The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 is already generating buzz, with leaks and rumors hinting at significant upgrades across the board. This article rounds up the most credible speculations so far—from faster charging and next-gen AI features to camera improvements and hardware enhancements.
Reports from South Korean media, Money Today, suggest Samsung will officially launch the Galaxy S26 on February 25, 2026, with devices expected to hit stores and demo units becoming available by early March.
Predicted Galaxy S26 Models (No S26 Edge)
According to multiple reports, Samsung originally planned to shake up its Galaxy S lineup by replacing the standard model with a “Pro” version, while positioning the successor to the Galaxy S25 Edge as a replacement for the Galaxy S26 Plus.
However, due to weaker-than-expected market demand for ultra-thin smartphones, Samsung is now said to have reversed course and decided to stick with its more familiar lineup: the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. This last-minute change reportedly disrupted Samsung’s internal launch roadmap, ultimately contributing to a delay in the release timeline of the Galaxy S26 series.
Charging Upgrades: What to Expect from the Galaxy S26
Charging has long been one of the most debated limitations of Samsung’s Galaxy S series, especially when compared to rivals pushing increasingly aggressive fast-charging technologies.
With the Galaxy S26 generation, however, Samsung may finally be preparing a meaningful shift. Recent leaks suggest improvements on both the wired and wireless fronts, signaling a broader effort to modernize everyday charging convenience—particularly for power users.
* The image shown is of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, not the Galaxy S26
Faster Wired Charging
For years, Samsung has taken a notably conservative approach to wired charging speeds, prioritizing battery longevity over headline-grabbing numbers. That strategy may finally be evolving—at least for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
According to leaked specifications, the Ultra model is expected to support up to 60W wired charging, marking a clear step forward from previous generations. While real-world charging times may not double overnight, this increase could significantly reduce top-up times for users who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day.
Qi2 Wireless Charging and Magnetic Accessories
Wireless charging could see even more noticeable changes with the Galaxy S26 lineup. While recent Galaxy models support the Qi2 standard, the lack of built-in magnetic alignment has limited the overall experience, often requiring third-party cases to unlock its full potential.
With the S26 series, leaks point to expanded support for Qi2—including faster wireless charging speeds of up to 25W on select models. More importantly, Samsung is rumored to be investing more heavily in magnetic charging accessories, potentially offering official magnet-enabled solutions across the entire S26 lineup rather than reserving them for a single flagship model.
AI Upgrades Could Define the Galaxy S26
AI is expected to become a core part of the Galaxy S26 experience, extending beyond simple assistants to influence search, voice control, privacy, and system-level interactions. Recent leaks suggest Samsung is rethinking how AI fits into everyday smartphone use with this generation.
* The image shown is of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, not the Galaxy S26
Smarter AI Assistants and Search
Google’s Gemini remains central to Galaxy AI, but Samsung is reportedly exploring broader AI integrations. Sources suggest the company is in talks to bring Perplexity’s AI-powered search to the Galaxy S26, potentially as a pre-installed feature and directly integrated into Samsung’s internet browser.
There are also indications that Samsung is testing Perplexity-powered enhancements for Bixby, which may arrive with One UI 8.5. If implemented, this could make Bixby more responsive and context-aware than previous versions.
AI-Driven Privacy Display Technology
Another notable rumor centers on a display feature for the Galaxy S26 Ultra known as “Magic Flex Pixel.” Unlike traditional privacy screens that reduce brightness or viewing angles, this technology is said to manage visibility at the pixel level, helping protect on-screen content without compromising image quality.
If accurate, this would offer a more seamless and built-in approach to screen privacy—one that many users are eager to see in real-world use.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Specs Point to a Noticeable Performance Boost
According to leaked Geekbench listings, Samsung is expected to equip its next flagship with a customized version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. This overclocked variant reportedly maintains a dual-cluster CPU design, with the primary core running at a higher peak frequency than its predecessor.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra (model SM-S948U) is said to achieve impressive scores of 3,466 in single-core and 11,035 in multi-core Geekbench tests. With further software tuning and system-level optimization, real-world performance and power efficiency could improve even more by the time the device officially launches.
Rumored Galaxy S26 Ultra Specs
- Display：6.9 inches
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Exynos 2600
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
- Rear cameras: 200MP main (f/1.4), 50MP ultrawide, 12MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 5,000 mAh
- Charging: 60W
Camera Upgrades Aim for More Natural Photos
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to deliver meaningful camera improvements focused on image quality rather than sheer megapixel counts. Leaks suggest that Samsung is pairing its 200MP main sensor with a wider aperture, alongside a brighter telephoto lens. These changes would allow more light to reach the sensors, helping reduce noise and motion blur—especially in low-light or night photography—while improving overall image clarity.
Beyond hardware, Samsung is also expected to refine its image processing. According to trusted sources, the Galaxy S26 series may shift toward a more natural color profile, dialing back the aggressive saturation and heavy skin smoothing seen in previous generations. If accurate, this could result in more realistic skin tones and balanced colors, making photos look closer to how scenes appear in real life.
* The image shown is of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, not the Galaxy S26
Choosing the Right PITAKA Case for the Galaxy S26 Series
As the Galaxy S26 lineup takes shape, choosing a case that complements both its design and everyday performance will matter more than ever. PITAKA will continue to offer its most popular aramid fiber designs—including the Classic, Sunset · Moonrise, and StarPeak series—giving users a balance of minimalist protection and distinctive style.
At the same time, new colorways are expected to join the lineup to match Samsung’s latest design direction. Rumors suggest that the Galaxy S26 Ultra may debut in a bold orange finish, a trend already seen in other flagship devices (iPhone 17 Pro Series). PITAKA plans to introduce updated case designs that pair naturally with these new colors, allowing users to protect their device without covering up its personality.
Exciting news for all Samsung Galaxy S26 future owners—we’re ready when you are! As soon as the S26 hits the market, our full lineup of premium Samsung S26 cases will be available to help you protect your new device in style.
PITAKA Classic Series Cases
* The image shown is of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, not the Galaxy S26
PITAKA Sunset · Moonrise Series Cases
* The image shown is of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, not the Galaxy S26
PITAKA StarPeak Series Cases
* The image shown is of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, not the Galaxy S26
Summary
The Galaxy S26 series is rumored to bring meaningful upgrades across charging, AI, camera performance, and overall speed—focusing more on real-world usability than flashy specs.
As launch approaches, the right accessories will play a key role in completing the Galaxy S26 experience.
