A myriad of differences exist between the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and its immediate predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, with one notable change being support for faster storage, specifically UFS 4.1. This upgrade could enhance the performance and efficiency of the Galaxy S26.
Samsung is expected to announce the Exynos 2600 later this year for the Galaxy S26, but it remains unclear if this chipset will support UFS 4.1 like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Samsung is rumored to be developing UFS 5.0 storage for future high-end smartphones, but UFS 4.1 is anticipated to be the first variation in the UFS 4.0 category.
The Korean giant typically sources its RAM chips from Micron. Micron announced its UFS 4.1 technology earlier this year, indicating a potential partnership for this component. UFS 4.1 introduces benefits such as reduced boot-up time and increased cache size with Dynamic Cache Adjustment, depending on workloads.
The UFS 4.1 upgrade for the Galaxy S26 is facilitated by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. However, there is no confirmation regarding the Exynos 2600’s support for UFS 4.1, although the Exynos 2500 allows for UFS 4.0 storage, raising hopes for the newer chipset.
Smartphone manufacturers often reduce costs to improve margins. The 128GB version of the Galaxy S25 ships with UFS 3.1 technology, requiring buyers seeking UFS 4.0 storage to purchase the 256GB variant.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s arrival in the Galaxy S26 family does not guarantee that all models will feature UFS 4.1 technology. Future updates will provide more clarity.
