The Galaxy S26 series is right around the corner, and Samsung’s flagship lineup is once again at the center of speculation, leaks, and heated debate. With only a few months to go before its official reveal, fans and insiders alike are dissecting every whisper to figure out what exactly the South Korean tech giant has in store. 
While some changes sound evolutionary, others could signal a small but meaningful shift in Samsung’s strategy.
Goodbye Edge? Or Not Quite Yet
One of the most curious parts of this year’s rumor mill is the fate of the Galaxy S26 Plus and its sometimes-confusing sibling, the Edge. Early in 2024, reports suggested Samsung might scrap the Plus altogether, replacing it with a sleeker Edge model. However, recent industry chatter paints a different picture. The Plus model may actually be coming back after sales of the S25 Edge underperformed. If true, that means Samsung might abandon the Edge branding or keep it as a limited regional or experimental edition. In short: the Plus is probably not dead – just slightly delayed in its return.
Rebranding the Base: Galaxy S26 Pro
Another major shift could come with the base Galaxy S model itself. Rumors indicate Samsung might ditch the simple “S26” name in favor of “S26 Pro.” The change might be purely cosmetic, designed to make the entry-level model sound more premium – something Apple and Xiaomi have successfully done with similar naming tactics. Still, from what insiders report, it’ll be the same core model, not a drastically upgraded version. The Ultra remains the flagship titan, complete with the most advanced specs and design refinements Samsung can deliver.
Processor Split Returns: Snapdragon vs Exynos
Samsung seems ready to return to its old dual-chip strategy. Last year’s Galaxy S25 lineup used the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chip worldwide, delighting many users who had grown tired of the inconsistent performance of Exynos models. But this time, things may change again. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to exclusively feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the base and Plus/Edge models might run on Samsung’s in-house 2nm Exynos 2600 chip. Instead of regional splits – Snapdragon for the U.S., Exynos for Europe – this could mark Samsung’s first by-model chip differentiation. Whether that’s good news depends on how much the Exynos has truly improved.
M14 OLED: The Brighter, Better Display
Samsung’s display division is about to flex its muscles again. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is said to debut with the brand-new M14 OLED panel, promising higher brightness, longer life, and significantly better power efficiency. These aren’t just cosmetic upgrades – this new panel could have real-world benefits, especially for battery longevity and visibility under harsh sunlight. Given that Samsung already makes some of the best displays in the industry, an improvement here might make the S26 Ultra’s screen the best mobile display on the planet.
Charging Finally Speeds Up
For years, Samsung has lagged behind Chinese brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus when it comes to charging technology. That could change with the S26 Ultra, which reportedly jumps from 45W to 60W wired charging. It’s not the 100W territory others have reached, but it’s a welcome upgrade for users tired of waiting an hour to get a full charge. There’s also talk that the Ultra and Edge models might support full Qi2 wireless charging – not just the “Qi2 Ready” variant that needs special cases. This would mean faster, more convenient wireless top-ups straight out of the box.
Qi2 and the S Pen Debate
Speaking of wireless charging, one interesting point of contention revolves around the S Pen. Some early rumors suggested Samsung might have to drop the S Pen slot to accommodate the new Qi2 magnetic charging coils. But new leaks insist that the stylus will stay, possibly with a slight redesign. A recently spotted prototype of the S Pen shows a rounder, more ergonomic body, likely to match the softer curves of the S26 Ultra. So, users can still expect to jot down notes and sketches – no need to worry about losing the S Pen experience.
Design Tweaks: Slimmer, Softer, More Unified
Samsung’s design language appears to be evolving toward uniformity across the lineup. Renders of the S26 Ultra, Edge, and base models suggest that the Ultra will adopt rounder corners, shedding the sharp-edged boxy aesthetic of previous generations. This makes the phone more comfortable to hold and helps it visually align with the rest of the S26 family. At just 7.8mm thick, it could also be Samsung’s slimmest Ultra yet. Meanwhile, the Edge (if it survives) may adopt a stretched camera island similar to what we’ve seen on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pixel 9. The camera module on the base model is rumored to get slimmer lenses, further streamlining the back design.
Camera: Refinement Over Revolution
Don’t expect a radical overhaul, but do expect some fine-tuning. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to feature a new 200MP Sony sensor with a variable aperture, which could dramatically improve low-light photography and depth control. The Edge (or Plus) might get an upgraded 50MP ultra-wide lens, while the base model receives an enhanced primary sensor for better everyday shots. Samsung’s approach here seems to be incremental – but if the image processing gets smarter with AI-based enhancements, the results could still be significant in practice.
Beyond the Specs: What It Means for Samsung
All these leaks point to a familiar but slightly reimagined Galaxy S experience. Samsung isn’t reinventing the wheel this year – it’s polishing it. That might frustrate some users who want more daring innovation, especially in battery capacity or camera size. But with the rise of foldables and the stabilization of flagship pricing, Samsung’s goal may now be consistency and refinement rather than radical reinvention. The S26 Ultra, with its brighter screen, faster charging, and potential new design, represents a confident step forward rather than a bold leap.
With the official launch expected early next year, all eyes will be on how well Samsung balances tradition with evolution. The question isn’t whether the Galaxy S26 will be good – it’s whether it will feel new enough to justify the upgrade.
1 comment
The new rounder Ultra design sounds nice, I hated how sharp the old one felt in my hand