Overview
- Multiple reports, citing leaker Ice Universe, outline an Unpacked event on February 25, pre-orders from February 26 to March 4, a pre-sale window from March 5 to 10, and retail availability beginning March 11.
- A Finnish retailer listing indicates every S26 model starts at 256GB, with 512GB options available, and color choices including Black, White, Sky Blue and Cobalt Violet, with Ultra variants also tipped in Silver Shadow and possibly Orange.
- The Ultra is rumored to add a built-in Privacy Display that narrows viewing angles and tougher, anti-reflective glass similar to Gorilla Armor to reduce reflections and improve scratch resistance.
- U.S. units are expected to run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with Exynos variants likely in other regions, continuing Samsung’s regional chipset strategy.
- U.S. launch prices are reportedly unchanged at $799 for S26, $999 for S26+, and $1,299 for S26 Ultra, as executives warn of rising DRAM and NAND costs and leaked plans point to Qi2 accessories such as a $70 5,000 mAh magnetic battery pack.