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Note: <\/i><\/b>This feature was first published on 4 February 2026.<\/i><\/p>\nSamsung Galaxy S26 rumour round-up<\/h2>\n
After a strong showing from the Galaxy S25 series last year, attention is now turning to what Samsung has planned for the Galaxy S26 lineup. In this round-up, we have a closer look at the rumoured upgrades and design changes expected for Samsung\u2019s next flagship phones. Word on the street is that Samsung will officially announce these phones later this month, so we won\u2019t have to wait long to find out if these rumours are correct.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nContents<\/p>\n
<\/svg><\/button><\/p>\n\n1. Samsung Galaxy S26 rumour round-up<\/li>\n 2. A \u201cnew\u201d camera bump design<\/li>\n 3. The demise of the \u201cEdge\u201d model<\/li>\n 4. Return of Exynos chips?<\/li>\n 5. Display privacy feature<\/li>\n 6. Silicon-carbon battery technology<\/li>\n 7. Variable aperture lens could make a comeback<\/li>\n 8. Impact of the AI boom on Galaxy S26 prices<\/li>\n 9. Launch event, pre-order and retail availability<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\nA \u201cnew\u201d camera bump design<\/h2>\n\nThe Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 dummy units with the \u201cnew\u201d camera bump design. Photo: @OnLeaks<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Samsung introduced a more uniform design language with the Galaxy S23 series, ditching the Contour Cut camera on the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ in favour of individual camera cut-outs on the rear.<\/p>\n
This time around, the company is reportedly planning another visual refresh. Based on leaked dummy units and renders, the Galaxy S26 series could feature individual camera cutouts within an oval-shaped camera island.<\/p>\n
If the design looks familiar, that\u2019s likely intentional. The Galaxy S26 lineup appears to be drawing inspiration from the Galaxy Z Fold foldables, which have featured a similar oval-shaped camera bump since 2021.<\/p>\n
The demise of the \u201cEdge\u201d model<\/h2>\n\nPoor sales of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (pictured here) could have forced Samsung to drop plans for a successor. Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
While 2025 marked the return of ultra-thin smartphones, sales of these models \u2013 including the Galaxy S25 Edge \u2013 reportedly fell short of expectations. Estimates suggest that just 190,000 units of the Galaxy S25 Edge were sold in its first month. If it\u2019s any consolation, sales of the ultra-thin iPhone Air from rivals Apple hasn\u2019t been too hot either.<\/p>\n
Initially rumoured to serve as a test bed for the Galaxy S26 series and potentially replace the Plus variant, recent reports indicate that Samsung has scrapped plans for a Galaxy S26 Edge altogether. <\/p>\n
Return of Exynos chips?<\/h2>\n\nThe Samsung Exynos 2600 is the world\u2019s first 2nm mobile chip. Photo: Samsung<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Samsung\u2019s chip strategy for the Galaxy S flagship has varied over the years. While the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S25 series are powered entirely by Qualcomm processors, the Galaxy S24 series adopts a split approach by using both Exynos and Qualcomm chips. <\/p>\n
According to a tipster, Samsung is planning to significantly increase the use of Exynos chips<\/b> across the Galaxy S26 series. The company recently unveiled the Exynos 2600, which is widely seen as the leading candidate to power some Galaxy S26 models.<\/p>\n
Since the Exynos 2600 lacks an integrated modem, it is likely to be accompanied by the new Exynos Modem 5410. The new modem is stated to deliver lower standby power consumption and improved efficiency. <\/p>\n