The Galaxy S26 smartphone range is on the way, Samsung has confirmed. The South Korean firm confirmed plans to launch a follow-up to the flagship Galaxy S25 lineup of smartphones during its latest earnings call.
Unconfirmed leaks have teased what's coming with the hotly anticipated Galaxy S26 lineup, but this is the first time Samsung has addressed its next major smartphone launch. During their third-quarter earnings call, a Samsung executive revealed these new Android handsets will arrive with cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), brand-new camera sensors, and a custom-designed processor for speedier performance.
The announcement came from Daniel Araujo, who leads Samsung's Mobile Experience Division. He promised the Galaxy S26 lineup will "revolutionise the user experience" through a combination of next-generation AI features, improved performance, and enhanced camera capabilities."
Samsung typically releases its next entry in the bestselling Galaxy S lineup at the beginning of the year, however, Mr Araujo didn't reveal an exact date during the earnings call. Whispers from inside the firm suggest Samsung could be planning a later release than usual, with February or March looking most likely.
Samsung Galaxy S26 release may be delayed, but this recently leaked photo gives you a sneak peek at what to expect, such as the updated camera bezel on the back of the phone
|When it comes to this new series, Samsung has confirmed you can expect a slew of brand-new updates.
For starters, the team is taking an advanced approach with their AI features. Mr Araujo explained that the new artificial intelligence won't just respond to commands.
It could be learning your habits and adapting to how you use the smartphone. This means your Galaxy S26 will understand your preferences and adjust its behaviour accordingly, creating what Samsung calls a "user-centric" experience. Samsung hasn't revealed every new AI feature yet, but these capabilities could be central to what sets the S26 series apart from its predecessors.
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For the processor, you'll have different options depending on where you live. Samsung is breaking new ground with its Exynos 2600 chip — the company’s first processor built on 2nm technology, promising faster performance and greater energy efficiency.
This smaller manufacturing process means the chip can pack more power, while using less battery. That's because signals between components have shorter distances to travel. Given that modern smartphones execute trillions of operations every single second, these small efficiencies quickly add up.
However, if you're in certain regions, your Galaxy S26 will come with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. Samsung hasn't confirmed any final decisions about which regions will get which processor.
They're evaluating both options to ensure you get the most efficient and powerful experience possible.
Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 have rounded corners, which Samsung says makes these handsets easier to grip. Samsung has shaved 15% off the borders around the displays to shrink the footprint of these new smartphones.
| SAMSUNG PRESS OFFICEThe new camera sensors will transform how you take photos with your Galaxy S26.
These upgraded sensors will deliver better image quality in all types of lighting, from bright sunshine to dimly lit restaurants.
AI is also being integrated further into your photography. There will be an AI-powered image processing system that quickly recognises each scene and automatically applies the perfect settings.
The company also mentioned advanced computational photography features, suggesting you'll see improvements in areas like portrait mode and night photography.