Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Leaks: Why You Should Wait Until Feb 25

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series: The “Slim” Model, 2nm Chip & MWC Launch Date.

The Galaxy S26 is breaking tradition. With a delayed launch to Feb 2026 and a new “S26 Slim” model, is Samsung finally reinventing the wheel? Here is every leak you need to know.

The “Unpacked” Mystery

Usually, January is “Galaxy Month.” For the last 5 years, Samsung has launched its flagship S-series right after New Year’s. But this year, the invites haven’t gone out.

The rumor mill is buzzing, and the news is big: Samsung is delaying the S26 launch to late February 2026 (likely MWC Barcelona).

Why the delay? Two words: “Slim” and “Silicon.”

Samsung isn’t just giving us a spec bump this year; they are reportedly restructuring the entire lineup to fight the iPhone 17 Air. If you are holding an S23 Ultra or S24 Ultra and wondering if it’s time to upgrade, read this before you make a move.

1. The New Lineup: Goodbye “Plus”, Hello “Slim”?

The biggest leak comes from the supply chain. The bulky “Plus” model might be dead (or sidelined).

• Galaxy S26: The compact king (6.2-inch).
• Galaxy S26 Ultra: The powerhouse (6.9-inch).
• Galaxy S26 “Slim” / Air: The new wildcard.

What is the S26 Slim?

Think of it as the aesthetics of a flagship with the guts of a mid-ranger. Leaks suggest it will be under 7mm thick (the S25 was 7.6mm) and use a titanium-alloy frame that feels impossibly light. It’s designed purely for people who think the Ultra is too heavy “brick-like.”

2. The Engine: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (The 2nm Monster)

The reason for the February delay? The yield rates of the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.

• The Tech: This is reportedly the first chip built on the 2nm process (N2).
• The Gain: A massive 40% jump in efficiency over the Gen 4.
• Real World: This means the S26 Ultra could offer 2-day battery life comfortably, even with heavy AI usage.
• The Catch: It is expensive. We expect a ₹5,000 price hike across the board because of this chip.

3. Display: The “M14” OLED Panel

Samsung Display supplies screens to Apple, but they keep the best for themselves. The S26 series is rumored to debut the “M14” OLED material set.

• Brightness: Peak brightness could hit 4,000 nits (sustainable).
• Efficiency: Uses 20% less power than the S25’s screen.
• Bezels: What bezels? The “Zero Bezel” tech might finally minimize the black borders to almost nothing, making the phone look like a floating piece of glass.

4. Camera: Finally a 1-Inch Sensor?

For three years, the S23, S24, and S25 Ultras used variations of the same 200MP sensor. The S26 Ultra is rumored to finally switch things up.

• Main Lens: A new 320MP Sensor (Isocell HP9) OR a massive 1-inch Type sensor (GN4). Leaks are split, but either way, night photography will see a generational leap.
• Zoom: The 5x and 10x telephoto combo returns, but with “Liquid Lens” technology for faster focus at varying distances.

5. Spec Leak Cheat Sheet

Verdict: Should You Wait?

Wait for the S26 Ultra IF:

• You want Battery Life: The 2nm chip + Stacked Battery technology is a game-changer.
• You hate heavy phones: If the “Slim” model is real, it will be the most comfortable flagship Samsung has ever made.
• You are an S23 or older user: The jump in AI processing and camera capabilities will be massive.

Buy the S25 Ultra Now IF:

• You want a deal: With the S26 launch delayed, S25 Ultra prices are crashing. You can likely grab one for under ₹90,000 in the upcoming Republic Day sales.
• You need the S-Pen: The “Slim” model likely won’t have an S-Pen slot. If you are a Note fan, the Ultra is still your only choice.

FAQs

Q1: Will the S26 Slim have worse cameras?

A: Likely, yes. To keep it thin, Samsung might drop the 10x Periscope zoom lens. It might settle for a standard 3x zoom, similar to the base S26.

Q2: Is the charger included this time?

A: No. Keep your old 45W brick or buy a new GaN charger. Samsung is not bringing the charger back.

Q3: Will India get the Snapdragon or Exynos version?

A: History suggests the Ultra will get Snapdragon globally. The base S26 and S26 Slim in India might unfortunately get the Exynos 2600 chip.