The Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphone is back on track for an early 2026 launch, despite previous rumors suggesting a delay. Recent reports indicate that Samsung is planning to hold an Unpacked event in January, with the phones expected to hit stores by mid-February.
The initial delay speculations were linked to the uncertainty surrounding the Edge series. Poor sales of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge led to a reevaluation of the lineup, resulting in the removal of the Edge model and the reintroduction of the Samsung Galaxy S26+. This roster change was anticipated to cause a delay in the hardware verification process, but Samsung swiftly managed to reinstate the Plus model without any issues.
Contrary to earlier reports, the delay was not caused by the custom Exynos 2600 processor. The basic and Plus models of the Galaxy S26 will be powered by the Exynos chip, while the Ultra variant will feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.
In terms of rumors surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, leaks suggest that the phone will have a larger selfie camera hole, measuring 4mm in diameter. Despite the enlarged hole, the camera specifications remain unchanged. The screen bezel is expected to remain the same, indicating a cost-cutting strategy by Samsung. Additionally, all three models are rumored to feature a 10MP ISOCELL 3x telephoto camera.
Moving on to the Samsung Galaxy S26+ renders, the design closely resembles its predecessor, the Galaxy S25+. The main difference lies in the pronounced camera module, similar to the one on the Galaxy S25 Edge. The dimensions of the new phone are reported to be 158.4 x 75.7 x 7.35mm, showing minimal changes from the previous model.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup seems to be back on track for a January launch, with the Plus model making a comeback and the Ultra variant sporting some notable design changes. Stay tuned for more updates as the launch date approaches.
