makers have been forced into odd compromises this year due to skyrocketing component prices. Google, for instance, dialed back the RAM on a few Pixel 11 models.
Even if the Galaxy S27 Ultra makes do with the 8 Elite Gen 6, the Pro version will undoubtedly show up in other flagship Android handsets. With most phones now getting longer support, a fast chip will ensure your phone stays smooth for years to come.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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