What we learn about Samsung Galaxy S26: Leaks, rumors, specs

Samsung normally launches its subsequent wave of flagship units over the winter, and all indicators level to an early 2026 launch for the Samsung Galaxy S26 — and the Galaxy Z TriFold. The Galaxy S25 was launched in early February, and the Galaxy S24 earlier than it got here in late January. Thus, it stands to motive that the Galaxy S26 will come across the identical time in 2026.

Whereas Samsung hasn’t introduced any upcoming Galaxy Unpacked occasions, we absolutely anticipate the brand new era of Samsung telephones to make their debut within the months forward. And if the quantity of S26 leaks is any indication, it is sooner fairly than later.

What’s going to the Galaxy S26 telephones seem like?

Not too long ago, leaker @onleaks posted a gallery and video on X that claims to indicate dummy models of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely. We will not confirm the authenticity of the video, nevertheless it appears believable, a minimum of.

General, it appears similar to the S25 Extremely, as anticipated, with one notable change — it has a digital camera bump just like the Galaxy Z Fold 7. As 9to5Google factors out, as a result of this bump is on the left facet of the cellphone, it is going to make the cellphone wobble when positioned down on a desk or desk. As compared, the most recent iPhone 17 Professional Max has a extra symmetrical form and thus no wobble.

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Nonetheless, we might be a bit skeptical of this leak. Android Police not too long ago posted its personal alleged S26 Extremely leaks, solely with out the digital camera bump.

What fashions will likely be included within the S26 lineup?

Just some months in the past, rumors and leaks pointed to a big shakeup within the Galaxy S26 line. It was mentioned that Samsung would rename the bottom mannequin to S26 Professional, drop the Plus mannequin that sat in the course of the annual lineup for years, and change that with a brand new Edge cellphone modeled after final 12 months’s S25 Edge (which was one thing of a flop). Nonetheless, that is apparently not occurring, and you may thank Apple for that, per Korean outlet NewsPim (by way of 9to5google).

As a consequence of Apple’s success in providing important year-over-year upgrades to the bottom iPhone 17 (reminiscent of a 120Hz show) with out elevating the value, Samsung has reportedly dropped the Professional branding for the bottom mannequin and reverted it again to simply the Galaxy S26, which was corroborated by a separate report from SamMobile. In keeping with that report, you’ll be able to anticipate a retread of the same old S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Extremely lineup in 2026. Which may be disappointing to anybody who was anticipating an enormous shakeup based mostly on earlier reporting, but when nothing else, it makes it simpler to maintain observe of what is going on on.

As for the beforehand rumored S26 Edge, it is unclear what is going on to occur with that. It may be useless, or it would come out later within the 12 months as a separate launch just like the S25 Edge did. On condition that cellphone’s relative lack of success, it may be sensible to imagine there will not be an S26 Edge at this level.

Galaxy S26 rumored specs

For specs, the rumors aren’t notably stunning. The Galaxy S26 sequence is at present rumored to have the most recent Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip, which Qualcomm rebranded to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. There may be additionally a rumor that Samsung will equip some S26 fashions with an Exynos chip, which Samsung followers hope is the Exynos 2600, which has additionally been making some noise within the rumor mill currently.

By way of the small stuff, like storage and RAM, there have been some small rumblings. One rumor says that the Galaxy S26 (all fashions) will characteristic 16GB of RAM, a 4GB enhance from the previous couple of years, and probably the most a Galaxy cellphone has had for the reason that Galaxy S21 Extremely. By way of storage capability, there aren’t any rumors that something will change, so the 128GB base (256GB on the Extremely) is prone to stay in place for now, with upgraded storage accessible as an possibility. 

Galaxy S26: Is a worth hike coming?

We’re within the midst of a significant international reminiscence scarcity, and this could possibly be very dangerous information for smartphone and laptop computer consumers (you’ll be able to blame the AI business for hogging all of the RAM). And in accordance with leaker @kro_roe, this might not solely result in an S26 worth hike, but in addition the top of a well-liked launch provide.

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Sometimes, when Samsung launches a brand new cellphone, prospects who pre-order or buy at launch can declare double the storage at no additional value. However with RAM briefly provide, which will not be the case. The latest rumors recommend that Samsung hasn’t landed on a last worth for the S26 telephones, nevertheless.

TL;DR: Not solely may S26 telephones value extra, however you’ll have to pay a premium for extra storage as properly.

Battery and charging

Primarily based on early rumors, this can be probably the most fascinating adjustments coming to the S26 lineup. Samsung has been engaged on a stacked battery design that might enable for extra dense batteries in the identical bodily house. This might deliver a long-awaited bump to battery measurement. In keeping with early rumors, the S26 Extremely is slated to come back with a 5,500 mAh stacked battery, a ten % enhance from the S25 Extremely. Samsung reportedly experimented with eradicating a digital camera so as to add much more battery capability, however that does not imply it is sure to occur within the mass-produced mannequin. Whereas the S26 Professional was rumored to have a much bigger 4,900mAh battery in comparison with earlier base mannequin Galaxy telephones, NewsPim’s report claimed that the bottom S26 (now that it is not a Professional machine) has been adjusted all the way down to a extra modest 4,300mAh cell.

For charging, it’s unlikely that the Galaxy S26 sequence will get a severe improve. Samsung is undoubtedly engaged on 60W wired charging, however to date, it appears that evidently Samsung will look ahead to the Galaxy S27 sequence (or later) to implement it. This might change as we get nearer to launch for the S26 sequence, however for now, it appears that evidently 45W will likely be round for a minimum of another 12 months. There are additionally rumors that wi-fi charging may even see a bump to the Qi2 normal

Galaxy S26: What in regards to the cameras?

The digital camera system within the Galaxy S26 sequence might change fairly a bit, and there are a couple of completely different rumors that say various things. Leaping proper in, one older rumor says that the S26 sequence could have the identical megapixel rely however will characteristic a brand new, as-of-yet unannounced sensor from the identical ISOCELL GN sequence as prior Samsung fashions. On the Galaxy S26 Extremely, a 200MP digital camera is rumored, as is a 324MP lens with a 50MP, 3x telephoto lens. It’s extra possible that Samsung will do the 200MP with a brand new sensor, however all leaks are being thought-about proper now. 

S25 Extremely with its 5 cameras.
Credit score: James Martin / Mashable

As well as, there are rumors that Samsung will deliver again its variable aperture on the primary shooter, which Samsung hasn’t included on its digital camera system for the reason that Galaxy S10 sequence again in 2019. As beforehand talked about, Samsung could also be contemplating dropping the variety of cameras to a few as a substitute of 4, like on prior fashions, to create space for a bigger battery. Different rumors in regards to the digital camera embrace a twin periscope design that’ll amplify to 8x, however that’s simply hypothesis at the moment.

Nonetheless, many of those rumors come from the time after we thought Samsung was considerably altering the S26 lineup. Newer experiences point out that, a minimum of for the bottom S26 and S26 Plus, issues will not change that a lot from earlier years. In keeping with Korean outlet The Elec, these two telephones could have the very same megapixel rely on the triple-lens rear array as earlier Galaxy fashions: a 50MP huge lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. These have been the specs going all the best way again to the Galaxy S22. In the event you have been hoping for large adjustments within the cheaper S26 fashions this 12 months, you have got our condolences.

Different options and {hardware}

A lot of the remainder of the Galaxy S26 lineup is predictable. It’ll include the most recent One UI out of the gate with the most recent model of Android. That’s no shock, and we don’t want rumors to foretell that one. The S26 sequence will possible get One UI 8.5, which is slated for a fairly giant redesign together with a number of latest options, together with the aforementioned privateness display screen characteristic. In keeping with rumor, the redesign emulates Apple’s Liquid Glass in some methods with clear UI parts. 

The one different piece of {hardware} we haven’t talked about is the S-Pen. Samsung seems to be set to do one thing huge with the S-Pen. The rumors speculate that the S-Pen is sticking round and can include some upgrades. The brand new performance might have one thing to do with how magnetic equipment work, and this appears to be linked to the aforementioned Qi2 wi-fi charging improve. 

We’ll learn how a lot (if any) of that is true in only a matter of weeks, going by earlier Samsung announcement timelines.