Samsung is expected to unveil its Galaxy S26 series on Feb. 25. While the Galaxy S26 Ultra will likely draw the most attention, the standard base model — the Galaxy S26 — also has significant interest. Leaks suggest Samsung has dialed back some potential upgrades for the base Galaxy S26, likely to keep its pricing competitive against the iPhone 17, which maintained its entry price despite enhancements like 256GB base storage.
Here's what we know so far about the base Galaxy S26, including expected specs, features, and pricing.
Design
Design-wise, the Galaxy S26 is unlikely to feature major visual changes and may look very similar to the S25. Possible minor tweaks include a redesigned pill-shaped camera module, slimmer bezels, rounder corners, and perhaps titanium frames for added durability.
Camera
The rear camera setup in the Galaxy S26 is rumoured to carry over the same sensors from the Galaxy S25: a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto. Overall camera quality might still see gains through improved supporting hardware and enhanced image processing powered by advanced chipsets.
Processor, RAM, Storage
The Galaxy S26 will likely ship with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset (in global markets) or the Exynos 2600 (in select regions) under its hood. Performance should improve with the new chipset options and a standard 12GB of RAM. Another expected shift involves dropping the 128GB storage tier that appeared on the Galaxy S25, with 256GB potentially becoming the new starting option to align with competitors like the iPhone 17. The device will run One UI 8, built on Android 16, incorporating enhanced Galaxy AI features.
Battery And Charging
Battery capacity in the Galaxy S26 is expected to rise to 4,300mAh, from 4,000mAh in the S25, offering a 300mAh increase that could translate to better battery life. Charging may add support for Qi2 magnetic wireless charging at 15W, while wired charging is likely to remain at 25W.
Display
The device's display is anticipated to be a 6.3-inch Dynamic Amoled panel, with peak brightness potentially reaching up to 3,000 nits and a max refresh rate of 120Hz. Efficiency and anti-glare properties could enhance from an upgraded M14 panel material.
Pricing
Due to increasing component costs, reports indicate a possible price rise for the base Galaxy S26 in markets like Korea. However, Samsung may hold the line at the same starting price in the U.S. and U.K. to improve global sales. Notably, the price for the Galaxy S25 starts at $799.
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