Samsung often unveils its flagship Galaxy S sequence smartphones in January or February, however the rumor mill for the Galaxy S26 sequence is already abuzz with leaks and hypothesis.
Under, we’ll look at all of the notable rumors we’ve heard to this point, overlaying design, AI options, efficiency, cameras, and extra. Since these are early leaks, take them with a grain of salt and anticipate particulars to vary over time.
Galaxy S26 Lineup: The Edge Is In Hassle
Samsung presently affords 5 telephones with the S25 tag: the common S25, the S25 Plus, the S25 Extremely, the slimmer S25 Edge, and the extra reasonably priced S25 FE. Should you thought 5 telephones had been a bit too many for one lineup, rumor has it that Samsung thinks the identical manner.
A number of months in the past, a number of stories prompt that Samsung, like Apple, was planning to discontinue the Plus variant as a result of its poor gross sales file and restrict the subsequent Unpacked occasion to the bottom, Extremely, and Edge fashions.
Nevertheless, for that to occur, the S25 Edge would wish to carry out higher than the S25 Plus. Korean outlet Elec reported earlier this month that the Edge might not surpass the Plus in gross sales, and consequently, Samsung not too long ago resumed work on the Plus variant. This week, a report by NewsPim backed that declare, stating that Samsung has cancelled the S26 Edge and halted the manufacturing of the S25 Edge. An organization official, on situation of anonymity, additionally advised NewsPim that the ultra-slim mannequin might by no means return.
The opposite large information is that the bottom variant might get rebranded because the S26 Professional. Most leakers are already referring to the bottom variant by its new unconfirmed title.
Galaxy S26 Design: Imitating Apple?
Apple launched new, rectangular digicam bumps on the iPhone 17 final month, and renders of the Galaxy S26 lineup recommend Samsung’s shifting in the identical route.
In accordance with a number of leakers, the S26 Professional (base) could have a vertical bump with three cameras; the S26 Edge, if it is launched, could have an enormous, end-to-end horizontal bump like on the iPhone 17 Professional Max and include two cameras; and the S26 Extremely could have three cameras within the vertical bump, and one to its proper. Samsung may additionally undertake Apple’s cosmic orange shade for the S26 Extremely.
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One other rumored design change focuses on the S Pen stylus. The S25 Extremely is the one Galaxy S mannequin that features and helps the S Pen; nevertheless, it dropped help for Bluetooth and Air Actions. It is also not absolutely suitable with the Qi2 wi-fi charging normal as a result of some magnetic equipment can intervene with the S Pen digitizer, in line with SamMobile. As an alternative, it is “Qi2 prepared,” that means it is suitable with magnetized instances that work with Qi2 chargers. So, Samsung is reportedly revamping its styus tech to permit for Qi2 equipment past instances.
With regards to display measurement, rumors level to a barely bigger show for the S26 Professional, going from 6.2 inches to six.27 inches, whereas the opposite telephones are anticipated to retain their display ratios.
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Galaxy S26 Professional (base): 6.27 inches
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Galaxy S26 Plus: 6.7 inches
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Galaxy S26 Extremely: 6.9 inches
Galaxy S26: Software program and AI
Google’s Gemini AI presently options prominently on Galaxy gadgets, however Samsung is reportedly in talks to combine Perplexity into Galaxy S26 telephones. In accordance with sources talking to Bloomberg, Samsung desires to preload Perplexity on its telephones and likewise combine the corporate’s search performance instantly into its Web Browser. (Motorola added Perplexity to its new Motorola Razr sequence in April.)
With regards to software program, the Galaxy S26 sequence will include One UI 8 and Android 16 out of the field, that are already out there on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Z Flip 7.
Galaxy S26: Efficiency
(Credit score: Qualcomm)
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, introduced final month, is predicted to look within the Samsung Galaxy S26 sequence. In accordance with Qualcomm’s assessments, the chip is 20% sooner and 35% extra energy environment friendly than its predecessor, which was already fairly highly effective. In our assessments, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 4 chip for Galaxy S25 Extremely topped opponents like iPhone 16 Professional Max and Google Pixel 9 Professional XL in single-core and multi-core efficiency. As common, in sure markets, Samsung might proceed to load the S26 with Exynos chips.
Galaxy S26 Cameras
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely (Credit score: Iyaz Akthar/PCMag)
Some Samsung followers have expressed frustration with the S sequence cameras these days, and it does not seem that the S26 shall be a major improve on that entrance. Anticipate the bottom Galaxy S26 to maintain its 50MP essential digicam. As for the S26 Extremely, Android Headlines stories it is anticipated to retain the 200MP main digicam however with a bigger f/1.4 aperture. There’s an unlikely rumor a few 324MP essential digicam.
Advisable by Our Editors
That mentioned, these telephones won’t want a lot of a bump. As PCMag’s digicam analyst Jim Fisher famous in our S25 Extremely evaluate, “Actually, what the heck are folks utilizing cellphone cameras for [that would require] going past 50MP virtually? Heck, I’d argue that 12MP is the proper setting for the overwhelming majority.”
Galaxy S26: Battery and Charging
As talked about earlier than, Samsung’s reportedly planning to supply true Qi2 charging on the S26 sequence. To this point, the flagship lineup hasn’t had magnets on the again, like iPhones do, so that they have not been in a position to make full use of the wi-fi charging normal.
Nevertheless, a picture of the dummies shared by leaker Sonny Dickson signifies Samsung’s lastly making room for magnetic rings on the again. If the corporate adopts the newer Qi2.2 normal, we might even see a serious increase in wi-fi charging speeds, from the present restrict of 15W to 25W.
As for wired charging speeds, leaker Ice Universe stories an improve for the S26 Extremely. It could go from 45W on the S25 Extremely to as much as 60W on the upcoming machine. PandFlashPro stories an analogous bump in battery capability as nicely, from 5,000 mAh to five,400 mAh.
As for wired charging, leaker Ice Universe stories the S26 Extremely might rise up to 60W speeds, a giant leap from 45W on the S25 Extremely. PandFlashPro provides that the battery may additionally see a slight increase, from 5,000 mAh to five,400 mAh.
Galaxy S26: Pricing and Launch
Samsung is predicted to stay to its common late-January to early-February window for the S26 sequence. Since we’re too removed from that window, nothing a lot has been reported concerning the pricing. Nevertheless, we’ll maintain updating this house when noteworthy rumors trickle in.
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Jibin is a tech information author based mostly out of Ahmedabad, India. Beforehand, he served because the editor of iGeeksBlog and is a self-proclaimed tech fanatic who loves breaking down complicated info for a broader viewers.
