The next generation of Samsung Galaxy S26 It's already taking shape quite clearly, even though the brand hasn't made any official announcement yet. Leaks from suppliers, reports from specialized media outlets, and the presentation of the Exynos 2600 They have outlined a scenario in which they change the design, improve the internal hardware, and adjust the launch schedule compared to previous years.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, the S26 phones are expected to be very similar to previous models in some aspects, but with significant improvements in processor, battery, and artificial intelligence featuresAll of this with a pricing strategy that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, would remain very similar to that of the Galaxy S25 series, despite the increased cost of RAM.
Galaxy S26 range: models, strategy and goodbye to the compact format
Samsung will repeat the formula with a family made up of Three main variants: Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 UltraThe idea of an S26 Pro model or of recover an S26 Edge It has been discussed in rumors, but the latest information suggests that the classic base structure, Plus and Ultra, will be maintained.
One of the most discussed decisions is the change in size of the standard model. Various sources in the supply chain agree that the The Galaxy S26 will go from 6,1 to about 6,3 inches of screenThe objective would not be so much aesthetic as practical: more internal space is needed to better manage heat, integrate higher capacity batteries and leave room for more ambitious cooling systems.
This increase in diagonal size means that Samsung It bids farewell to the last truly compact option of its premium catalog. The S26 will remain the most affordable in the family, but will be quite close in size to the S26 Plus, reducing the physical difference between the two and standardizing the experience towards larger screens.
In parallel, the brand plans to continue clearly segmenting the target audience for each model: a S26 base more balanced For those who prioritize manageable size and price, an S26 Plus as an intermediate option and a The S26 Ultra is designed for demanding users and a more professional profile..
Leaks also indicate that Samsung is considering introducing a silicon anode battery In the S26, this would allow for a battery capacity of up to 4.300 mAh while maintaining a slim chassis. This technology, capable of storing more lithium ions than traditional graphite, opens the door to greater energy density and improved battery life without increasing weight.
New design: thinner chassis, island camera module and rear magnets
Visually, the Galaxy S26 series will focus on evolution, not a radical departure. All three models will maintain the overall design of the brand's current flagship phones, but with more rounded corners and a unified rear camera moduleInstead of "floating" sensors, the back will integrate a rectangular block where the lenses are grouped.
The leaks on the Galaxy s26 ultra They are especially detailed: the most ambitious model would be somewhat thinner than its predecessor, with about 7,9 mm thick compared to the 8,2 mm of the S25 Ultraand would still have room for the S-Pen. The challenge for the engineers will be to maintain or even improve the battery and cooling system in a more streamlined body.
Another striking change will affect the entire range: various reports point to a magnet system on the backSimilar to Apple's MagSafe, this would allow for the attachment of magnetic cases, chargers, stands, or wallets, which could be very practical for everyday use, although it would likely result in a slight increase in weight.
The dimensions of the devices are also dictated by the need for heat dissipation. The latest high-end chips and denser batteries demand more internal surface area for steam chambers and thermal pathwaysThe S26 would be lengthened by a few millimeters to make room for these elements without sacrificing autonomy.
Screens: larger, very bright, and with thinner bezels
Regarding the screen, no radical changes are expected, but some relevant adjustments are anticipated. Galaxy S26 base I would mount a panel AMOLED of approximately 6,3 inchesWith Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a maximum brightness of around 2,600 nits, enough to compete outdoors in direct sunlight.
El Galaxy S26 More I would raise the bar with some 6,7 inch AMOLED3.120 x 1.440 pixel resolution and up to 3.000 nits of brightness, also with 120 Hz. S26UltraFor its part, it would still be the largest, with approximately 6,9 inches and a QHD+ resolution (1.440 x 3.120 pixels), maintaining the adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz.
Some reports mention the use of AMOLED 2x panels with less reflection and better color accuracyThis will be appreciated by those who spend a lot of time outdoors or consume HDR content. The reduced bezels would allow for larger screen sizes without significantly increasing the overall size of the phone, partially compensating for the loss of the more compact form factor.
Protection would remain the responsibility of Gorilla Glass crystals It features the latest generation and IP68 certification against dust and water, so no major surprises are expected in terms of resistance compared to current models.
Processors: 2nm Exynos 2600 vs. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
One of the most critical aspects of the Galaxy S26 series will be the processor, especially in Europe and Spain, where Samsung will once again use Exynos in some modelsThe main protagonist is the Exynos 2600, a 2-nanometer SoC that promises to finally close the historical gap against Qualcomm in sustained performance, efficiency, and temperature.
According to technical leaks, the Exynos 2600 will feature a 10-core CPU divided into three clusters: a main core at 3,9 GHz for the most demanding tasks, three high-performance cores at 3,25 GHz, and six more focused on efficiency at 2,75 GHz. The chip relies on the new Arm Lumex platform, with improvements designed for artificial intelligence and advanced energy management.
In the graphics department, Samsung maintains its alliance with AMD through a JUNO GPU (Xclipse 960) at 985 MHz, based on RDNA architecture and compatible with Vulkan 1.3, OpenGL ES 3.2 and OpenCL 3.0On paper, this combination should offer a significant leap forward in gaming, video editing, augmented reality, and anything that relies on advanced graphics.
The Korean manufacturer has also reportedly worked on a new technology called Heat Path BlockDesigned to improve heat circulation within the device and minimize performance drops, brightness reduction, or overheating after several minutes of heavy use.
Regarding the chip distribution, the most reliable leaks suggest that The Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus will arrive with the Exynos 2600 in most of Europe, including Spain, while the United States, Canada, and China will receive versions with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The Galaxy S26 Ultra would exclusively feature Qualcomm's chip globally, reinforcing its role as the most ambitious model in the range.
Performance, battery life and connectivity: more autonomy and a leap in AI
Beyond the processor, the overall performance of the series will be supported by increased memory and new battery technologies. Several reports agree that the Base Galaxy S26 will go up to 12 GB of RAM In some configurations, it leaves behind the 8 GB of previous generations and improves multitasking and AI-based features.
Regarding autonomy, it is expected that the The S26 increases its battery capacity to approximately 4.300 mAhwhile the S26 Plus would remain around 4.900 mAh. In the case of the Galaxy s26 ultraSome sources mention 5.000 mAh, while others suggest a possible increase to 5.400 mAhIn any case, the goal is to offer more screen time without excessively increasing thickness.
Charging speeds would follow a conservative approach, with the base S26 at 25W fast charging and approximately 20W wireless chargingwhile the S26 Plus would maintain 45W. The Ultra could be the one to take a step forward, reaching 60W wired charging, a figure already common in other brands but which Samsung still had pending in its top range.
Another striking point is the possible addition of satellite connectivity The Galaxy S26 family features a new function designed for emergency situations where there is no mobile coverage. This function would allow users to send messages or share their location in circumstances where there is currently no service.
Cameras: continuity in the S26 and S26 Plus, a strong push in the Ultra
The photographic section of the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus He wouldn't experience a revolution, at least not on paper. The most consistent leaks speak of a 50 megapixel main sensorIt would be accompanied by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This configuration would be very similar to the previous generation, with more subtle improvements in processing and AI than in pure hardware.
Where a change in focus is noticeable is in the Galaxy s26 ultraThe most advanced model would retain a 200-megapixel main sensor, but with brighter opening (There has been talk of f/1.4 versus f/1.7 in the S25 Ultra), which would improve light capture, detail, and nighttime photos. This sensor would still be an ISOCELL HP2 capable of producing 12,5 MP, 50 MP, or 200 MP images depending on the mode.
The Ultra would also feature a 50 megapixel ultra wide angle and two telephoto lenses: one 10-megapixel with 3x optical zoom and another 50-megapixel with 10x optical zoom. The combination of both would allow for greater range without noticeable loss of quality, reinforcing the Ultra's role as an option for long-distance photography.
For the front camera, everything indicates that Samsung will repeat the resolution, but will introduce a wider field of viewThinking about group selfies and more landscape-oriented photos. A significant part of the leap in photography will come from the software side, with greater emphasis on computational photography and AI applied to focus, portraits, and video.
One UI 8.5 and Galaxy AI: the software layer takes center stage
The Galaxy S26 series will be responsible for launching the stable version One UI 8.5, Samsung's new customization layer based on Android. This update, already available beta testing In some terminals, it will take a further step in the integration of Galaxy A.I., the artificial intelligence platform that the brand has been developing since 2024.
Among the latests Moravia's compositions leaked news found more advanced image editing tools, improvements to the Quick Share function for sharing files between devices and a revamped interface with "glassy" visual elements, in line with what Apple offers in its latest versions of iOS.
A more capable Bixby is also expected, with expanded compatibility for third-party chatbots and smoother execution of AI functions on the device itself thanks to the improved NPU of the Exynos 2600 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The goal is for fewer tasks to depend on the cloud and more to run locally, reducing response times and data consumption.
Presentation and launch dates in Europe
The big question that still generates debate is the Galaxy S26 launch scheduleTraditionally, Samsung has unveiled its flagship S-series phones in January, with a market launch about three weeks later. However, the latest information suggests a change in plans.
Following the announcement of the Exynos 2600, South Korean media outlets have indicated that the next Galaxy Unpacked event will be dedicated to the S26. It would be held in February 2026 in the United Stateswith many predictions placing the event around February 25th in San Francisco. This date would fit with the strategy of positioning themselves just before the Mobile World Congress de Barcelona, scheduled for early March, and secure a good portion of the media spotlight at the start of the fair.
If this plan is confirmed, the Pre-sales for the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra are expected to begin in early March.with the first units arriving in European stores during the second week of that month. This would be the first time since the Galaxy S20 series that a flagship S model has gone on sale in March instead of February.
There has also been speculation about the possibility of a further delay until March The announcement itself is linked to design adjustments in the standard models and the cancellation of a hypothetical Galaxy S26 Edge in favor of keeping the Plus version. However, the most reliable sources continue to point to February as the presentation month.
Expected prices and market context
The other sensitive issue is the price. The rising cost of LPDDR5x RAM memory This has fueled rumors of price increases of between 50 and 100 euros in the high-end range by 2026. However, several reports indicate that Samsung is negotiating agreements with suppliers to To contain costs and maintain similar prices to those of the Galaxy S25.
The most frequently cited estimates place the The Galaxy S26 will cost around €969 in Europe.The S26 Plus is priced around €1.149 and the S26 Ultra around €1.399. Other sources suggest slightly different price ranges, with the base model around €900, the mid-range model around €1.100, and the Ultra in the €1.300-€1.400 range, always with variations depending on memory and storage.
All of this is happening in a context where Samsung itself, along with Apple, Google, and other manufacturers, are adjusting their high-end offerings to not overlap with mid-range releases like the Galaxy A, Pixel “a”, or more affordable iPhones. Postponing the S26 release date would also help avoid direct clashes with some of these launches.
For those upgrading from models like the Galaxy S24, the potential price increase and leap in features make it worthwhile to consider whether upgrading so soon is worthwhile. With more AI, a better screen, a next-generation processor, and improved battery life, the S26 is shaping up to be... An interesting update for demanding usersalthough not necessarily essential for everyone.
With all the information leaked so far, the Galaxy S26 family aims to consolidate the path Samsung has followed in recent years: three distinct models, a strong focus on performance and battery life, greater emphasis on artificial intelligence, and a refined but evolutionary design. The big news, at least for Europe, will be to see to what extent the The Exynos 2600 manages to keep up with the Snapdragon in real use and whether the date change helps or hinders the new S26 to find its niche in an increasingly saturated market.
