Samsung may unveil Galaxy S26 series in January with upgraded cameras and battery

Samsung Galaxy S26 series launch expected with upgraded cameras, chipsets and battery.

The launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series might happen earlier than expected. Initial reports suggested a March release, then February 25 was mentioned, and now a new leak claims the phones could be announced in late January.

Samsung insider revealed that the phones will ship in mid-February, which supports a late January announcement. The Galaxy S25 series also shipped about two weeks after its reveal, so a similar schedule this year seems likely.

Even though this new timeline sounds possible, earlier leaks suggested a late February or even March release, so this rumor should still be taken cautiously.

Chipset Split

The report also states that only the Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The regular Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus are expected to use Samsung’s Exynos 2600 chipset. Samsung often mixes Exynos and Snapdragon chips, but it’s unclear whether this will apply worldwide. The US usually gets Snapdragon models, so that may continue.

Exynos vs Snapdragon Performance

Exynos versions are usually slightly less powerful, but this year may be different. Some reports suggest the Exynos 2600 could match or even surpass the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. If true, users in regions that get Exynos models might not face any disadvantage.

Camera Improvements

The phones are rumored to include new 12MP telephoto cameras, upgraded from the previous 10MP ones, while keeping the same 12MP ultra-wide cameras as the Galaxy S25 series.

Battery Upgrades

Battery sizes may also improve. The Galaxy S26 might get a 4,300mAh battery, while the Galaxy S26 Plus may keep its 4,900mAh size. This would still be an upgrade for the base model, which had a 4,000mAh battery in the Galaxy S25.

What to Expect

These details remain unconfirmed, though some camera rumors have appeared before. Official information is expected in early 2026, or possibly sooner if the earlier launch date is accurate.