- Launch Timeline & Models: Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S26 lineup at a January 2026 Unpacked event [1]. Reports indicate the series will include a base Galaxy S26 (possibly renamed S26 Pro), a new “Galaxy S26 Edge” (replacing the S25 Plus), and the high-end S26 Ultra [2] [3]. Times Now even suggests an official launch as early as January 2026 [4].
- Charging & Battery: Leaks claim the S26 Ultra will finally jump from 45W to 60W wired charging [5] – about 33% faster than the S25 Ultra. However, battery capacity is likely to stay around 5,000 mAh, unchanged since the S20 Ultra in 2020 [6] [7]. (Analysts note Samsung “may feature the same 5,000 mAh battery as every top-tier flagship since 2020” [8].)
- Camera Upgrades: Insider leaks suggest notable camera improvements. For example, tipsters say the S26 Ultra’s 50 MP periscope (5x) zoom lens will have a much wider f/2.9 aperture (vs f/3.4 on the S25) [9] – promising brighter low‑light and sharper portrait shots. The Ultra is still rumored to pack a ~200 MP main sensor and dual telephoto lenses (matching or exceeding S25 hardware). For perspective, Google’s new Pixel 10 Pro (launched Aug 2025) offers a 5× telephoto up to 100× digital zoom [10], so Samsung’s camera upgrades seem aimed at staying competitive.
- AI Features & Software: Samsung appears to be pushing Galaxy AI hard with S26. Leaks from One UI 8.5 (the next update) reveal at least four new AI features debuting on S26 series: real-time translation (“Meeting Assist”), on-screen text processing (“Touch Assist”), smart clipboard commands (Translate/Summarize/Correct, etc.), and even a “Social Composer” to auto-generate captions and reviews [11]. More broadly, Samsung may offer multiple AI “agents” on S26 (its Gauss model, Google Gemini, Perplexity, etc.) to handle user queries automatically [12]. As PhoneArena observes, Samsung’s “strong push toward generative AI” is likely to “grab the most attention” for the S26 series [13].
- Design, Display & S Pen: Rumors point to a sleeker, more curved S26 design. The Ultra may use a rounded-edge frame and new anti-reflective glass, with all four corners more curved than before [14] [15]. Leaked renders even suggest the S Pen is getting a fresh look to match (one leak notes “a redesigned S Pen which will complement the updated design” [16]). Notably, the S26 Edge is tipped to be extremely thin (~5.5 mm vs the S25 Edge’s 5.8 mm) [17], making it Samsung’s slimmest phone yet if true.
With these key points in mind, here is a deeper look at what the rumors and reports are saying about the Galaxy S26 series – and how it will compare to the current S25 phones.
Launch Date and Model Lineup
All signs point to a traditional Samsung Unpacked event in early 2026. PhoneArena expects the S26 reveal in mid-January or early February [18] (Samsung has typically unveiled S series phones on a Wednesday in late Jan/early Feb). This matches reports that Samsung is preparing an early 2026 launch. A Times Now (LatestLY) report specifically notes the S26 series “might launch in January 2026” [19]. Meanwhile, Samsung is shaking up its naming. Leaks claim there will no longer be an “S26 Plus.” Instead, the lineup should be Galaxy S26 (base), S26 Edge (super-slim model replacing the Plus), S26 Pro (possibly the rebranded mid-tier), and S26 Ultra [20] [21]. (In other words: “One is certain: the S26 Ultra is said to keep the same name” [22], but the smaller models are being renamed.)
Samsung hasn’t confirmed any of this, but these leaks come from multiple sources. For example, PhoneArena and LatestLY cite insider rumors that the Edge will take the Plus’s place [23] [24]. (Times Now even quotes an Indian pricing leak of ~₹159,990 for the S26 Ultra – about $1,900 – which would be higher than the S25 Ultra’s ₹139,999 [25].) In summary, expect a January 2026 debut of three new S26 phones, with a reshuffled model lineup and premium price tags.
Charging, Battery and Performance
Samsung is reportedly addressing one long-standing gripe: charging speed. According to tipsters like Ice Universe, the S26 Ultra will support 60W wired charging [26] – a jump from the 45W top speed it has used since the S22 Ultra. As Moneycontrol reports, this is “33% faster charging than the Galaxy S25 Ultra,” meaning a short charge could refill a substantial battery life [27]. That’s still below the fastest Chinese phones (which already hit 100W+), but it would outpace Apple’s latest iPhone (currently ~40W max [28]).
However, leaks suggest the actual battery capacity won’t grow. Multiple certification listings point to about a 4,855 mAh cell (which Samsung counts as ~5,100 mAh typical) [29] [30]. In other words, the Ultra would again use roughly a 5,000 mAh pack. PhoneArena’s Ilia Temelkov dryly notes this “may feature the same 5,000 mAh battery as every top-tier Samsung flagship since 2020” [31]. In his words, “one of the biggest hopes of Samsung fans… is related to its battery,” but for now Samsung seems content to match the S25 (or even the S20) [32]. The company may rely on efficiency improvements or thinner design to justify this.
Under the hood, both the S26 Pro and Ultra are expected to use Qualcomm’s next-gen Snapdragon (reportedly the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen2, launched late 2025), with possibly Exynos chips in some regions. A rumored 16 GB RAM option is also floated [33]. Overall performance is likely to be a modest step up – the bigger story is on battery and charging.
Cameras and Optics
The Galaxy S series is known for its top-tier cameras, and rumors suggest Samsung will keep improving. The S26 Ultra is expected to retain a 200 MP main sensor (as on the S25 Ultra), plus multiple telephoto lenses. The big change is likely in the telephoto zoom optics: leaks say the Ultra’s 50 MP periscope (5×) lens will have a wider f/2.9 aperture, compared to f/3.4 on the S25 Ultra [34]. A wider aperture means more light intake, promising brighter night shots and smoother bokeh. Android Authority reports that a trusted leaker says “the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 5x camera will have an f/2.9 aperture” [35], calling it a “long overdue upgrade.” (For comparison, rival phones like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra already use f/2.6 or f/2.7 periscopes.)
Other cameras might see smaller tweaks: some rumors suggest the S26 Pro (i.e. base S26) might boost its ultra-wide sensor, or that the S26 Ultra could experiment with an under-display selfie camera (though that report seems “shady” for now) [36]. In any case, Samsung is unlikely to fall behind. Google’s new Pixel 10 Pro, for instance, just gained an AI-driven “Pro Res Zoom” up to 100× using a 10× optical telephoto [37]. Samsung will need strong optical zoom to keep pace.
In the meantime, software also matters. The S25 series already introduced AI camera features like Audio Eraser and improved HDR. We expect the S26 to build on that with software upgrades in Low Light and Pro modes [38], in addition to the hardware hints above. As one rumor roundup puts it, Samsung may combine these “core display” and camera enhancements with software tricks to stand out [39] [40].
AI and Software Features
A major theme for S26 is AI. Samsung has been rolling out “Galaxy AI” features on the S23/S24 series, and leaks suggest S26 will accelerate this trend. For one, the S26 phones are expected to ship with One UI 8.5, which is reported to include at least four new AI-powered tools [41]. SamMobile editor Adnan Farooqui summarizes leaked features: “Meeting Assist” for real-time speech/translation during video calls, “Touch Assist” for smarter text reading on screen, a smart clipboard (with on-demand Summarize, Translate, etc.), and a “Social Composer” that auto-generates social media captions or product reviews from images [42]. In short, tasks like translations, content editing, and writing help will be built into the UI, making the phones more “AI-aware” out of the box. (One UI 8.5 is not expected to launch publicly until the S26 phones ship, since One UI 8.0 is still rolling out on older devices.)
Beyond built‑in features, leaks also point to Samsung offering multiple AI agents/models on the S26. Samsung’s own Gauss model, Google’s Gemini, and even Perplexity AI may be selectable as the assistant behind queries [43]. Android Authority and SamMobile note that an “agentic AI” system could let the phone automatically choose the best AI service for a task [44]. As one report puts it, Samsung aims “to offer more choices and take users towards the agentic AI future” [45]. In practice, this could mean richer AI chat replies, better on-device generative content, and Siri-like help without always needing an internet search.
To sum up, industry analysts see Samsung moving heavily into AI. PhoneArena writer Iskra Petrova even highlights that Samsung might “team up with Perplexity AI for the Galaxy S26” [46]. This lines up with recent Samsung statements about investing in AI startups. For the consumer, this could translate to smarter photo editing, translation and productivity tools – essentially adding AI “magic” to everyday phone use.
Design, Display & S Pen
Rumors say the S26 series (especially Ultra) will sport a refined design. Multiple leak sources agree on more curved edges and rounded corners compared to the blocky, Note-like S25 Ultra [47] [48]. The goal seems to be a sleeker feel in hand. TechRadar’s David Nield reports that tipsters foresee the S26 Ultra’s screen remaining ~6.89 inches (virtually unchanged from the S25’s 6.9″) [49], but with possibly smaller bezels or “surprise” display tech (even an AI-powered privacy filter) under the glass [50] [51]. In short, we’re unlikely to see a bigger screen, but the viewing experience might improve via better glass or software.
One notable design rumor: the Galaxy S Pen. Some earlier chatter suggested Samsung might drop the stylus to slim down the phone. But leaks now indicate the S26 Ultra will keep the S Pen, just revamped. SamMobile notes that a leaked photo “hints at a redesigned S Pen which will complement the updated design” [52]. So users can probably expect the slim slot stylus to remain (without Bluetooth buttons, as rumored), but with a new look that matches the phone’s curves.
The rest of the lineup is also getting attention. The S26 Edge, for example, is rumored as Samsung’s thinnest phone yet – only about 5.5 mm thick [53] (for context, the S25 Edge was ~5.8 mm). This extreme slimness likely means some trade-offs (smaller battery, for one), but it’s a noteworthy engineering feat if true. The standard S26 Pro (base model) is said to have a 6.27″ display [54], making it slightly more compact than the 6.36″ on the S25 Pro. All models should continue with high-refresh AMOLED screens, possibly now using Samsung’s latest anti-reflective coatings and LTPO tech for even smoother 1–120 Hz refresh.
How S26 Compares to S25 (and Others)
Overall, the S26 series looks like an evolution rather than a revolution over S25. Many core specs are staying the same: display sizes (~6.9″ Ultra, ~6.7″ Edge, ~6.3″ Pro), the same 5,000 mAh Ultra battery, and similar starting prices (around $1,300 for Ultra). The real battles are on charging, cameras, and AI. In chargers, Samsung is finally racing Apple – the iPhone 17 tops out at ~40W [55], so 60W on S26 Ultra would reclaim the lead on raw speed. In cameras, competitors like Xiaomi and Google have pushed harder on zoom optics, so Samsung’s bigger aperture telephoto is a necessary catch-up. And in software, the whole industry is moving toward on-device AI – Samsung’s moves with One UI 8.5 show it doesn’t want to be left behind of Google’s Gemini or Apple’s new intelligence features.
Even Samsung’s own comments hint at this shift. The company has repeatedly said it is prioritizing AI experiences in its phones. For example, Samsung’s AI strategy and a recent commitment to hire 60,000 people around AI underline that Galaxy devices will lean heavily on generative features. We’ve already seen this with S25 adding an “AI photo guard” and S24 with new voice-to-text; S26 seems set to take this further into “agentic” territory and fully baked assistant tools.
Finally, although the S26 launch is months away, these leaks already guide user expectations. Many Samsung fans will be watching for that elusive jump in battery size (still doubtful) and hoping the charging and cameras deliver as promised. As PhoneArena wryly observes, Samsung may be “repeating its predecessors’ biggest mistake” by not increasing battery size [56]. But if the phone charges a third faster and has genuinely smarter AI features, Samsung may consider the trade-off worth it. In any case, all eyes will be on the Galaxy Unpacked event in early 2026 to see how much of these rumors come true.
Sources: Recent tech news and leaks from Moneycontrol, SamMobile, PhoneArena, TechRadar and others [57] [58] [59] [60] [61]. These include insider tips and industry analysis on the Galaxy S26 series. (All specs and dates are unconfirmed until Samsung’s official announcement.)
References
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