The Galaxy S models left a strong mark on the history of flagship smartphones, and the rumors surrounding Galaxy S26 are already becoming hot. Although we are only slightly since the S25 launch, we are already getting trickles of information regarding design tweaks, AI smarts and performance improvements. Will Samsung redefine its lineup once again or continue with the formula? It may be released early in 2026, so, in the following list, we have enumerated the most plausible rumors that are floating about–they may be altered as time goes by.

Lineup Shake-Up: Pro Takes Center Stage, Plus Fights For Survival.

The existing S25 family by Samsung has become congested as it has five models: the original S25, S25 Plus, S25 Ultra, slim S25 Edge, and affordable S25 FE. In the case of the S26, insiders give recommendations of reducing to three or four models, dropping the poor company. According to Korean reports via Elec, the base model might rebrand as Galaxy S26 Pro, and features more premium vibes without increasing the price.

The S26 Plus was even unofficially said to be phased out in favor of the more polished S26 Edge but current sales reports have the S25 Plus selling better than the Edge, so Plus is coming back to development silently at Samsung. The core three, S26 Pro (base), S26 Edge (slim) and S26 Ultra, but it may be accompanied by Plus. This is in line with the lean culture of Apple that seeks to reduce redundancy and increase profitability.

Design Vibes: Borrowing of the Big Guys?

In case the renders are accurate, the S26 series would possibly pay homage to the iPhone 17 with its rectangular camera bumps. The S26 Pro may be a vertical triple-camera island, the S26 Edge is horizontal end-to-end as the iPhone Pro Max, with two lenses. The S26 Ultra? It has a vertical three-plus side-mounted fourth camera that has a bulging module to give it that modern touch.

Screen sizes receive a incline: S26 Pro with 6.27-inch (up from 6.2), as well as S26 Plus and Edge, and Ultra with 6.7-inch (6.9 inches). Colors? An orange of the Universe to the Ultra may rob the scene. Great news to stylus enthusiasts: the stylus on the Ultra is being repackaged as a full-Qi2 device without the problem of interference causing magnetic cases and with Bluetooth functionality reinstated.

Artificial Intelligence and Programming: Perplexity Joins the Party.

Samsung molling over Perplexity AI, which may be preloaded on S26 phones and integrated into the browser, Google Gemini will be kept in its place, but this may make on-device smarts interesting.

Android 16, based on expect One UI 8, is fresh out of the box on the Z Fold 7. The 7 years of updates are also a lock-in, and generative AI improvements on editing and productivity are rumored.

Power Under the Hood: Snapdragon Eats the World.

The lineup is going to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which was announced last month and is 20% faster and 35% more efficient than the Gen 4 that rapt the benchmarks in the S25 Ultra. US and China receive Snapdragon through the board but at the global market, the Exynos 2600 (2nm process) could be used in the Pro and Plus to save costs. RAM? To 16GB on more advanced models, and fast UFS 4.1 storage.

Camera and Battery: It’s Steady, Not Revolutionary.

Camera gripes from S25 users? The S26 won’t overhaul much. Base has a 50MP in the primary shooter; Ultra has 200MP in the primary shooter but changes to a brighter, f/1.4 aperture and perhaps a larger Sony sensor (1/1.1-inch). Variable aperture could reappear and the Edge is given a 50MP ultrawide. Selfies remain stagnant, according to leaks- no large front-facing leaps.

The battery news is more positive: S26 Ultra is supposed to be between 5,400mAh (increased to 5,000mAh), with stacked technology to make slimmer constructions. The Ultra wireless (charging over 45W) can reach 60W wired, and the full Qi2 magnets support 25W wireless at last. The Pro? A 4,300mAh cell with 45W wired.

Introduction Lowdown: January Buzz, Prices TBD.

In line with tradition, Samsung is likely to roll out Unpacked in late January or early February 2026, although unfounded rumors of a wild December are going around that the iPhone 17 has to get. Pre-orders will be done soon, and delivery is in March. Pricing? Probably reflects S25, which is based on the price of a Pro, but US tariffs may force it a little higher.

The Galaxy S26 is aimed at polish rather than innovation: increased efficiency, AI flashiness, and love of accessories. This is tempting, in case you hold an S24 or more, and the owners of S25, take your seats. We will report when the leaks become solid–a solid year of shaping 2026 to Samsung fans.
Also Read: M5 iPad Pro vs. M4 iPad Pro
Source: PCmag.com