Overview
- Korean outlet ChosunBiz, cited by multiple tech sites, reports Samsung will announce the Galaxy S26 lineup in late January 2026 with sales starting in February after resolving a brief verification delay tied to dropping the planned Edge model.
- The chipset plan is reportedly set: Exynos 2600 for the Galaxy S26 and S26+, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for the S26 Ultra globally, aligning with guidance that Qualcomm will power a large share of units.
- Design leaks point to a slimmer base S26 at about 6.9mm and a rear magnetic ring indicating built‑in Qi2 wireless‑charging hardware, a first for Samsung phones if confirmed.
- Camera rumors remain mixed for the S26 Ultra’s 3x telephoto, with prominent leakers disagreeing on whether it gets a 12MP upgrade or a smaller 10MP‑class sensor, while brighter apertures for the main and 5x lenses are widely tipped.
- Analyst and supply‑chain reporting suggests the Ultra may launch at a higher price versus the S25 Ultra, citing the Snapdragon‑only choice for that model, broader component inflation and tariffs.