The Rumors about the Samsung Galaxy S26 and, above all, the Galaxy S26 Ultra They've been heating up the tech scene for months. Although Samsung hasn't officially announced anything yet, leaks coming from Korea, trusted leakers, and specialized media outlets give a pretty clear idea of where the next big Galaxy family is headed, as all the leaks and key changes point out.
It should be borne in mind that Everything you are about to read is based on unofficial information.Leaked spec sheets, renders, prototypes, strategy changes with the Edge and Plus models, details of the Exynos 2600, and even previews of One UI 8.5 and Galaxy AI. Even so, many of these pieces fit together and paint a very credible picture of what awaits us with the Galaxy S26.
Samsung Galaxy S26 series models and the naming conundrum
For months, various reports indicated that Samsung was going to shake things up with its high-end range and that The Galaxy S26 family would completely change its structureIt was even assumed that the Plus model would disappear, that the basic one would be renamed Pro, and that the intermediate slot would be filled by an ultra-thin Galaxy S26 Edge, according to reports on S26 Pro and Edge.
The most recent leaks, however, claim that Samsung reportedly put the brakes on that experiment.The rumored Galaxy S26 Pro has faded, the Edge remains uncertain, and all signs point to a return to the classic trio: Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. Several insiders are openly stating that the S26 Edge project has been canceled or, at the very least, postponed.
Even so, some reports leave the door ajar to the possibility that The ultra-thin Edge concept will return later in 2026.Separated from the main launch, just like what happened with the Galaxy S25 Edge, which arrived months after the rest of the family. The general feeling is that Samsung continues to explore this line of ultra-thin phones, but that public interest and sales of the S25 Edge haven't quite lived up to expectations, something that the leaks about the S26 Edge Ultra Slim.
Design: Goodbye to the "floating" module and changes to the Ultra
One of the clearest changes that is repeated in almost all the leaks is that The rear camera module will be different from the S25 series.The style of individually "floating" lenses would be replaced by an island arrangement, both in the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ and, with some variations, in the S26 Ultra, according to leaks about its night vision camera.
In the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+, the camera system would be housed in an oval or rectangular module with very rounded corners, located in the upper left corner of the back. Within that island are grouped the three main lenses, breaking with the minimalist look of separate sensors that Samsung had stretched out for several generations.
In the case of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, leaks indicate that Three of the four rear sensors would be included in an islandThe fourth module and the flash would remain slightly separated. It's also rumored that the camera block will be significantly thicker, almost twice as thick, which aligns with brighter glass, larger lenses, and an internal redesign to optimize space.
Another important change for Ultra would be the disappearance of the iconic square cornersThe leaked screen protectors and renders show a body with more rounded edges, bringing its silhouette closer to that of the S26 and S26+. This redesign reportedly necessitated adjusting the shape of the S Pen to fit into a slightly less angular chassis.
In terms of materials, the approach would be a continuation of the previous one: Aluminum and glass for Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+and a combination of metal and glass with a titanium frame for the S26 Ultra. However, there are rumors suggesting that Samsung might consider abandoning titanium in future generations, following a strategy similar to the one Apple has reportedly adopted with its most recent iPhones.
Screens and the potential privacy revolution in the Ultra
Regarding screens, everything points to Samsung repeating the sizes, but raising the bar in technologies and optimizations. The Galaxy S26 is rumored to have a 6,2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. with a resolution of around 2.304 x 1.080 pixels and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S26+ would have a 6,7-inch screen with QHD or similar resolution and also a 120 Hz refresh rate, in both cases with completely flat screens and very thin bezels.
Regarding the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, it would remain the king of the panel, with a Dynamic AMOLED M14 COE display of approximately 6,9 inches and QHD+ resolutionThe use of Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology, already seen in the brand's foldable laptops, would allow for a thinner design, greater brightness, and even deeper blacks, while also reducing power consumption; you can find out more about these. technological innovations and changes.
The big leaked news for the Ultra would be the technology Flex Magic Pixel, a kind of built-in privacy mode directly on the OLED panel. This feature, supported by artificial intelligence, would narrow the viewing angle so that the content is only properly visible from the front, making it difficult for someone next to you to read what's on the screen. Samsung would compensate for the loss of brightness inherent in this type of solution with its own CoE system and advancements in peak brightness.
This is expected in all models IP68 protection against water and dust, higher maximum brightness than the S25 generation and extremely symmetrical bezels, a detail that Samsung has been refining year after year in its high-end range.
Processors: Exynos 2600 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
The eternal battle between Exynos and Snapdragon will return with full force this generation. Several sources agree that Samsung will repeat the dual-processor strategy Depending on the market, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ will reportedly use the Exynos 2600 in Europe, South Korea, and other territories, while countries like the United States and China will opt for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Qualcomm confirmations.
The Exynos 2600 is one of the main protagonists of the rumors because It would be the first mobile SoC manufactured using a 2-nanometer process by Samsung FoundryThis would bring significant improvements in energy efficiency, sustained performance, and, above all, in the NPU dedicated to artificial intelligence tasks. Furthermore, there is talk of a complete redesign of the ISP (image signal processor), with support for simultaneous capture from up to four cameras, five-frame HDR, 14-bit RAW, and 8K video recording at 60 fps with HDR10+.
Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 would be the option chosen for the Galaxy S26 Ultra in all marketswith no Exynos variants. This Qualcomm chip, very expensive to manufacture (costs of around $280 per unit are being discussed), would provide maximum CPU and GPU power, in addition to a next-generation NPU that fits with the AI focus Samsung wants for its flagship.
Some of the rumors even mention a Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for certain markets or future revisionswith a special emphasis on local AI. What does seem clear is that the Ultra will have faster memory than the rest of the range, which will benefit both overall performance and advanced photo and video processing.
Cameras: a mix of continuity and key changes
The camera department is where there's the most noise and contradictions, but several constants can already be identified. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra would maintain a 200 MP main sensor very close to the ISOCELL HP2 current, but with a difference that could be decisive: the aperture would go from f/1.7 to a value around f/1.4.
That jump would imply that the Ultra's main sensor It could capture much more light in nighttime or indoor scenesThis reduces the need for heavy processing and improves dynamic range. Furthermore, a wider aperture contributes to more natural bokeh in portrait and close-up shots, with smoother blur transitions.
The rear of the S26 Ultra would complete the cameras with a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 12MP 3x telephoto lens, and a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lens.Many reports suggest that the 5x lens would be virtually the same as the one seen in the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra, while the 3x lens would slightly improve in resolution compared to previous generations.
For the Galaxy S26 and S26+, the approach would be somewhat more modest, but equally effective: next-generation 50MP main sensor12MP ultra-wide-angle lens and 10MP 3x telephoto lens. In all cases, we're talking about 12MP front cameras, with processing improvements and advanced features supported by AI rather than a radical hardware change.
Although many sensors would be the same as in the S25 series, the key would be in the The new ISP of the Exynos 2600, the power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and the AI models of Galaxy AI 2.0A major leap forward in computational photography is expected, from better exposure in challenging situations to faster and less aggressive night modes, and cleaner hybrid zooms.
Battery and fast charging: finally more watts in Samsung's high-end range
Another area where the rumors coincide is the improved battery capacity and charging wattsThe base model Galaxy S26 would increase from the 4.000 mAh of the previous generation to approximately 4.300 mAh, bringing it closer to what is already seen in some direct rivals.
The Galaxy S26+ would also feature batteries around 4.300 mAh or slightly moreMaintaining a very slim profile: it's estimated to be around 7,35 mm thick, with dimensions very similar to the S25+. Interestingly, despite this thinness, Samsung has managed to better accommodate the battery thanks to an internal redesign implemented since the S25 Edge.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks are quite varied. On one hand, there are listings that maintain the Classic 5.000 mAh batteries with efficiency improvementsOther, more recent reports point to an increase to 5.400 mAh. There has even been speculation about 6.000 mAh or higher batteries based on silicon-carbon technologies, although such high values seem less likely for this particular cycle.
What is repeated time and time again is that Samsung would definitively abandon the 45W limit on wired chargingThe S26 and S26+ are rumored to have up to 60W, while some sources attribute a jump to 60 or even 65W to the Ultra; this is reflected in the leaks about the leap in charging speed and batteryWireless charging would also improve, with figures around 25W for the most advanced models.
Memory, storage, and construction
In terms of RAM, the Galaxy S26 series would follow the trend of recent years. The Galaxy S26 and S26+ would offer 12 GB of RAM as standard, while the Ultra would also start from 12 GB to reach 16 GB configurations in its most complete variants.
In internal storage, various listings and leaks coincide in Capacities of 256 GB, 512 GB and up to 1 TB for the S26 UltraIn the S26 and S26+, the likely minimum would be 256 GB, although there are still those who are betting on a basic 128 GB version in the standard model, which Samsung could maintain for price reasons, despite rumors that it wants to eliminate it.
All models would include Glass finishes and aluminum frames in S26 and S26+reserving titanium for the chassis of the S26 Ultra. Weight and thickness would remain relatively low compared to what is typically seen in the high-end range, with the S26+ measuring around 158,4 x 75,4 x 7,35 mm and the Ultra being somewhat bulkier due to its nearly 6,9-inch screen and the enormous camera module.
Software, One UI 8.x, the role of AI
In terms of software, there are clear differences between leaks. Some sources claim that The Galaxy S26 will come with Android 16 and One UI 8.0While some sources mention Android 17 and One UI 8.5, especially for the S26 Ultra, the most likely scenario is a version of One UI 8.x with a strong emphasis on AI features and an incremental redesign of the interface.
Samsung already made it clear with the S25 family that Galaxy AI is one of the pillars of their strategyThe S26 is expected to feature a second generation of these capabilities, Galaxy AI 2.0, which would improve personalization, context, and system integration. New features include more accurate text summaries, intelligent message rewriting, real-time action suggestions, and more natural translations.
Some of the more aggressive marketing leaks have even mentioned a new Perplexity-type assistant integrated into the systemWith a more conversational approach than Google Gemini and deeply integrated with Samsung's browser and launcher, and coupled with much more powerful NPUs in the Exynos 2600 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a significant portion of these AI functions could run locally, improving speed and preserving privacy by reducing reliance on the cloud.
Leaked wallpapers and possible official colors
In terms of aesthetics, beyond the chassis design, other details have also been leaked These would be the official wallpapers of the Galaxy S26A user known for leaking One UI features has reportedly posted six square wallpapers on X, centered around the iconic "S" logo of the family, which are attributed to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
These wallpapers can now be downloaded and used on any mobile phone, although They require a slight adjustment of the framing to center the S when applied to screens with different aspect ratios. The interesting detail is that the colors of these wallpapers match another leak that mentions the color palette of the S26: Silver, Jet Black, Orange, and Bluegreen, in addition to special editions.
Samsung has historically not maintained an exact correspondence between the color of the wallpapers and the physical finish of the mobile phonesBut given the recent trend towards pastel shades and eye-catching finishes, it wouldn't be surprising if there were a more direct connection this time. The emphasis on a bright orange Galaxy S26 Ultra is particularly striking, a very recognizable marketing move reminiscent of other manufacturers' use of vibrant colors to stand out.
Submission date and possible delay
Another area where rumors abound is the release date. Traditionally, Samsung presents its Galaxy S in January and launches them on sale at the beginning of FebruaryThis was the case with S24 and S25, with Unpacked events around January 17-22.
For the Galaxy S26 series there are two currents: some reports indicate that Samsung will maintain the classic late January windowSome predict a commercial availability in early February; others point to a delay until February 25, 2026, with an event in San Francisco coinciding with the dates of the Mobile World Congress and arrival in stores in March.
The reasons for the alleged delay are associated with last-minute changes to the model lineup (Edge cancellation, Plus revival, etc.) and production adjustments linked to the 2nm Exynos 2600. For now, both dates fit with Samsung's usual workflow, so we'll have to wait for the brand to clarify the matter.
Estimated prices and cost strategy for the Samsung Galaxy S26
In the economic sphere, several analysts suggested price increases motivated by the increase in the cost of key componentsespecially the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. However, the fact that Samsung manufactures much of what it integrates into its mobile phones (memory, storage, screens, etc.) in-house gives it room to keep prices down.
The most reliable leaks agree that The prices of the Galaxy S26 would be very similar to those of the S25 at launch. That would translate to something like the following for Europe (indicative figures): a Galaxy S26 starting at around 909 euros in its base variant if it maintains 128 GB, or officially from 969 euros if there is only 256 GB; a Galaxy S26+ starting at around 1.159 euros; and a Galaxy S26 Ultra ranging between around 1.459 euros for 256 GB and more than 1.800 euros for the 1 TB version.
To offset the cost of the Snapdragon, especially in the Ultra, Samsung would play the card of Exynos 2600 in specific marketswhere complete control of the platform allows you to better balance margins and final prices.
Galaxy S26 vs. Galaxy S25: What's the real improvement?
If the leaked specifications materialize, the transition from Galaxy S25 to Galaxy S26 would be evolutionary rather than revolutionarybut with several points of improvement that will interest anyone who has a model from a couple of years ago or more.
In terms of pure performance, the new SoCs would offer More power in CPU, GPU and, above all, NPUThis is key to the AI experience. In addition, there would be slightly larger batteries, significantly faster wired charging (up to 60-65W), brighter screens, and, in the case of the Ultra, M14 COE technology and an advanced privacy mode.
In photography, the hardware changes in the Ultra wouldn't be dramatic in terms of pixel count, but the new f/1.4 aperture of the 200 MP sensorThe brighter lenses and revamped ISP promise better low-light performance and more consistent behavior across all cameras. The faster memory in the Ultra should also help with burst shooting, RAW capture, and high-resolution video.
On the software side, the evolution of Galaxy AI alongside One UI 8.x will reinforce the feeling of being on a "smarter" mobile phone, capable of better anticipating what the user needs, summarizing and rewriting content on the fly, and maintaining more AI functions locally without constantly relying on the cloud.
Everything that has been leaked about the Galaxy S26 paints a picture a generation that continues the previous trend but with very well-targeted adjustments in cameras, performance, battery, rear module design, AI power and, finally, in charging speed, an area where Samsung had been lagging behind its direct rivals for too long. Share this guide and more users will learn all about the Samsung Galaxy S26.