According to renowned tipster Ice Universe, known for accurate predictions of unreleased products, the Galaxy S26 series will include three models: the standard S26, S26 Plus, and the premium S26 Ultra.

Leaked renders of the Galaxy S26 have already surfaced via Android Headlines, offering a glimpse at what’s to come.

Notably absent from the leak is any mention of a Galaxy S26 Edge. However, this doesn’t necessarily confirm its cancellation, especially as the Galaxy S25 Edge wasn’t released until May 2025.

S26 and S26 Plus: Minor upgrades

According to the leak, the standard S26 will feature a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen (up from 6.2 inches on the S25), and a battery increase from 4,000mAh to 4,300mAh. Additionally, the 128GB storage option has been dropped, leaving only 256GB and 512GB variants.

In terms of cameras, the S26 retains the familiar triple-lens setup: 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens.

The S26 Plus appears nearly identical to the standard version, keeping the 6.7-inch QHD screen, 4,900mAh battery, and 45W charging. Storage and RAM remain unchanged. The only major upgrade lies in the chipset.

Overall, for users of basic or mid-tier smartphones, the S26 and S26 Plus offer modest improvements and may not feel like dramatic upgrades from previous models.

S26 Ultra: Refined, not revolutionary

According to Tom's Guide, the Galaxy S26 Ultra features more noticeable - but still incremental - enhancements.

The display remains at 6.9 inches, QHD resolution, and a variable 1–120Hz refresh rate.

The flagship model will reportedly be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, or in some markets, Exynos 2600.

RAM is expected to upgrade to LPDDR5X, a faster and more power-efficient standard compared to the LPDDR5 found in the S25 Ultra.

As for the camera setup, Samsung sticks with its 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultra-wide, and a 5x periscope zoom lens - unchanged from the previous generation. The only update is a slightly larger sensor for the 3x telephoto lens.

Battery capacity stays at 5,000mAh, but the most significant change may be the charging speed, which jumps from 45W to 60W.

Design-wise, the S26 Ultra will be thinner, at 7.9mm compared to 8.2mm on the S25 Ultra. The overall shape is said to be softer and more curved, giving the phone a sleeker aesthetic.

Those expecting a radical leap in camera or battery performance might be underwhelmed. However, for users prioritizing stable performance, faster charging, high-end RAM, and a refined design, the S26 Ultra could be a safe and satisfying choice.

Color options

While Ice Universe focused on hardware, other leak sources have discovered firmware wallpapers believed to correspond to the phone’s color variants.

According to Gadgets 360, the expected color options include black, light green, gray, orange, purple, and silver.

The orange variant is particularly notable, aligning with rumors that an orange Galaxy S26 Ultra may be in the works. However, not every wallpaper necessarily matches the final shell color, so caution is warranted.

When will the S26 series be released?

Earlier rumors suggested a February launch, but most reliable sources now believe Samsung will stick to its traditional January 2026 release window.

The S26 series will share the spotlight with Samsung’s newly introduced Galaxy Z Trifold, which may steal some attention from the conventional flagships.

Ultimately, the S26 and S26 Plus are seen as maintenance upgrades: improved chips, slightly better battery life, and the elimination of the 128GB variant. It’s a formula aimed at ensuring a stable experience.

The S26 Ultra, on the other hand, offers just enough refinement to appeal to high-end users - faster RAM, improved charging, and a sleeker frame - but doesn’t revolutionize its core features, especially in terms of photography.

If you’re already using an S25, S24, or S23, the S26 may not feel like a compelling leap - unless charging speed, performance efficiency, or form factor are priorities.

For those who upgrade flagships annually, it may be worth waiting for more details - or exploring Samsung’s foldable lineup.

Of course, all the information above is based on leaks and may change by the time Samsung officially unveils the Galaxy S26 series.

 
Hai Phong