Samsung is gearing up to kick off 2026 with its next major smartphone release, the Galaxy S26 series, which is reportedly set to be unveiled on February 25. With that date fast approaching, preparations are said to be moving into full-scale production mode—and early shipment estimates suggest one model will dominate shelves from day one.
According to a new report, the Galaxy S26 lineup will still include a Galaxy S26 Plus, alongside the standard Galaxy S26 and the premium Galaxy S26 Ultra. However, it’s the Ultra that’s expected to account for the overwhelming majority of initial availability. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is projected to launch with around 3.6 million units, giving it more than six times the volume of the other models.
Here’s the reported initial production breakdown:
Galaxy S26: 700,000 units
Galaxy S26 Plus: 600,000 units
Galaxy S26 Ultra: 3.6 million units
That makes the Galaxy S26 Plus the lowest-volume model at launch, which isn’t entirely surprising given how Samsung’s Ultra variants have consistently been the biggest crowd-pullers in the flagship range.
The Galaxy S26 Plus is also expected to play it safe on hardware. Reports claim it will retain the same 6.66-inch display size as the Galaxy S25 Plus, suggesting Samsung is positioning it as the familiar middle option in the lineup rather than a headline-stealing upgrade. One prominent tipster even described the Plus model as a “structural stabilizer,” implying it’s meant to keep the flagship lineup balanced and complete, rather than push the boundaries in a major way.
Part of the reason the Plus exists at all may come down to shifting plans behind the scenes. The same report indicates Samsung previously scrapped the Galaxy S26 Edge after deciding not to continue the slimmer model concept due to weaker-than-expected sales performance from the prior Edge device. With that approach shelved, Samsung reportedly moved quickly and began developing the Galaxy S26 Plus in October 2024 to fill the gap in the lineup.
On the performance side, earlier benchmark chatter around the Galaxy S26 Ultra suggested its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 configuration may run performance cores at a slightly lower frequency, which could explain lower early Geekbench 6 single-core and multi-core results compared to expectations. Even so, Samsung still appears to be placing its biggest launch bet on the Ultra, likely anticipating the strongest demand from power users and buyers who prioritize top-tier cameras, premium features, and the most advanced specs.
The report adds that production volumes for the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus are expected to increase in February. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s shipment numbers may decline after the initial wave, largely because Samsung is reportedly putting heavy emphasis on ramping up Ultra production early to meet launch demand.
With a February 25 announcement date rumored and manufacturing already accelerating, the Galaxy S26 series is shaping up to be one of Samsung’s most Ultra-focused flagship launches yet—while the Galaxy S26 Plus looks set to remain the steady, familiar option for buyers who want a larger screen without going all-in on the Ultra tier.
