Samsung Galaxy S26 Launch Rumours: Privacy Display & AI Scam Detection
Tech enthusiasts, brace yourselves. Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy S26 series is poised for an official unveiling next month, with whispers of innovative features like a privacy display and AI-powered scam detection making waves. According to industry insiders, the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for late February 2026, marking a slight shift from Samsung's typical January timeline.
Release Date and Pricing Insights
Multiple leaks suggest the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra will debut on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, in San Francisco. Pre-orders are expected to commence the following day, with general availability set for Wednesday, 11 March 2026. Interestingly, Samsung appears to be avoiding Friday, 13 March due to superstition.
As for pricing, rumours indicate a potential increase in South Korea due to global memory cost hikes driven by the AI boom. However, reliable sources claim US prices will remain stable, with hopes that the UK market will follow suit. If accurate, expect the Galaxy S26 to start at £799, the S26 Plus at £999, and the S26 Ultra at £1,249.
Design and Display Upgrades
Leaked renders from Samsung's One UI 8.5 source code reveal design tweaks across the lineup. The Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus are rumoured to feature a new vertical camera bar, reminiscent of recent iPhone models, replacing the floating-style array. Display sizes are set for minor increases, with the base model reportedly boasting a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED screen.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, however, steals the spotlight with a slimmer frame and a potential privacy display feature. This innovation, discovered in internal builds, dims the screen when viewed from angles, safeguarding sensitive content. Additionally, the Ultra model may switch from titanium to aluminium for improved thermal performance and reduced weight.
Performance and Specs Breakdown
Under the hood, the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus are expected to house Samsung's Exynos 2600 chipset, while the S26 Ultra will likely utilise Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Early reports suggest the Exynos chip could outperform competitors in NPU and GPU capabilities.
A standout rumour is the inclusion of AI scam detection, a feature currently exclusive to Google's Pixel range. This tool analyses incoming calls and texts from unknown numbers, flagging potential scams to enhance user security.
Camera and Battery Enhancements
Camera upgrades appear focused on the Ultra model, with leaks pointing to a wider aperture for the 200MP main sensor and improved light capture for the telephoto lens. The standard and Plus models may rely on software enhancements rather than hardware changes.
Battery life sees modest boosts, with the Galaxy S26 rumoured to pack a 4,300mAh battery and the S26 Ultra a 5,200mAh cell. Charging speeds are also set to improve, with the Ultra model potentially supporting 60W wired charging and all models featuring Qi2 wireless compatibility.
While these rumours paint a detailed picture, Samsung has a history of surprises, so stay tuned for the official reveal next month.
