Samsung Galaxy S26 Launch Rumours: Privacy Display, Specs & Release Date
The tech world is abuzz with anticipation as Samsung gears up for its next major smartphone unveiling. According to widespread industry leaks and insider reports, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, comprising the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra models, is poised for a launch next month. While the upcoming lineup is expected to be more iterative than revolutionary, several intriguing features and upgrades have surfaced, including a novel "privacy display" for the Ultra variant.
Expected Release Date and Launch Details
In a departure from recent tradition, Samsung is rumoured to be delaying its Galaxy S series launch this year. Multiple reliable sources, including the well-known leaker Ice Universe and South Korean outlets like Money Today, suggest that the Galaxy Unpacked event will take place on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, in San Francisco. This marks a shift from the January unveilings of the past two years.
The postponement is reportedly linked to Samsung's decision to discontinue the ultra-skinny Edge phone following disappointing sales. Production timelines have been adjusted accordingly, with mass production for the S26 and S26 Plus reportedly starting in January 2026, while the S26 Ultra began earlier. Pre-orders are expected to go live on 26 February, with the phones hitting shelves on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, avoiding the superstitious Friday the 13th.
Pricing Predictions and Market Impact
Amidst a global RAM shortage driven by the AI boom, there has been speculation about potential price increases for the Galaxy S26 series. Reports from Korean site Fnews indicate that prices might rise in Samsung's home market due to higher memory costs. However, a reliable leaker claimed on 17 January that starting prices in the US will remain unchanged, sparking hope for similar stability in the UK.
If these rumours hold true, UK consumers can expect the Samsung Galaxy S26 to start at around £799, the S26 Plus at £999, and the S26 Ultra at £1,249. This pricing strategy would align with Samsung's recent trends, avoiding significant hikes despite component cost pressures.
Design and Display Innovations
Leaked renders from Samsung's One UI 8.5 source code, discovered by Android Authority, provide a glimpse into the design evolution of the S26 series. The S26 and S26 Plus are expected to feature a redesigned camera array, moving from a floating-style setup to a vertical pill-shaped island reminiscent of the iPhone 17, housing three cameras with an additional sensor to the left.
Display sizes are set for minor tweaks, with the base S26 reportedly boasting a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED screen, up from 6.2 inches, while the Plus model retains a 6.7-inch display. The S26 Ultra, however, is rumoured to undergo more notable changes, including a slimmer frame and a potential shift from titanium to aluminium for improved thermal performance and reduced weight.
The most exciting display rumour centres on the S26 Ultra's "privacy display" feature. Internal builds of One UI 8.5, as reported by SammyGuru, include an animated explainer showing how the screen remains clear when viewed head-on but dims automatically from angles, enhancing privacy in public settings. This feature is expected to be accessible via Quick Settings and app-based automation.
Performance and Specifications
Under the hood, the Galaxy S26 series is anticipated to feature a split chipset strategy. According to leaks from ITHome, the S26 and S26 Plus will likely be powered by Samsung's new Exynos 2600 chipset, while the S26 Ultra will utilise Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Despite this disparity, early reports suggest the Exynos 2600 could offer impressive performance, with claims of six times the NPU performance of Apple's A19 Pro chip and a 29% GPU advantage over the Snapdragon variant.
Battery life is also set for upgrades, with tipster Ahmed Qwaider predicting a 4,300mAh battery for the base S26 and a 5,200mAh unit for the Ultra model, alongside 60W wired charging for faster top-ups. All models are expected to support Qi2 wireless charging with built-in magnets for improved alignment and speeds up to 25W for the Ultra.
Camera Capabilities and Enhancements
Camera upgrades in the S26 series appear focused primarily on the Ultra model. While the S26 and S26 Plus are rumoured to retain similar hardware, relying on software improvements, the S26 Ultra could see significant optical enhancements. Leaks suggest a wider f/1.4 aperture for the 200MP main camera and a brighter f/2.9 aperture for the 5x 50MP telephoto lens, potentially boosting low-light performance and long-distance photography.
The entire lineup is expected to share a 10MP 3x telephoto camera, maintaining consistency across models but highlighting Samsung's incremental approach to hardware updates in this generation.
As the launch date approaches, these rumours paint a picture of a refined yet cautious update from Samsung, with the S26 Ultra standing out as the flagship innovator. Tech enthusiasts and Samsung fans alike will be watching closely for official confirmations as February unfolds.
