Fresh leaks have pulled back the curtain on Samsung's highly anticipated next-generation flagship smartphones. Following the unveiling of its tri-fold device, the tech giant is now focusing on the Galaxy S26 series, expected to launch early next year. New information, stemming from a software teardown, has revealed the likely design and several key specifications of the upcoming Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra models.
Design Renders Emerge from OneUI Software
According to a report by Android Authority, clues embedded within Samsung's own OneUI 8.5 software have provided clear renders of the phones' rear designs. The images corroborate earlier leaks from reliable sources like tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer. The standard Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy S26+ are shown with a vertically stacked triple rear camera system housed within a distinct camera island.
Meanwhile, the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to feature a similar arrangement of three vertically aligned main cameras, but is accompanied by two additional sensors, suggesting a total of five rear cameras for enhanced photography capabilities.
Expected Performance and Display Upgrades
The software exploration didn't stop at design. It also hinted at the inclusion of Super Fast Charging 3.0, indicating that Samsung is preparing to introduce significantly faster wired and wireless charging speeds with the new lineup.
For the top-tier model, a major display upgrade is on the cards. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to boast a new 10-bit display, capable of showing over 1 billion colors. This represents a substantial jump from the 8-bit panels used in previous generations, promising richer and more accurate visuals, even if it doesn't match the 12-bit depth found in some competing devices.
Processor, Battery, and Camera Insights
Under the hood, the S26 Ultra is likely to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, coupled with 12GB of RAM. While the battery capacity may remain at a robust 5,000mAh, the charging speed is rumored to increase to 60W. This could enable a charge from 0 to 80% in approximately 30 minutes.
On the camera front, reports suggest that major hardware overhauls are unlikely. Instead, improvements are expected to come through software enhancements and a new image signal processor (ISP) within the updated chipset.
Details about the standard Galaxy S26 are still emerging as development continues. However, it is reported that this model may feature the Exynos 2600 processor, aligning with Samsung's strategy to bolster its in-house semiconductor business. Leaked case images for the S26 Ultra suggest only minor design tweaks, hinting that the entire S26 series might focus on incremental refinements rather than a complete redesign.
With an expected launch window in early 2025, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series is shaping up to be an evolution focused on display technology, charging speed, and processing power, setting the stage for the next chapter in the flagship smartphone race.
