Samsung Galaxy S26: Rumors & Specs – What to Expect

Samsung Galaxy S26: What to Expect From the Next Flagship Phone

Samsung is widely expected to unveil its next generation of flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S26 series, in early 2026. Building on the February 2024 release of the Galaxy S24 and the early February launch of the Galaxy S25, industry observers anticipate a similar timeframe for the S26, despite Samsung’s silence regarding upcoming “Galaxy Unpacked” events. The sheer volume of leaks surrounding the S26 suggests an announcement is coming sooner rather than later.

A Familiar Design with a Potential Wobble?

Recent leaks offer a glimpse into the potential design of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Leaker @onleaks shared images and a video showcasing alleged dummy units of the device. While the overall aesthetic appears largely consistent with the S25 Ultra, one notable change has emerged: a camera bump reminiscent of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. According to 9to5Google, this placement on the left side of the phone could introduce a wobble when placed on flat surfaces, a contrast to the more balanced design of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

However, skepticism remains. Android Police has published its own S26 Ultra leaks without the prominent camera bump, suggesting conflicting information is circulating.

Shifting Lineup Strategy—and a Change of Heart?

Rumors initially pointed to a significant overhaul of the Galaxy S26 lineup, with speculation that Samsung would rename the base model to “S26 Pro,” eliminate the “Plus” model, and introduce a new “Edge” phone. However, these plans appear to have been abandoned, reportedly due to Apple’s success with consistent upgrades to its base iPhone models without substantial price increases.

A report from Korean outlet NewsPim, corroborated by SamMobile, indicates Samsung will revert to the traditional S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra naming scheme. The previously rumored S26 Edge remains uncertain, potentially being discontinued altogether given the lackluster performance of last year’s S25 Edge.

Under the Hood: Specs and Performance

The Galaxy S26 series is currently rumored to feature the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip – rebranded from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 by Qualcomm. Samsung is also expected to equip some S26 models with its own Exynos chip, with fans hoping for the advanced Exynos 2600.

In terms of memory, leaks suggest all S26 models will boast 16GB of RAM, a 4GB increase from previous generations. Storage capacity is not expected to change significantly, with a base of 128GB (256GB for the Ultra) and options for upgrades.

Will Prices Rise? The RAM Shortage Factor

A global memory shortage, fueled by demand from the AI industry, could lead to a price increase for the Galaxy S26 series. Leaker @kro_roe suggests this shortage may also end Samsung’s popular launch offer of doubling storage at no extra cost. While a final price hasn’t been determined, consumers may face higher costs for both the devices themselves and increased storage options.

Battery and Charging Improvements on the Horizon

Early rumors indicate potential improvements in battery technology. Samsung is reportedly developing a stacked battery design to increase energy density within the same physical space. The S26 Ultra is rumored to feature a 5,500 mAh stacked battery, a 10% increase over the S25 Ultra. While Samsung experimented with removing a camera to further increase battery capacity, it remains to be seen if this will be implemented in the final product. The base S26 is expected to have a 4,300mAh cell, while the S26 Pro was initially rumored to have a 4,900mAh battery.

Significant upgrades to charging speeds are unlikely, with 45W wired charging expected to remain standard for at least another year. However, rumors suggest a potential shift to the Qi2 standard for wireless charging.

Camera Innovations: A Return to Variable Aperture?

The camera system in the Galaxy S26 series is also subject to speculation. One rumor suggests the series will maintain existing megapixel counts but incorporate a new, unannounced sensor from Samsung’s ISOCELL GN series. The S26 Ultra is rumored to feature a 200MP camera, potentially alongside a 324MP lens with a 50MP, 3x telephoto lens.

Samsung may also reintroduce its variable aperture technology, absent since the Galaxy S10 series in 2019. There’s also discussion of potentially reducing the number of cameras to three, freeing up space for a larger battery. However, newer reports indicate the base S26 and S26 Plus will likely retain the same triple-lens array as previous models: a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens.

Other Features and Hardware Expectations

The Galaxy S26 series will undoubtedly launch with the latest version of Android and Samsung’s One UI 8.5, which is slated for a significant redesign with transparent UI elements inspired by Apple’s Liquid Glass. Samsung also appears poised to make advancements with the S-Pen, potentially integrating new functionality linked to Qi2 wireless charging and magnetic accessories.

As the launch window approaches, more concrete details will emerge, but the current landscape of leaks and rumors paints a picture of a refined, powerful, and potentially more expensive next-generation Samsung flagship.