Table of Contents
Introduction
The Samsung Galaxy S series has always been the benchmark for premium smartphones, and now as 2026 approaches, the craze for the Samsung S26 series is also increasing. According to leaks and rumours, the Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 Ultra, and maybe an S26 Edge variant could also be launched, which has created a lot of excitement among tech lovers.
In this blog, we will talk about the expected release date, price, and some standout features—especially about the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung S26 Release Date
Samsung has always launched its Galaxy S series on a fixed schedule—mostly in January or February. Following this trend, the announcement of the Samsung S26 series could happen between January 14 and 25, 2026, while sales are likely to begin in early February 2026.
Some rumours are also suggesting that Samsung is planning an early launch this time—possibly in December 2025—so that it can take advantage of the holiday season and give direct competition to Apple iPhones. But still, the January 2026 launch seems to be the strongest and expected possibility, which perfectly matches Samsung’s traditional Unpacked event schedule.
Samsung S26 Ultra Price
The pricing of Samsung S26 Ultra is also expected to maintain its premium status, as was the case with the earlier models. The price of the base variant (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) in India is approximately ₹129,999 to ₹159,990, with some variation possible as per the source.
Price in the U.S. is estimated to start at $1,299, while the 512GB and 1TB variants could go up to $1,499 and $1,699.
Samsung may also bring some launch offers like:
- Enhanced trade-in credits
- Free storage upgrades
In the case of previous models, carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile offered up to $1,000 trade-in discounts—and something similar is expected at the launch of the Samsung S26 Ultra as well.
Samsung S26 Features
Design and Display
The design of the Samsung S26 series will be part of the refinement that was first introduced with the Galaxy S25. Expectations for the S26 Ultra are that it could feature a 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED display with a 120 Hz or 144 Hz refresh rate and up to 3,000 nits brightness—which would deliver vibrant colours and amazing outdoor visibility.
According to rumours, this time there could also be thinner bezels and an under-display selfie camera, which would provide a notch-free and more immersive display experience.
The S26 and S26+ are expected to have 6.27-inch and 6.7-inch AMOLED displays, respectively—both with a 120 Hz refresh rate.
This time around, a new colour-filter-on-thin-film-encapsulation (CoE) technology and depolariser tech could also be introduced, which could make the S26 Ultra‘s display even thinner, brighter, and more energy-efficient.
Performance
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 processor that is based on the 3nm process—which should significantly improve both performance and efficiency. Some markets may also see the Exynos 2600 chip, but globally the Ultra variant is expected to use Snapdragon.
As for RAM configurations, the base variant is expected to start with 12GB of RAM, and the top variant could get up to 16GB of RAM. Storage options are likely to be 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
This series will run on One UI 8 or 8.5, which will be based on Android 16, which will include:
- Smoother animations
- Enhanced AI features
And up to 7 years of software updates, i.e., support till 2033.
Camera
The biggest highlight of the S26 Ultra will be its quad-camera setup, which can be found according to the leaks:
200MP main sensor (this time probably a Sony sensor is used, not Samsung’s ISOCELL)
- 50MP ultra-wide lens
- 50MP periscope lens with 5x optical zoom
- And a 12MP or 10MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom
This setup promises improved low-light performance and sharper zoom clarity, which will directly compete with phones like the Vivo X200 Pro.
The S26 and S26+ could feature similar camera hardware, but some minor upgrades in secondary sensors are expected. A 12MP under-display selfie camera is also rumoured—but its image quality still remains a question mark.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is also expected to see a significant improvement, with the S26 Ultra expected to feature a 5,000 mAh to 5,750 mAh battery. This time Samsung could use stacked or silicon-carbon technology, which will increase battery capacity without increasing the size of the phone.
Charging speed is also expected to get an upgrade—according to leaks:
- 60W or 65W wired fast charging
- with 15W wireless charging
and could also support the new Qi2 standard.
Additional Features
The S Pen support is expected to continue with the S26 Ultra, and some enhancements could also be seen this time. Rumours also suggest that Samsung could rebrand this model as Galaxy S26 Note ”to revive the legacy of the old Note series.
Apart from this, a larger vapour chamber cooling system could also be found, which will significantly improve thermal performance—especially in gaming and multitasking. Along with this, some AI-driven features are also expected, which may be in collaboration with Perplexity AI, which will make the overall user experience smarter and more personalised.
FAQs
Q: When will the Samsung Galaxy S26 series launch?
A: The Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch in January 2026, and sales could start from early February 2026. There is a slight rumour that the launch could also happen in December 2025, but the chances are low.
Q: What is the expected price of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
A: The price of the base model (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) is expected to be ₹1,29,999–₹1,59,990 in India and $1,299 in the U.S. Higher storage variants like 512GB and 1TB are expected to be priced between $1,499 and $1,699.
Q: Will the Galaxy S26 Ultra have an under-display selfie camera?
A: According to leaks, it is expected to have a 12MP under-display selfie camera, but its implementation and quality are not yet confirmed.
Q: Which processor will be in the Galaxy S26 series?
The S26 Ultra will run globally on Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, while the S26 and S26+ could come with up to Exynos 2600 chips in some markets.
Q: Will the Galaxy S26 series get new AI features?
A: Yes, One UI 8 or 8.5 will introduce new AI features—probably in collaboration with Perplexity AI—that will make the photography and UI experience even smarter.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series, especially the S26 Ultra, is becoming a true powerhouse—featuring next-gen display technology, a powerful camera system, and top-tier performance.
Yes, it will be premium priced, but Samsung will focus on AI integration, more battery backup, and refined design—making this device a solid upgrade for tech lovers.
Until an official announcement comes, it’s safe to say that the S26 series will once again redefine how powerful a flagship smartphone can be.
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