Samsung is prioritizing keeping the Galaxy S26 prices steady over increasing battery size and slimness. The base model is expected to launch at $799, same as the previous generation.
Galaxy S26 focuses on pricing
Base model expected at $799
Thickness target lowered to 6.9 mm
Battery size reduced to 4,300 mAh
Affordability over radical design
Rumored release in February 2026
The Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup continues to attract attention as the S26 series pricing strategy focuses on maintaining affordability while still delivering key upgrades across display quality, battery improvements, and camera performance. This Samsung Galaxy s26 series early 2026 launch highlights Samsung’s plan to refine practical launch features rather than chase extreme design changes. As the series early 2026 window approaches, the company aims to position the Galaxy S26 family as a balanced upgrade with meaningful 2026 launch features for everyday users.
Pricing Strategy and Model Restructuring Reflect Market Realities
Samsung aims to keep the base Galaxy S26 priced at $799, consistent with last year’s Galaxy S25 and Apple’s iPhone 17 base price, prioritizing affordability amid rising component costs. The ultra-slim Galaxy S26 Edge model has been canceled and replaced by the Galaxy S26 Plus, reflecting a market move away from ultra-thin phones.[1][11][12]
Galaxy S26 Base: Approximately 7.24 mm thick, with a 4,300 mAh battery.
Galaxy S26 Plus: 7.35 mm thick, with a 4,900 mAh battery, replacing the Edge.
Galaxy S26 Ultra: Slightly larger at 7.9 mm thickness, housing a 5,000 mAh battery.
Model
Display Size
Battery (mAh)
Thickness (mm)
Chipset
Base Price
Galaxy S26
6.3″ AMOLED
4,300
7.24
Exynos 2600 / US Snapdragon
$799
Galaxy S26 Plus
6.7″ AMOLED
4,900
7.35
Exynos 2600 / US Snapdragon
TBD
Galaxy S26 Ultra
6.9″ AMOLED
5,000
7.9
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
TBD
Display and Charging Features Increase User Experience
The Galaxy S26 offers a 6.3-inch AMOLED screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate.
The Plus model features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display at 120 Hz.
Both base and Plus support 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.
All models maintain IP68 dust and water resistance.[2][1]
Enhanced Camera Systems Provide Significant Upgrades
Both Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus include a 50 MP Samsung ISOCELL S5KGNG main sensor, a 12 MP telephoto sensor (Samsung ISOCELL S5K3LD), and a 12 MP ultra-wide Sony IMX564 sensor.[1]
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is equipped with a 200 MP Samsung HP2 sensor, a 50 MP ultra-wide JN3, and a 50 MP Sony IMX854 periscope telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom.[5][1]
The Ultra introduces 24 MP default photo resolution via a Camera Assistant app with advanced manual overrides.[1]
Dual Chipset Strategy Balances Performance and Efficiency
Samsung continues using the Exynos 2600 chipset (3 nm) globally for base and Plus models, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset powers U.S. models and the Ultra worldwide. This approach provides optimized performance across regions, balancing power and cost.[3][1]
Software Advancements and Memory Improvements
The Galaxy S26 series ships with Android 16 and Samsung’s One UI 8.5, integrating AI features for camera enhancements and multitasking. Faster 12 GB RAM across models boosts responsiveness and future-proofs the devices.[13][1]
Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. L. Fischer earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media.
Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society.
Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI.
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SamMobile.com is a dedicated online community and news source for all things Samsung, providing the latest news, reviews, firmware downloads, tutorials, and discussions for Samsung mobile devices. It serves as a platform for both news and community engagement, offering a wide range of content from product launches to technical solutions and community-shared tips.
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She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior.
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