Samsung’s S lineup is always one of the most followed releases each year, and the Samsung S26 series is already getting plenty of attention even before launch. Early leaks suggest Samsung is planning a mix of familiar design choices, smarter AI features, better charging, and a split-chip strategy that could once again divide regions. Nothing is confirmed yet, but there’s already enough information to paint a clear picture of what Samsung might be preparing for 2026.

Below is a full breakdown of everything we know so far.

What we know so far

The Samsung S26 series lineup is expected to follow Samsung’s usual trio: the Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26 Plus, and the base S26. Some whispers mention a possible S26 Edge, but nothing solid yet.

Several leaks suggest Samsung is testing battery improvements, including a bump to 4,300mAh for the standard S26. Wireless charging may jump to 20W, plus the long-awaited Qi2 standard could finally arrive. The S26 and S26 Plus may also get a refreshed design, with renders showing a new camera island instead of the floating-lens look Samsung has used for years.

Under the hood, Samsung is preparing to return to a split-chip approach. Some regions may get the Exynos 2600, while others may get Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

Camera upgrades seem modest this time. The biggest change could be a new telephoto sensor for better detail and cleaner low-light shots. Outside that, early reports say not to expect big jumps.

What Samsung seems focused on most is AI. With every brand pushing generative AI, Samsung is preparing its own take, and some reports even hint at a possible partnership with Perplexity AI. None of this is confirmed, but it’s clear the S26 series is expected to lean into AI more than ever.

Galaxy S26 release date

Samsung is consistent with its schedule, and the S26 lineup is expected in early 2026. Going by the timing of previous launches, mid-January or early February is most likely. Samsung’s last several Galaxy S events all took place on Wednesdays, so that trend may continue.

Galaxy S26 price

Pricing remains unclear. Early chatter suggests a possible increase due to rising component costs. Other sources say Samsung has cut back on some planned design changes to keep prices close to last year. If prices go up, it may be by about $50 to $100.

Using current leaks, these are the expected starting prices:

Galaxy S26 series:

S26: $799–$899

S26 Plus: $999–$1,099

S26 Ultra: $1,199–$1,299

Galaxy S26 camera

Leaks say the base and Plus models may not get major upgrades this year. One rumor mentions the telephoto may jump from 10MP to 12MP, which is small but improves clarity in zoomed photos. The front camera may stay at 12MP.

The Ultra model may get more noticeable changes, but details are still vague.

Samsung took the software-first approach with the S25 series, and the same may happen here. We may see better HDR, cleaner night photos, and improved editing tools powered by AI.

Galaxy S26 storage

Storage options may stay the same. The S26 could keep the 128GB base model, though some say Samsung might drop it and go 256GB like Apple did with the iPhone 17.

Possible S26 storage:

128GB, 256GB and 512GB

Possible S26 Plus storage:

256GB, 512GB and Maybe 1TB

Galaxy S26 design

The S26 and S26 Plus are expected to get a small but noticeable redesign. Renders show a new camera island replacing Samsung’s usual floating-lens style. The change is simple but could help reduce dust build-up around the lenses.

Earlier leaks mentioned Samsung was planning a very slim design, possibly with a new camera module. Recent reports say that may no longer be happening. Even without a major redesign, the S26 should still look polished and premium. Color options haven’t leaked yet for the main models, though the Ultra may come in silver, gold, orange, or gray.

Galaxy S26 display

Samsung’s screens are always one of their strongest selling points, and the S26 series should keep that momentum.

Leaks point to a 6.1-inch AMOLED on the S26, and roughly 6.7 inches for a possible S26 Edge. A smooth 120Hz refresh rate is expected on all models. Anti-reflective coating from the S25 Ultra may also appear on the S26 or S26 Plus.

There’s one interesting rumor about the Ultra getting a privacy-focused screen feature called Flex Magic Pixel. It may dim or blur the display from side angles. It’s unclear whether the smaller models will get this.

Galaxy S26 battery

Battery upgrades have been one of the biggest hopes for the S26 series, especially with competitors using silicon-carbon and stacked battery tech. Early reports suggested Samsung might do the same. Now, it seems less ambitious changes are coming.

The standard S26 may move from 4,000mAh to 4,300mAh. Wireless charging could rise to 20W. Faster wired charging may remain limited to the Plus and Ultra models. The Ultra is rumored to get the biggest upgrades, but exact details are still unclear.

Galaxy S26 hardware

Samsung may split chip variants again. Major markets like the US, China, Japan, and Korea are expected to get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Other regions may get Samsung’s Exynos 2600.

RAM variants may remain unchanged at 12GB, even though some competitors are now offering 16GB as a base. Qualcomm’s new X85 modem could support better 5G speeds while saving power. Overall performance should be strong across the lineup, especially for gaming and AI features.

Galaxy S26 software and features

The S26 series is expected to ship with One UI 8.5 based on Android 16. That would mean a clean software jump from the S25’s One UI 7. Samsung is also rumored to be planning deeper AI integration across productivity, photography, messaging, and search.

A possible partnership with Perplexity AI has been mentioned, though there’s no confirmation yet.

Should you wait for the Galaxy S26?

You should wait if your phone is due for an upgrade and you want something new in early 2026. The S26 series will have better wireless charging, improved design, and stronger AI tools.

You shouldn’t wait if you just bought the S25. Based on current leaks, the changes aren’t dramatic enough to justify switching after one year. Want to know more about the S25?