According to a reputable Korean tech outlet, Samsung is set to unveil its next flagship phones - the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra - on February 25 in San Francisco. Pre-orders will begin globally on February 26, with an additional “pre-sale” period in South Korea from March 5 to March 10. The devices are expected to officially hit store shelves on March 11.

Later launch, but not unusual

While a March 11 release might feel slightly delayed compared to recent Galaxy S launches, the shift seems strategic.

The Galaxy S25 series went on sale February 3, 2025, while the S24 debuted even earlier, on January 24, 2024. The Galaxy S23 reached markets on February 17, 2023. With this historical context, the S26’s March launch is clearly later - but not unexpected.

Industry observers suggest this move reflects a broader adjustment in Samsung’s product roadmap, possibly aimed at spreading out major launches more evenly throughout the year.

Interestingly, Samsung is also said to have deliberately avoided launching on Friday the 13th - an unlucky date in Western superstition - opting instead for Wednesday, March 11.

Price remains the biggest mystery

With rumors of the Galaxy S26 Edge being scrapped (at least for now), the major concern for consumers has shifted to pricing. Will Samsung raise prices for the S26, S26 Plus, or especially the S26 Ultra?

Recent reports out of Korea suggest that a price hike is likely - at least domestically. However, sources indicate that key global markets like the US and Europe may still see prices hold steady, in line with earlier insider predictions.

This restraint would make sense. The Galaxy S26 series isn’t expected to bring major visual redesigns or revolutionary upgrades. While hardware tweaks are expected, they may not be dramatic enough to justify a global price hike - especially outside Samsung’s home market.

It’s worth noting that the costs of components and smartphone production are rising globally. But analysts believe that models like the S25 Ultra - and likely the S26 Ultra - still offer healthy profit margins. Many consumers hope Samsung will absorb some of the cost increases instead of passing them on.

Is the Galaxy S26 worth the wait?

That’s still up for debate. Leaks suggest the S26 series will bring a few notable improvements: a long-awaited privacy display mode, larger batteries, faster charging, next-gen processors, and enhanced camera sensors with new imaging tools.

However, not all of these features will appear across the board. Most of the major upgrades are expected to be exclusive to the Galaxy S26 Ultra - the biggest and priciest model in the lineup.

This leaves potential buyers of the base S26 or S26 Plus facing a tough decision: should they upgrade at all, or stick with the still-powerful Galaxy S25 series?

The answer may only become clear once Samsung fully unveils the S26 family at its upcoming Unpacked event.

Hai Phong