Samsung’s Galaxy S series remains a flagship powerhouse, and early leaks of the 2026 lineup—codenamed M1 (S26), M2 (S26+), and M3 (S26 Ultra)—hint at evolutionary improvements amid an AI focus. While the S25 series (launching in January 2025) set the benchmark, the S26 could launch in February, potentially coinciding with Samsung’s Unpacked event in San Francisco to focus on generative AI enhancements. Firmware snippets reveal that it will have One UI 8.5 on Android 16 out-of-the-box, with S25 beta testing starting in mid-December 2025. The design flaunts a premium pill-shaped rear camera module for all variants, with thin bezels and an M14 AMOLED panel that boasts 2,600 nits brightness and better color accuracy.
One big change: The Exynos 2600—Samsung’s first 2nm SoC, teased for December 2025—will power the base S26 and S26+ in regions like Europe and South Korea, offering a 14% better multi-core CPU, 75% GPU uplift, and 6x NPU gains compared to rivals like Apple’s A19 Pro. According to the leak, the S26 Ultra will continue to be powered by the global Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with mass production set to begin in early 2026. All are expected to have 16GB of RAM, which will enable intuitive AI tasks like real-time translation and photo editing.
The S26 Ultra will feature a 200MP ISOCELL HP2 main (upgraded aperture), a 50MP ultrawide, a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto, and a new 12MP 3x telephoto—replacing the 10MP for better zoom versatility. The base S26/S26+ gets a 50MP ISOCELL S5KGNG main, 12MP telephoto (3x), and 12MP ultrawide camera—the same as before but AI-optimized for low light and video. Display: 6.3-inch FHD+ LTPO (S26), 6.7-inch QHD+ (S26+), and 6.9-inch QHD+ (Ultra)—all with 120Hz, Gorilla Glass Victus 3, and under-display fingerprint.
Battery capacities have increased: 4,300mAh (S26, +300mAh from S25), 4,900mAh (S26+), and 5,400mAh (Ultra) with 45W wired, 15W wireless (Qi2), and improved thermals for 30% cooler operation. Storage starts from 128GB/12GB RAM (S26) to 1TB/16GB (Ultra). An IP68 rating, titanium frame (Ultra), and Galaxy AI 2.0 with on-device processing complete the package.
The Unpacked event is rumored to take place on February 25, 2026—which is earlier than the usual January schedule to avoid delays in Exynos yields. Prices will probably remain stable: S26 ₹80,999, S26+ ₹99,999, Ultra ₹1,29,999 (India)—the same as the S25, although US prices will start at $799–$1,299, accounting for inflation. Leaks from Ice Universe and Korean media have fueled the buzz, but Samsung’s silence keeps specifications still speculative—keep an eye out for teasers coming in January.
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