Samsung’s next flagship phones may be closer than many expect, and leaks about the Galaxy S26 series are already painting quite a detailed picture. Tipped to launch in late February, early reports are now talking about possible price changes, visual design tweaks, camera upgrades, and some long-awaited improvements in charging and battery life, especially on the Galaxy S26 Ultra models. Here’s everything you need to know about Samsung’s upcoming flagship phone.

Samsung Galaxy S26, S26 Ultra launching soon: Design, price, camera, battery and more leaked

Samsung Galaxy S26 series: Launch date, Korea, India, US price details leaked

According to reports from South Korea, Samsung may unveil the Galaxy S26 lineup at an event in San Francisco next month, possibly on February 25. Although the company has not officially confirmed anything, multiple leaks suggest that the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra are entering the final stages before launch. Pricing details for Samsung’s home market have already been revealed, indicating that this year’s flagships may not be as affordable as their predecessors.

A report by Korean outlet FN News claims that Samsung is planning to increase prices in South Korea. The base 256GB variant of the Galaxy S26 series may see a price increase of around KRW 44,000 to KRW 88,000 compared to the Galaxy S25 lineup. For reference, the Galaxy S25 launched at KRW 1,155,000, the S25 Plus at KRW 1,353,000, and the S25 Ultra at KRW 1,698,400. Even a small jump within that range would be noticeable, especially since Samsung has tried to avoid massive increases over the past few years.

Interestingly, the same report suggests that Samsung may not implement these higher prices everywhere at launch. In markets like the US, the Galaxy S26 series may start at familiar price points, around $800 for the S26, $1,000 for the S26 Plus, and $1,300 for the S26 Ultra. However, these prices may be tied to initial launch offers, and it is unclear how long they will last or which other regions may benefit from similar deals.

India-specific pricing is still a question mark. The Galaxy S25 series is priced starting at Rs 80,999 for the base model, Rs 99,999 for the S25 Plus, and Rs 1,29,999 for the S25 Ultra. Last year, Samsung left the prices of the Plus and Ultra unchanged compared to the Galaxy S24, while the base model saw only a slight increase. With the Galaxy S26 Ultra expected to bring several hardware upgrades, a price hike in India would not be surprising, although Samsung has often tried to keep its flagship phones cheaper than Apple’s Pro iPhones.

The reason behind the potential price increase is largely linked to rising component costs. Memory prices have risen rapidly, with reports claiming that the price of 12GB LPDDR5X RAM has more than doubled in a year and could rise further. NAND storage prices are also rising. Additionally, the Korean won has weakened against the US dollar, increasing the cost of imported parts. Samsung reportedly spent a record KRW 11 trillion on smartphone chipsets in the second half of last year, with most of it paid to Qualcomm.

Change in chipset, display?

Despite this, Samsung is expected to continue using Snapdragon processors for most Galaxy S26 models globally. The leak suggests that the base Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus may use the new Exynos 2600 chip in select markets, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra worldwide will rely solely on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is claimed to be 20 percent faster and 35 percent more energy efficient than its predecessor. A special “For Galaxy” edition may also be in the works, paired with up to 10.7GBps of faster LPDDR5X RAM, which should help with tasks like AI processing and faster camera response.

Most of the excitement so far revolves around the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Tipster @TheGalox_ claims that Samsung will introduce a new M14 OLED display in the phone, which could be 20 to 30 percent more power efficient than the panel used on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung is said to be focusing on better real-world battery life rather than chasing higher peak brightness. Also expected is a built-in privacy feature that limits the viewing angle, making it harder for others to view your screen in public. The company is also said to be using a 10-bit panel instead of the 8-bit screen seen in previous models, which should help present content with better colors and contrast.

Camera upgrade?

Camera changes are another big talking point. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is likely to get wider apertures on both the main and 5x telephoto cameras. The main lens can shift to f/1.4, while the telephoto can shift to f/2.9. These changes should let more light into the sensor, which will help with low-light photos. Improved lens coatings are also expected to reduce glare and color issues. On the front, Samsung may switch to a wider 22mm selfie camera, which will make it easier to take group selfies.

It is also being said that Samsung is giving users more control over image processing. The new Camera Assistant options on One UI 8.5 may allow users to reduce the sharpened look that some people associate with Samsung photos. Video recording may also get adjustable autofocus speed, allowing users to choose between quick focus changes or smooth, cinematic transitions.

For the base Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus, the camera hardware is expected to remain familiar, with a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. However, Samsung may add a new 24MP shooting option via software, which tipster Ice Universe says will be exclusive to the S26 series.

battery is charging

Charging is another area where Samsung may finally catch up with rivals. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is said to support 60W wired fast charging, up from 45W on the S25 Ultra. If accurate, the phone can reach 50 percent charge in less than 15 minutes. Fast wireless charging and proper Qi2 support are also expected on the S26 series.

The battery capacity may finally expand beyond the long-standing 5,000mAh limit. The leak suggests that the Galaxy S26 Ultra may have a battery between 5,100mAh and 5,400mAh, while still managing a slim body of around 7.9mm thick. The base Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus are expected to come with 4,300mAh and 4,900mAh batteries respectively.

With the expected launch still a few weeks away, the remaining gaps are likely to be filled with more leaks. The big question now is whether Samsung will bear the rising cost or pass it on to buyers and how the Indian pricing will fare once the Galaxy S26 series goes official.