It’s been lower than 5 months since Samsung revealed the Galaxy S25 sequence, which incorporates the common mannequin, Galaxy S25 Plus, and flagship Galaxy S25 Extremely. Whereas a lot of the eye now focuses on the incoming Galaxy S25 Edge, we’re starting to grasp higher what to anticipate from Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup. At a minimal, we’re beginning to define what we’d wish to see within the 2026 telephones, which ought to launch in January.
Will the lineup as soon as once more function three fashions, or will a Galaxy S26 Edge be revealed on the similar time? Will we lastly see huge design adjustments to Samsung’s hottest telephone sequence, or ought to we count on extra of the identical?
Let the hypothesis start!
Newest Samsung Galaxy S26 leaks and rumors
It ought to come as no shock that the listing of Galaxy S26 rumors stays quick, though it would develop steadily as we method the launch. A March report means that Samsung gained’t rely completely on Qualcomm this time. Like earlier cycles (however not the Galaxy S25 sequence), the corporate has used a mixture of Qualcomm and its personal Exynos chips relying on the system and area. By together with Exynos chips within the lineup, Samsung lessens its reliance on Qualcomm. Nevertheless, Exynos chips are traditionally seen as inferior, and little question no matter 2026 chips Samsung makes use of might be seen equally.
A newer rumor says Samsung could substitute the 10MP 3x optical telephoto digital camera with a brand new sensor. Whereas the 200MP important, 50MP wide-angle, and 50MP 5x telephoto cameras are anticipated to stay a carryover from the present Galaxy S25 Extremely, the 10MP 3x zoom could possibly be changed by an unknown megapixel fourth sensor.
It wouldn’t be shocking for Samsung to tweak just a few cameras on the following Galaxy A Extremely. It focuses on upgrading completely different digital camera elements with every new Extremely mannequin. For instance, the Galaxy S25 Extremely upgraded the wide-angle digital camera to 50MP, and the Galaxy S22 Extremely launched the 200MP main digital camera.
A minimum of one rumor instructed that the following Galaxy S Extremely may provide an under-display front-facing digital camera system. That rumor has largely been debunked, nonetheless.
A number of different rumors in regards to the Galaxy S26 sequence, particularly the Galaxy S26 Extremely, have surfaced, however many appear extra like hypothesis than confirmed data. Amongst these are discussions that the sequence may provide new battery know-how and sooner wired charging and that the telephone may function superior face scanning much like Apple’s Face ID. Moreover, it’s speculated that the brand new flagship might be thinner than different fashions and have a brighter show.
Samsung Galaxy S26: what we wish to see
Now we have some preliminary ideas concerning the Galaxy S26 sequence. Whereas it stays unsure whether or not any of those hopes will materialize, we’re desperate to see what developments could come to mild.
Improved charging on cheaper fashions
Is it unreasonable to count on Samsung to boost charging for the extra inexpensive Galaxy S fashions? We don’t assume so. Upgrades to each wired and wi-fi charging would definitely enhance person consolation and on a regular basis effectivity. Quicker wired charging would tremendously cut back downtime, permitting customers to recharge their units shortly throughout temporary moments, significantly in emergencies or busy schedules. Furthermore, enhancements in wi-fi charging would result in a extra seamless cable-free charging expertise.
Improved cameras throughout the board
Whether or not it’s Samsung, Apple, or one other smartphone supplier, digital camera upgrades are practically all the time sure 12 months in and 12 months out — no less than on the very best fashions these firms have to supply. Inexpensive fashions, such because the common iPhone and Galaxy S, nonetheless, are inclined to see fewer digital camera upgrades 12 months over 12 months. We definitely don’t count on this to alter for Samsung in 2026, however we are able to nonetheless hope.
Smartphones are costly, even entry-level fashions, so it’s not asking an excessive amount of for even these fashions to see vital digital camera enhancements from technology to technology. Maybe Samsung will make this a actuality subsequent 12 months.
Do away with the Plus mannequin
Samsung is predicted to launch the Galaxy S25 Edge in Could. Just a few months later, Apple will reveal the iPhone Air. Collectively, the 2 smartphones will usher in a brand new period of glossy smartphones from the highest two telephone producers. Nevertheless, the giants are introducing these fashions in two alternative ways.
Apple, which already affords 4 telephones in its main lineup, is changing the iPhone Plus with the iPhone Air beginning with the iPhone 17 sequence this fall. In distinction, Samsung is growing its main telephone lineup from three to 4 items.
Whereas nothing is definite, the Galaxy S26 sequence may function 4 fashions as soon as once more (Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, Galaxy S26 Edge, and Galaxy S26 Extremely); nonetheless, it may additionally cut back the lineup to a few by eradicating the Galaxy S Plus from the 2026 lineup. That’s what Samsung ought to do, though a lot will in all probability rely on the recognition of the Galaxy S25 Edge and finally the iPhone 17 Air.
On account of lead instances, there’ll probably nonetheless be a Galaxy S Plus in 2026, though what occurs a 12 months later is way much less sure. Regardless, much less is best on this case, in our humble opinion, giving Samsung extra time to focus on the fashions that stay.
A noticeable design makeover
As a website targeted on the tech trade, we get pleasure from seeing and discussing design makeovers, particularly for smartphones. Nevertheless, we’re additionally real looking and acknowledge that firms like Samsung perceive that almost all shoppers choose to stay with acquainted designs fairly than spend their hard-earned cash on a brand new design which will or could not succeed. That is probably why the Galaxy S25 Edge can have restricted preliminary manufacturing quotas, permitting Samsung time to evaluate its recognition.
That mentioned, Samsung wants to think about making an enormous design change on no less than one mannequin within the Galaxy S26 sequence. The final time it considerably modified the look of its important Galaxy S sequence of telephones was with the discharge of the Galaxy S21 practically 5 years in the past, so anticipating some vital change in all probability isn’t asking an excessive amount of. After all, it ought to begin with the Galaxy S26 Extremely since will probably be the corporate’s subsequent flagship.
What design change ought to that be? Samsung ought to look to the Galaxy S25 Edge for inspiration, however finally make it distinctive to the Galaxy S Extremely.
Make Galaxy AI extra helpful
In January, Galaxy AI will have fun its second anniversary. Samsung’s suite of on-device and cloud-based AI options was as soon as unique to the Galaxy S24 sequence. Since then, some options have been prolonged to older and newer units.
As thrilling as lots of Galaxy AI’s options have change into (for instance, Circle to Search), some refinement would be certain that extra shoppers embrace it and make it a part of their on a regular basis lives. For the Galaxy S26 sequence, let’s hope Galaxy AI turns into simpler and extra sensible for the lots. Higher nonetheless, Samsung ought to take away options which are extra complicated than others to streamline Galaxy AI total.
Whereas we aren’t essentially pushing for one function over one other for elimination, there are just a few candidates. One probably complicated facet is Name Help, significantly the Dwell Translate function throughout calls. Some customers are undoubtedly discovering it awkward to depend on real-time translation whereas sustaining a pure dialog move, particularly if the translations aren’t correct or have a noticeable delay.
One other Galaxy AI function that wants enchancment (or elimination) is the Generative Edit function for pictures. As a result of unpredictable nature of AI-generated content material, outcomes are usually not all the time what customers count on. As such, many are in all probability not even utilizing it, and that ought to be addressed.
When to count on the Galaxy S26 sequence
Lately, Samsung has revealed its new Galaxy S sequence in January or February. We count on the identical for the Galaxy S26 sequence. The fashions will most definitely be introduced at a Galaxy Unpacked occasion early subsequent 12 months, with worldwide launch dates to observe. Within the meantime, let the rumors start.