Samsung Galaxy S26: Rumors, Release Date, Price & Specs
- Samsung is poised to unveil its next generation of flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra, with a launch event expected on February 25, 2026.
- Traditionally, Samsung has unveiled its Galaxy S series in January.
- Some reports suggest potential price increases due to rising RAM costs, with one claim indicating a possible €200 increase in Sweden compared to last year’s models.
Samsung is poised to unveil its next generation of flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra, with a launch event expected on . While Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed details, a wealth of rumors and leaks are painting a picture of what to expect from the new devices.
Release Date and Pricing
Traditionally, Samsung has unveiled its Galaxy S series in January. However, the S26 series is anticipated to arrive later than usual. Multiple leaks, including reports from South Korean outlets, point to a unveiling. This delay is reportedly linked to Samsung’s decision to discontinue the Edge model and focus on the Plus variant. Shipping of the S26 series is expected to begin on .
Pricing remains somewhat uncertain. Some reports suggest potential price increases due to rising RAM costs, with one claim indicating a possible €200 increase in Sweden compared to last year’s models. However, other sources suggest the S26 and S26 Plus will maintain similar pricing to their predecessors in key markets like the UK, US, and EU, despite an expected increase in base storage from 128GB to 256GB.
Design and Display
The design of the Galaxy S26 is expected to be largely familiar, resembling the Galaxy S25. The S26 is rumored to be slightly larger than the S25, measuring 149.5 x 71.6 x 7.24mm compared to the S25’s 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2mm. We see expected to retain the flat display and rounded corners of its predecessor. Leaked renders support this expectation, showcasing a design very similar to the S25.
The Galaxy S26 is anticipated to feature a 6.27-inch display, likely utilizing a similar AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate as the S25. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to include a “Privacy Display” feature, which dims the screen when viewed from certain angles, enhancing privacy.
Camera Setup
Contrary to expectations of significant camera upgrades, reports suggest the Galaxy S26 will likely reuse the same camera setup as the Galaxy S25. This includes a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens. This decision is reportedly tied to Samsung’s strategy to align pricing with Apple’s iPhone 17, potentially foregoing camera improvements to maintain a competitive price point.
Performance and Software
The chipset powering the Galaxy S26 series is a key point of discussion. While the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to utilize a custom version of Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, the standard S26 and S26 Plus are rumored to be powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 chipset. Samsung highlights the Exynos 2600’s improved AI performance, enhanced gaming capabilities, and more efficient heat management.
However, leaked specifications suggest the Exynos 2600’s peak CPU speed of 3.9GHz may be lower than the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s 4.6GHz, potentially resulting in performance differences. The entire Galaxy S26 series is expected to ship with One UI 8.5 based on Android 16, offering enhancements to features like Quick Share and a customizable Quick Panel.