Samsung Galaxy S26
2026 flagship smartphones by Samsung Electronics
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The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a series of flagship Android-based smartphones manufactured, developed, and marketed by Samsung Electronics as part of its flagship Galaxy S series. They collectively serve as the successor to the Galaxy S25 series released in 2025. The S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra were announced on February 25, 2026, at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, alongside the Galaxy Buds 4 series, and were released on March 11, 2026,[1][2][3][4] while the Galaxy S26 FE was announced on August 27, 2026, and was subsequently released on September 4, 2026.[5][6]
| |
 Samsung Galaxy S26 series | |
| Brand | Samsung |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Samsung Electronics |
| Type | Smartphone |
Series | Galaxy S |
| Family | Samsung Galaxy |
First released | S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra: March 11, 2026 S26 FE: September 4, 2026 |
Availability by region | S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra: March 11, 2026 S26 FE: September 4, 2026 |
| Predecessor | Samsung Galaxy S25 |
| Related | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 |
| GSM CDMA 2G, HSDPA CDMA2000 3G, 4G LTE, 5G | |
| Slate | |
| Colors |
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| Dimensions | S26: H: 149.6 mm (5.89 in), W: 71.7 mm (2.82 in), D: 7.2 mm (0.28 in) S26+: H: 158.4 mm (6.24 in), W: 75.8 mm (2.98 in), D: 7.3 mm (0.29 in) S26 Ultra: H: 163.6 mm (6.44 in), W: 78.1 mm (3.07 in), D: 7.9 mm (0.31 in) S26 FE: H: 161.6 mm (6.36 in), W: 76.9 mm (3.03 in), D: 7.4 mm (0.29 in) |
| Weight | S26: 167 g (5.9 oz) S26+: 190 g (6.7 oz) S26 Ultra: 214 g (7.5 oz) S26 FE: 193 g (6.8 oz) |
| Original: All except S26 FE: Android 16 with One UI 8.5 S26 FE: Android 17 with One UI 9.0 Current: All: Android 17 with One UI 9.0 | |
| S26 & S26+ (US, China) & S26 Ultra: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) S26 & S26+ (Worldwide): Samsung Exynos 2600 (2 nm) S26 FE: Samsung Exynos 2500 | |
| GPU | S26 & S26+ (US, China) & S26 Ultra (Worldwide): Adreno 840 S26 & S26+ (Worldwide): Xclipse 960 S26 FE: Adreno 840 |
| Storage | S26 & S26+: 256, 512 GB S26 Ultra: 256, 512 GB, 1 TB S26 FE: 128, 256, 512 GB UFS 4.0 |
| Battery | S26: 4300 mAh S26+, S26 FE: 4900 mAh S26 Ultra: 5000 mAh |
| Charging | S26: 25W Super Fast Charging 15W Fast Wireless Charging S26+: 45W Super Fast Charging 20W Fast Wireless Charging S26 Ultra: 60W Super Fast Charging 25W Fast Wireless Charging S26 FE: Super fast charging 2.0 at 45W All: Qi2 wireless charging at up to 15W Reverse charging at 4.5W (wired and wireless) All: 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, NFC |
| Data inputs | S Pen (S26 Ultra) |
| Website | Galaxy S26 & S26+ Galaxy S26 Ultra Galaxy S26 FE |
The Galaxy S26 series were an evolution of the prior year's series, with upgraded hardware and design refinements. Succeeding the S25, S25+, S25 Ultra and S25 Edge respectively, the S26 was produced in a standard model with a display size of 6.3-inch (160 mm), the S26+ has a larger 6.7 in (170 mm) display and the S26 Ultra has a larger 6.9 in (170 mm) display. The latter still has the S Pen and its dedicated slot, but introduces a new hardware-level technology called the Privacy Display, the first smartphone in the world to have a feature that decreases screen visibility from certain angles for enhanced privacy.[7][8]
History
Galaxy S26
Before its official announcement, rumors about the Galaxy S26 began to surface as early as July 2025, where it would be produced in three different versions: a Galaxy S26 Pro, an S26 Edge, and an S26 Ultra.[9][10][11] First builds of One UI 8.5 based on Android 16 for the Galaxy S26 series were also spotted.[12]
In October 2025, it was reported that Samsung had cancelled development of the Galaxy S26 Edge due to poor sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge.[13][14][15] Reports also confirm that the Galaxy S26 Pro would be known as the standard Galaxy S26,[16][17] while the Galaxy S26+ would launch next year.[18][15][19] Soon after, reports suggested that the Galaxy S26 launch would be delayed due to the cancellation of the S26 Edge, along with development issues with the line-up.[20][21][22]
In November 2025, reports confirm that the Galaxy S26 series would be unveiled on February 25, 2026, in San Francisco.[23][24] In January 2026, reports suggested that the Galaxy S26 series would be available on March 11, 2026.[25] In addition, renders of the supposed devices, alongside alleged specs, were also reported.[26] A week before its launch, a picture was posted showing the actual Galaxy S26+ that was listed for sale on Craigslist.[27]
The Galaxy S26 series were announced during the Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 25, 2026, with its introduction of a Privacy Display, along with 60W Super Fast Charging 3.0 and a slightly thinner build on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It is currently the thinnest Ultra Samsung has made on its S-series[1][7][8] Pre-orders began on that same day and were made available on March 11, 2026, in multiple countries.[1][28]
Galaxy S26 FE
Development of the Galaxy S26 FE began shortly after the announcement of the Galaxy S26 series, with first signs of the S26 FE's existence were surfaced in the GSMA database in March 2026.[29] In May 2026, first builds of One UI 9 for the Galaxy S26 FE were spotted, suggesting that the device would be shipped with Android 17 and One UI 9.[30] In June 2026, A picture was posted showing the actual Galaxy S26 FE ahead of its unveiling,[31][32][33] along with early wallpapers for the phone soon after.[34][35]
In late-July 2026, Samsung confirms the existence of the Galaxy S26 FE in its quarterly earnings call.[36][37][38] The charging speed for the phone was confirmed via a UL Demko listing,[39][40] and camera specs for the phone were also leaked with the codename "r14".[41][42]
In August 2026, reports confirm that the Galaxy S26 FE would be unveiled on September 4, 2026.[43][44] In addition, firmware for the S26 FE, as well as color options for the phone and renders of the supposed devices were revealed ahead of launch.[a] The S26 FE was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that same month.[49][50] A video was posted showing a real Galaxy S26 FE with a redesigned camera island,[51][52] and marketing images for the phone were revealed ahead of launch.[53][54] References to the Galaxy S26 FE was mentioned in a terms and conditions documentation for Samsung Care+.[55]
On August 19, 2026, invitations to Galaxy Unpacked was sent to media outlets with the teaser saying "August 27, 2026", which the company did not explain the subject of the event, but it was widely expected to announce the Galaxy S26 FE.[56][57][58]
On August 27, 2026, during the Galaxy Event, the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE was announced, which was the newest addition to the Galaxy S26 family, and it serves as the successor to the Galaxy S25 FE.[5][6]
Line-up
The Galaxy S26 series currently includes four models: the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, Galaxy S26 FE and the Galaxy S26 Ultra.[59][5]
Dimensions
The Galaxy S26 features a flat 6.3 in (160 mm) display (a slight increase from its predecessor). The Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra offer similar internal hardware and screen sizes to its predecessor, at 6.7 in (170 mm) and 6.9 in (180 mm), respectively.[60]
Performance
The Galaxy S26 series (except for the S26 FE) reintroduces chipset split: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy powers the S26 and S26+ in North America, China, and Japan, while the Exynos 2600 for the rest of the global markets. The S26 Ultra, however, will use the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset as standard worldwide.[62]
The Galaxy S26 FE uses the Exynos 2500 chipset worldwide (which was first used on the Galaxy Z Flip 7).[63]
Design
The S26, S26+, and S26 FE smartphones continue to have an aluminum body and a glass back, similar to the design of their predecessors. The S26, S26+, and S26 FE use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for both the front display and rear glass panels.[64][65][66]
The S26 Ultra reverts to an aluminium frame (which was last used on the Galaxy S23), but still features a glass back;[67] however, the phone now features more rounded corners.[68] It still has the Gorilla Glass Armor 2 for its front display and rear panel.[69]
| Model | Galaxy S26 FE | Galaxy S26 and S26+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base colors |
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| |
| Online exclusive colors | N/a |
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Specifications
Display
The Galaxy S26 series features a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display across all models with HDR10+ support and a 120 Hz refresh rate, reaching up to 2600 nits. Each device also includes an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor. The S26 Ultra uses Corning’s Gorilla Armor 2 protection on the front, while the S26, S26+, and S26 FE use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back panels.[66][65]
Privacy Display
The Galaxy S26 Ultra features the Privacy Display, a display technology developed and supplied by Samsung Display. The technology was originally developed under the name Flex Magic Pixel. When the feature is enabled in device settings, the viewing angle of the screen becomes significantly narrower, making the display difficult to see from the side while appearing normal to the user.[70]
The feature serves a similar purpose as external privacy screen protectors used to prevent others from viewing a phone screen in public places. However, unlike privacy films that add an additional polarizing layer on top of the display and may reduce brightness or clarity, Privacy Display is implemented at the panel level during manufacturing by selectively applying polarization to specific display elements.[71]
It can also be enabled or disabled through software as needed. The feature can be applied only to specific areas of the display, such as notification pop-ups, or to certain applications where privacy protection is needed.[72][73]
| Specification | Galaxy S26 FE | Galaxy S26 | Galaxy S26+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7 in (170 mm) | 6.3 in (160 mm) | 6.7 in (170 mm) | 6.9 in (175 mm) |
| Resolution | 2340×1080 | 3120×1440 | ||
| ProScaler | No | Yes | ||
| Density | ~385 ppi | ~411 ppi | ~516 ppi | ~500 ppi |
| Aspect Ratio | 19.5:9 | |||
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz / 120 Hz | 1 Hz to 120 Hz | ||
| Brightness | ~1900 nits | ~2600 nits | ||
| Panel | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) | |||
| Cover glass | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Gorilla Armor 2 | ||
| Privacy Display | No | Yes | ||
Camera
The Galaxy S26 and S26+ use a triple rear camera system consisting of a 50 MP wide‑angle main camera, a 12 MP ultrawide camera, and a 10 MP telephoto camera with 3× optical zoom, alongside a 12 MP front‑facing camera.[74] The camera hardware specifications are unchanged from the Galaxy S25 and S25+.[75][76]
The Galaxy S26 FE also use a triple rear camera system similar to its predecessor, consisting of a 50 MP wide‑angle main camera, a 12 MP ultrawide camera, and a 8 MP telephoto camera with 3× optical zoom, alongside a 12 MP front‑facing camera.[77]
The Galaxy S26 Ultra features a quad‑camera system comprising a 200 MP primary camera with an f/1.4 lens, a 50 MP ultrawide camera, a 10 MP 3× telephoto, and a 50 MP periscope telephoto with 5× optical zoom. Compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the primary camera aperture widens from f/1.7 to f/1.4, and the 5× telephoto aperture widens from f/3.4 to f/2.9.[78] The Galaxy S Ultra series introduces the new All Lens On Prism (ALoP) mechanism powering its 5× telephoto camera, instead of the traditional periscope lens found in previous models.[79][80]
On the software side, all models incorporate Samsung's ProVisual Engine for image processing and include a Horizon Lock option within the Super Steady video stabilization mode. Horizon Lock keeps the horizon level during video recording when the device is tilted or rotated, including rotations of up to 360 degrees. The mode supports recording at resolutions of up to 4K.[81][82][83] The Galaxy S26 FE also features the My FanCam feature, which was first debuted on the Galaxy Z Fold 8.[84]
| Camera Type | Galaxy S26 FE | Galaxy S26 | Galaxy S26+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 50 MP (f/1.8) | 200 MP (f/1.4) | ||
| Ultra-wide | 12 MP (120° FOV) |
50 MP (120° FOV) | ||
| Telephoto | 8 MP (3×) (f/2.4) | 10 MP (3×) (f/2.4) | ||
| Periscope telephoto | N/a | 50 MP (5×) (f/2.9) | ||
| Front camera | 12 MP (f/2.2) | |||
| Additional features | Sensor-size & pixel-binning Super Steady mode (with Horizon Lock) My FanCam |
Sensor-size & pixel-binning Super Steady mode (with Horizon Lock) |
Space Zoom (up to 100×) Sensor-size & pixel-binning Super Steady mode (with Horizon Lock) | |
| All models support 8K video recording at up to 30 fps. | ||||
Batteries
The Galaxy S26 models have similar battery capacities to the S25 series, except for the smallest model (which now has a slight increase of 300 mAh). For the first time in the series, each of the three devices now offer a distinct wired charging speed: the S26 supports up to 25 W, the S26+/S26 FE accepts 45 W, and the S26 Ultra arrives to 60 W, with the latter marking the highest wired charging speed ever featured on a Galaxy smartphone.[85][86][87][88]
All three support Qi2.2 inductive charging up to 25 W, and can charge other Qi-compatible devices wirelessly using battery power. Although the devices support Qi 2.2, they lack built-in magnets (required by the Qi standard), due to potential interference with the vertical camera array (on the three devices) and the S Pen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.[89][90][91]
Memory and storage
Like its predecessor, all Galaxy S26 models were launched with 12 GB of RAM (8 GB of RAM for S26 FE).[92] The Galaxy S26 now start at 256 GB, dropping the 128 GB option previously available.[93] The 1 TB version of the S26 Ultra has 16 GB of RAM, and is available worldwide.[1]
Connectivity
All models in the Galaxy S26 series, support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 7 (Wi-Fi 6E for S26 FE), Bluetooth 6.0 (5.4 for S26 FE and S26), NFC, and USB Type-C 3.2 (for the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra) for data transfer and charging. Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is supported only on the S26+ and S26 Ultra models.[95] For the first time since the Galaxy S10 Lite,[96] the Galaxy S26 FE uses an older USB Type-C 2.0 port.[97]
Software
The Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra came pre-installed with Android 16 and Samsung's custom One UI 8.5 software overlay and Samsung has promised 7 years of security patches and OS upgrades, which is similar to the previous flagships, the S24 and S25 series, eventually ceasing to receive updates in 2033,[98] while the S26 FE came pre-installed with Android 17 and Samsung's custom One UI 9 software overlay and it will receive updates also until 2033.[99]
| Pre-installed OS | OS upgrades history | End of support | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | |||
| S26 S26+ S26 Ultra |
Android 16 (One UI 8.5) |
Android 17 (One UI 9.0) September 2026[100] |
Within 2033[98] | ||||||
| S26 FE | Android 17 (One UI 9.0) |
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