It’s been a particularly eventful season for Samsung Galaxy S26 rumors. We’ve seen a flurry of leaks about the entire lineup, and I’m torn. As an enthusiast, I’m still frustrated that Samsung isn’t doing enough.
However, fair is fair, and the company is supposedly making material changes to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is more than I can say for last year.
Unfortunately, the other two devices in the lineup don’t appear that exciting, and the Galaxy S26+ and S26 seem headed for also-ran status.
A slightly improved Galaxy S26 Ultra only solves one of Samsung’s problems, and the cancellation of the Galaxy S25 Edge leaves me with more questions than answers.
Samsung desperately needs a coherent strategy for the Galaxy S26 line. Here’s what I’d like to see happen.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
I’m ready for the Exynos 2600
I’ve given up the ghost of expecting wholesale changes to the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung’s made it clear that it won’t do anything too drastic, and getting people to upgrade from their Galaxy S23 Ultra is the only bar the company seems interested in reaching.
Still, there are some meaningful changes rumored that give me a little bit more hope than I had last year with the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
I hope Samsung goes all in with its Exynos 2600 chipset in the Galaxy S26 lineup. Supposedly, the company has resolved the low-yield issues it’s had with its Exynos silicon in the past.
I don’t know why we’ve seen leaks that Samsung is pushing the launch of the Galaxy S26 to March, but perhaps it’s to give the company more time for manufacturing.
I’m excited about the future of Exynos, and it’s time for Samsung to follow Apple and Huawei and move to its own chipsets.
I didn’t think we’d get a new camera sensor in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but at least we’re getting a wider aperture. It’ll let in more light, giving the sensor (and Samsung’s computational photography) more data to work with.
I fully expect better low-light photos, and I’m looking forward to the comparison between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Pixel 10 Pro XL with Google’s Night Sight.
When I first heard that Samsung was discontinuing the Galaxy S25+, it made sense.
Let’s face it, the leaked design renders aren’t the most exciting.
However, I prefer Samsung to pick a direction, and it appears the company is leaning into the rounded corners from last year. It gives the device a little character back, although nothing will ever match the old-school Galaxy Note phones.
I didn’t love the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but there’s no doubting it’s one of the best smartphone displays I’ve ever used. It’s gorgeous, and apparently, Samsung isn’t done yet. I can’t wait to see the rumored M14 OLED panel on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
However, I’m really excited about the Privacy display feature. Leaks suggest we’ll be able to pick which apps have limited visibility from off-angles. It’s like having a privacy screen protector, but you choose when to use it.
I don’t know how many times I’ve avoided opening up a banking app in a crowd or on public transportation for fear of prying eyes.
With this new feature, I can activate the Privacy display and open my apps worry-free.
Samsung Galaxy S26+
Samsung should revive the Edge instead
When I first heard that Samsung was discontinuing the Galaxy S25+, it made sense.
The Galaxy S25 Edge occupied a weird spot in the lineup, and Samsung would’ve been better off cutting the S26+ and making the Galaxy S26 Edge the new middle child.
However, Samsung flipped back, opting to cancel the Galaxy S25 Edge instead.
I’m still not convinced Samsung won’t bring the phone back under another name, but I’m curious to see what Samsung does with its $1,000 flagship option.
If Samsung keeps everything the same, I’m at a loss. There needs to be a more significant difference between the Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra than currently exists for a $300 price gap.
Slotting in the Galaxy S26 Edge is the perfect solution. The Galaxy S26 Ultra could be the phone for hardcore users who want to enjoy the S pen and extra cameras with a larger battery. The Galaxy S26 Edge could be the sleek model, much like the old S-series phones, appealing to casual users.
I don’t want to return to what we used to have, when Samsung wouldn’t even put a QHD display on the Plus model phones. It’s an important phone and the company charges big money for it, so we deserve a worthy flagship.
Samsung Galaxy S26
No longer a “Pro”
I was curious to see what Samsung would do to the Galaxy S26 to give it a Pro moniker.
I’m all for a powerful smartphone with a smaller display, and last year’s Galaxy S25 was an excellent option for many buyers. However, leaks suggest the Galaxy S26 to be a modest upgrade, and we’ve since heard that Samsung is dropping the Pro name.
I don’t know what Samsung could do to make the Galaxy S26 more exciting, but I’m not convinced it has to do anything.
The value proposition is there, and if Samsung can deliver a solid flagship experience with a slightly better camera for $800, I’ll be happy.
I don’t understand the push to make the standard S26 a Pro model, as I think that’s the phone that appeals to casual users the most.
Samsung has plenty of decisions to make
I think the Galaxy S26 is an excellent opportunity for Samsung to make some sense out of its flagship lineup.
The company has a chance to produce three devices with three different price points and clear reasons why you’d opt for each.
Unfortunately, it feels like we’re in for more of the same. I appreciate that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be upgraded, but there’s more work to be done.
