The Galaxy S26 lineup is set to make its official debut in just a few weeks, marking the start of what is expected to be the fiercest premium smartphone battle of 2026.

After months of conflicting rumors surrounding the release timeline for the Galaxy S26 series, the picture is finally coming into focus thanks to reliable sources in the tech industry.

Although Samsung has yet to officially confirm the date, February 25 now appears to be locked in for the company’s first Unpacked event of 2026.

Several leading Korean media outlets had previously hinted at February 25 as the date, and this has now been reinforced by prominent tech leaker Evan Blass, who stated with certainty that it is “100% accurate.” Given Blass’s nearly flawless track record, the tech world is treating this as all but confirmed.

The event, notably, is once again scheduled for a Wednesday-continuing Samsung’s well-established tradition. For reference, the Galaxy S25 was also launched on a Wednesday last year, as was the Galaxy S24 back in 2024.

However, the difference lies in the timing. Unlike the Galaxy S24 and S25, which launched in January to allow for earlier global sales, the Galaxy S26 will be arriving later than its predecessors. The Galaxy S23, for instance, was introduced on February 1, 2023.

While Samsung has seemingly avoided a lengthy delay, as some earlier rumors feared, the Galaxy S26 series will still land on the market later than previous iterations.

Galaxy S26 Ultra may go on sale in early March

The actual sales launch is likely to fall in early March. Based on patterns from previous years, predictions point to either March 6 or March 13 as potential release dates-though these remain speculative.

Samsung has not disclosed why it chose not to unveil the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra earlier this month. However, barring any serious hardware issues, the company is expected to expedite the rollout shortly after the Unpacked event.

This could mean that devices may hit the shelves just 7 to 10 days after the February 25 announcement. That said, consumers are advised to stay patient rather than try to pinpoint the timeline too precisely.

The good news is that aside from the likely launch date, most specifications and key features of the Galaxy S26 series have already been shaped through credible leaks. Samsung’s 2026 flagship is expected to focus heavily on performance, camera advancements, AI capabilities, and overall user experience optimization.

Will a later release hurt Samsung in its battle with Apple?

Probably not to a critical extent-especially given that the delay isn’t drastic and the year is still young.

However, Samsung no longer has much room for error if it intends to enter the market later than fans had hoped. The biggest concern circulating in the tech community now is the rumored price hike compared to the Galaxy S25. If confirmed, this could strike a psychological blow to consumers.

A delayed, more expensive Galaxy S26 Ultra would face stiff competition from Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max-not to mention the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max and the long-rumored first-generation iPhone Fold.

Samsung still has the opportunity to make a big impact, but the road ahead is far from easy.

If the current leaks prove true, tech enthusiasts can start marking their calendars-February 25 may well be the moment when the Galaxy S26 steps into the spotlight, launching what promises to be the most intense high-end smartphone showdown of 2026.

Hai Phong