WEB DESK: With the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy S25 lineup already making waves this year, Samsung has shifted attention to its next big launch, the Galaxy S26 series.
While the official release date is yet to be announced, the pattern of recent launches gives us a fairly good idea of when the phones might arrive, alongside several rumours that are shaping expectations for the upcoming flagship.
Release date and launch event
Samsung usually unveils its Galaxy S series during the first quarter of the year, slotting the event neatly between CES in January and MWC in late February. The Galaxy S25 was announced on January 22, 2025, while the Galaxy S24 appeared on January 17, 2024.
If Samsung follows the same playbook, the Galaxy S26 release date is likely to fall around the last two weeks of January 2026, with global sales expected to begin two weeks after the Unpacked event. The company’s strategy has long been to dominate headlines at the start of the year, and that trend seems set to continue.
Thinner design, bigger batteries?
Design rumours suggest that all Galaxy S26 models will be thinner than their predecessors. Popular tipster @kro_roe claims the S26, S26 Edge and S26 Ultra will all sport a slimmer profile, though not quite as thin as the Galaxy S25 Edge. The aim appears to be better grip and a sleeker feel in the hand.
The challenge, however, is how Samsung will balance this thinness with the talk of larger batteries. Some reports hint at a switch to silicon-carbon battery technology, which could push capacity up to 7,000mAh without adding bulk. Still, conflicting leaks around the Ultra’s battery leave room for doubt.
Possible lineup shakeup
Another talking point is the possibility of changes to the lineup itself. Some insiders believe the “Plus” model could be retired, replaced by a “Pro” variant or folded into the Edge series. Samsung has reportedly not finalised this decision yet, but the shift signals that the brand is willing to rework its strategy to keep the series fresh.
Performance and software upgrades
Benchmark listings have already revealed that the Galaxy S26 Edge will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chip in the US, paired with 12GB of RAM and Android 16 running One UI 8.
Early tests show the phone outperforming the iPhone 16 Pro Max in multi-core scores, with potential to push even further when the chip is fully optimised. GPU performance is also expected to give Samsung the edge against Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 series.
On the software side, Galaxy AI will play a more central role, with speculation that Samsung could open support for third-party AI assistants, broadening the ecosystem beyond Bixby and Google Gemini.
Price expectations
When it comes to pricing, early estimates suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S26 in Pakistan may start around Rs360,000 for the PTA-approved base model, while the top-end Ultra could climb as high as Rs650,000. These figures remain speculative, as final details on pricing and variants are expected closer to January 2026.