Samsung Galaxy S26: Leaks, Rumors, and Expected Specs

The tech world is already buzzing about the Samsung Galaxy S26, even though its anticipated launch is still over a year away. Following the established pattern of winter releases, we can reasonably expect the new flagship series to debut in early 2026, likely around January or February. While Samsung has yet to announce any official Galaxy Unpacked events, a steady stream of leaks and industry reports suggests the development cycle is in full swing, offering an early glimpse at what might be in store.

Recent leaks from sources like @onleaks have presented images and videos claiming to show dummy units of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The design appears largely similar to its predecessor, but with one potentially controversial change: a relocated camera bump on the left side, reminiscent of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. This asymmetrical placement could cause the phone to wobble when laid flat. However, skepticism remains, as other outlets like Android Police have shared conflicting leaks showing a design without this prominent bump.

The composition of the S26 lineup itself has been a topic of considerable speculation. Earlier rumors suggested a major restructuring, with the base model becoming the S26 Pro, the Plus model being discontinued, and a new S26 Edge model taking its place. Recent reports, however, indicate those plans have been scrapped. Influenced by Apple’s strategy of offering substantial upgrades to its base iPhone models without price increases, Samsung has reportedly reverted to the familiar trio: the standard Galaxy S26, the S26 Plus, and the S26 Ultra. The fate of the rumored S26 Edge is now uncertain; it may be canceled or released later as a separate, niche device.

Under the hood, the S26 series is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation chipset, likely called the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. There is also chatter about some models, possibly in certain regions, receiving a new Exynos chip, potentially dubbed the Exynos 2600. A notable upgrade may come in the form of memory, with rumors pointing to 16GB of RAM becoming standard across all models, a significant jump from recent years. Base storage options are expected to remain at 128GB for the standard and Plus models and 256GB for the Ultra, with higher capacities available for an additional cost.

Pricing is a major concern due to a global memory shortage driven by high demand from the AI industry. Analyst @kro_roe suggests this could lead to a price increase for the S26 series and potentially end the popular launch promotion of receiving double the storage at no extra cost. While final pricing is not set, consumers should prepare for the possibility of paying more for both the device and additional storage.

Battery technology could see one of the more exciting advancements. Samsung is reportedly developing a stacked battery design, allowing for greater energy density within the same physical space. Early rumors suggest the S26 Ultra may house a substantial 5,500 mAh battery. For charging, don’t expect a massive leap forward; 45W wired charging is likely to remain, with a jump to 60W probably reserved for future models. Wireless charging, however, may see an upgrade to the newer Qi2 standard.

Camera specifications are a mixed bag of rumors. For the S26 Ultra, there is talk of a new 200MP main sensor and even a 324MP lens, alongside possibilities like a returning variable aperture or a dual periscope zoom system. However, newer reports from Korean sources like The Elec suggest the standard S26 and S26 Plus will stick with a very familiar triple-camera setup: a 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto lens, unchanged from several previous generations.

The phones will, of course, launch with the latest version of Android and Samsung’s One UI skin, expected to be One UI 8.5. This update is rumored to feature a significant visual redesign with transparent UI elements. Finally, the S-Pen for the Ultra model is speculated to receive new functionality, possibly related to magnetic accessories and enhanced integration with the device.

As with all pre-launch information, these details are based on rumors and leaks that are subject to change. The full and accurate picture will only come into focus as we move closer to Samsung’s official unveiling in 2026.

(Source: Mashable)