As rumors swirl about Samsung’s next flagship phones, some patterns are familiar while others are surprising. The chatter surrounding the Galaxy S26 series includes both long-standing predictions and notable deviations from past trends.
One persistent speculation was the possible end of the “Plus” model. Early reports suggested that Samsung might skip the S26+ entirely in 2026 and release only a Galaxy S26 Edge. Initially, there was little evidence to support this. However, later leaks indicated Samsung had reconsidered, confirming that the Plus model will, in fact, return alongside other variants.
Galaxy S26 Base Model
The standard Galaxy S26 will feature a 6.2-inch display powered by Samsung’s new Exynos 2600 processor, built on a 2-nanometer process with ten cores reaching up to 3.8 GHz. The base model will see the largest battery ever for a non-Plus Galaxy S phone, with a 4,300 mAh capacity. Charging is expected to support up to 25 watts, though higher speeds are still hoped for.
Camera upgrades are modest. The main camera will remain at 50 MP (f/1.8), with a 12 MP ultrawide and 12 MP front-facing camera (both f/2.2). The telephoto lens sees a small improvement with a 12 MP sensor supporting 3x optical zoom and an f/2.4 aperture.
Galaxy S26+
The S26+ will closely match the base model in specs but offers a larger 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a bigger battery, likely around 4,900 mAh.
Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Ultra model remains Samsung’s flagship. It will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, delivering a significant speed boost over the S25 Ultra. The 6.9-inch AMOLED screen returns, along with the S Pen, titanium frame, and an advanced camera setup. Highlights include a 200 MP main camera, a 50 MP ultrawide, and a 12 MP front-facing camera (f/1.9 and f/2.2). The telephoto system remains largely unchanged, featuring a 50 MP 5x optical zoom lens and a 3x optical zoom camera upgraded to 12 MP. The Ultra retains a 5,000 mAh battery, with potential support for 65-watt fast charging. All models continue to be IP68 water- and dust-resistant, and the Ultra may include an anti-reflective screen for better outdoor visibility.
Software
The Galaxy S26 series will launch with Android 16 and Samsung’s One UI 8.5, building on the Galaxy AI features introduced in earlier models. Samsung is expected to continue providing seven years of updates, with One UI 8.5 offering a smoother and more polished user experience. Additional software enhancements specific to the S26 series are also anticipated.
Uncertainties
While many technical specifications are known, some details remain unclear. It is still uncertain whether a super-thin Galaxy S26 Edge will be released. Development appears to be behind the other models, so if it does launch, it will likely come later in the year. Information on a potential S26 Fan Edition is currently unavailable.
Launch and Pricing
Due to late changes in development, the S26 series may be unveiled later than usual, possibly during Samsung’s Unpacked event in February or March, with a release near the end of Q1 2026. Prices are not confirmed, but rumors suggest the base Galaxy S26 could start around €899, the S26+ at approximately €1,149, and the S26 Ultra at a minimum of €1,449. These figures are speculative and should be treated as estimates.
