What’s New with the Samsung Galaxy S26?
Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S26 lineup in January 2026, with refreshed naming: the Galaxy S26 Pro replacing the base model, the S26 Edge, and the top-tier S26 Ultra. Early leaks show meaningful upgrades, especially in battery and camera tech across the range.
Galaxy S26 & S26 Pro: A Needed Battery Jump
The standard model, or “Pro”, is tipped to finally get a battery upgrade, moving from 4,000 mAh to 4,300 mAh on a 6.27-inch display, while the Edge variant may increase to 4,200 mAh, replacing the older Plus series. Samsung may also adopt silicon-carbon battery tech with capacities reaching 6,000-7,000 mAh, especially in premium models, enabling more energy density in the same size.
Galaxy S26 Ultra: Flagship Features and Real Gains
The Ultra model appears poised for major upgrades:
Spec | Expected S26 Ultra |
Display | ~6.9″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED, up to 3,000 nits, 120–165 Hz |
Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 or Exynos 2600 |
RAM / Storage | 12–18 GB RAM, 256 GB – 2 TB |
Cameras | 200 MP main (variable aperture f/1.4), 50 MP periscope/telephoto, ultra-wide; laser AF |
Battery | 5,500–6,000 mAh silicon-carbon |
Charging | 65 W wired, ~15 W wireless |
Extras | Bluetooth S Pen support, Gorilla Glass Armor, IP68, One UI 8 on Android 16 |
Price | Expected ~$1,299 USD (~PKR 424,000) |
Launch | January 2026 |
Camera improvements include a return to variable aperture and larger light capture (up to 47 % more) plus a simplified yet powerful lens setup, likely restoring Samsung’s edge in photography. Faster charging (65 W vs 45 W) may finally address battery criticism.
Local Price & Context in Pakistan
According to local sources, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to debut around PKR 424,000 (~USD 1,900) for the 16 GB/256 GB variant, with higher-storage models (512 GB–2 TB) costing up to PKR 498,000.
Author’s Take
Considering the stagnant battery sizes by Samsung since 2020, these upgrades feel overdue, but necessary. A modest bump on base models is smart, and silicon-carbon tech may be the breakthrough users want. The camera improvements and faster charging on the Ultra suggest Samsung is pushing back against competition. If the price holds near last year’s range, this could be a compelling upgrade for heavy users and photographers alike.
Looking ahead to January 2026, Samsung fans and reviewers will be watching whether these leaks solidify, or if Samsung still plays it safe. For now, the Galaxy S26 series seems to reflect meaningful progress in energy and imaging tech without punishment in design or software longevity.
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