Samsung usually unveils its new flagship smartphones in January or February. With 2026 just around the corner, rumours are circulating about the Samsung Galaxy S26. While you can count on Samsung to continue enhancing important features like the chipset, battery and AI capabilities with each new smartphone model, there’s a lot about this new line-up that’s still up in the air. What will we find out about the specs, size, variants, cameras and more on the Samsung Galaxy S26 release date?
We know that Samsung tends to stick to the same schedule every year. During Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, the brand showcases new mobile devices, including foldables, tablets and its latest smartphone models. While we don’t have a guaranteed Samsung Galaxy S26 release date locked in yet, Samsung’s smartphones usually get a wider release around two weeks after the event.
In the meantime, some credible leakers and analysts have given us an idea of what to (potentially) expect from this new flagship line. Here’s what we know so far about the Samsung Galaxy S26, what we can conclude, and how it looks set to stack up against the other currently popular models.
Rumoured Samsung Galaxy S26 Upgrades
There’s a lot that Samsung fans are eager to find out about the Galaxy S26 range and its specs. The current rumours are based on credible leaks and sources, but the details are still subject to change. The Ultra is the most powerful performer in Samsung’s annual flagship lineup, and many Android lovers are eager to learn about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera leaks and other features.
Information is scarce, but here’s what the media and others with insider knowledge have been saying so far about the Samsung Galaxy S26:
Line-up
Samsung currently offers five Galaxy S25 models: the regular S25, S25 Plus, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge and budget-friendly S25 FE. When it comes to the S26, Samsung will likely dial that number back to three: Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra. Initially, the new line-up was slated to include an S26 Edge, but a report from Korean outlet NewsPim has claimed Samsung has cancelled the S26 Edge and any further production of the S25 Edge due to poor sales. For now, it looks like we’re getting Samsung’s usual standard, Plus and Ultra models in the new year.
Chipset
A recent report from Korea Economic Daily indicates that the Samsung Galaxy S26 will be powered by the in-house Exynos 2600 chipset. There’s speculation that this chipset, made in-house by Samsung Foundry, is up to 30% faster than Qualcomm’s flagship chipset.
Specs and design
Well-known leaker IceUniverse believes the Galaxy S26 Ultra will look quite similar to its predecessor and won’t shake up the design elements too much. Ice’s leaks speculate that the Galaxy S26 will have 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and 2,600 nits brightness.
Cameras
The first major rumour to swirl around the Samsung Galaxy S26 is that it will retain the 50MP main camera of its predecessor, but with a brand-new sensor to capture more light. The base S26 is rumoured to have a vertical bump with three cameras, while Samsung Galaxy Ultra S26 leaks point to three cameras in the smartphone’s vertical bump and one to its right. Some rumours also hint at a 200MP zooming camera with 5X magnification for the Ultra.
Battery life
Everybody values long battery life, and Samsung users are eager to know how long the S26 will last.
While there’s no consensus among the current rumours about what to expect from the batteries, there have been suggestions of silicon-carbon battery chemistry, which would mean higher battery capacity without taking up more space. There have also been reports that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s battery could increase to 6,000-7,000 mAh.
While we will have to wait for the Samsung Galaxy S26 release date to see exactly what this flagship has in store, the results definitely sound promising for Samsung users and other Android fans.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Compared to the iPhone 17
Leaker Ice Universe published a chart comparing how the Samsung Galaxy S26 stacks up against the iPhone 17. The Galaxy S26 is set to be slimmer and lighter than the iPhone, weighing 164 grams compared to the iPhone’s 177. The trend remains consistent upwards through the line-up, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra weighing about 214 grams compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 231 grams.
Although undoubtedly lighter and more portable, the danger is that the sleek design of the Samsung Galaxy S26 range may come at the expense of batteries or camera sensors, which tend to take up more physical space. Users like light designs and portability, but not at the expense of factors that can make or break their buying decisions.
In other respects, both phones will aim to deliver similar benefits to users, such as high performance, long battery life, and cutting-edge camera systems.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Compared to the Google Pixel 10
For those who prefer quality Android smartphones, the two main contenders are Samsung and Google. The Google Pixel 10’s benefits obviously include the fact that it’s available now for a reasonable price, while the price of the Galaxy S26 is still up in the air.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 looks set to have a similar camera setup to the Google Pixel 10, so a lot depends on the kind of camera system you want. For example, which do you prefer, the Samsung traffic light design or the Google space bar?
In terms of performance, the Galaxy S26 looks positioned to emerge as the clear winner, with its high-grade Qualcomm chips beating out Google’s (still impressive) Tensor range.
The Google Pixel 10 is available in 128GB or 256GB versions, but rumours suggest Samsung will ditch 128GB models and exclusively offer 256GB or 512GB handsets. For those who value their storage highly, this is another point in Samsung’s favour.
Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy S26 release date will reveal all. Whatever results it brings, surprising or not-so-surprising, it’s an exciting time for Android fans.
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