Samsung’s 2025 flagship roadmap just snapped back into focus. After a brief stumble caused by the cancellation of the Galaxy S26 Edge—reportedly a reaction to underwhelming Galaxy S25 Edge sales—the company has realigned development and is now targeting a January unveiling for the Galaxy S26 series, with retail availability expected in February.
The shake-up briefly extended hardware verification when Samsung removed the Edge model and added the Plus variant, which nearly pushed the launch to March. That hurdle has been cleared, and the mass production schedule for the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains on track.
Chip strategy is shaping up to be a split. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to ship exclusively with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus are expected to run Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2600. Earlier chatter suggested a full lineup switch to Exynos, including the Ultra, but that is not the plan. One likely reason: the Exynos 2600 is Samsung’s first 2nm GAA chip, and reports point to lower-than-ideal early yields, with previous whispers citing around 15,000 wafers per month. Maturity and supply considerations could be driving the decision to keep the Ultra on Qualcomm silicon.
Pricing may also shift at the top end. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to see a price increase, influenced by rising component costs and tariffs. The rest of the lineup is expected to maintain more accessible pricing to stay competitive while still offering high-end features.
Key takeaways:
– Launch window: January announcement, February release
– Lineup changes: Galaxy S26 Edge canceled; S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra moving ahead
– Chipsets: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the Ultra; Exynos 2600 in the base and Plus models
– Pricing: Possible hike for the Ultra; base and Plus expected to hold the line
– Production and development: Brief verification delay now resolved; Ultra mass production on schedule
Samsung’s final details will arrive with its next big unveiling, where we’ll learn more about the Exynos 2600, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 implementation, and regional availability. For now, all signs point to a tight, February-bound flagship launch with a premium Ultra leading the charge.
