The upcoming release of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series has generated significant excitement among tech enthusiasts. While Samsung typically unveils its flagship phones early in the year, there are reports suggesting a delay in the launch this time around. According to a recent article from Korean outlet Money Today, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series is now expected to debut on February 25, 2026.
The launch event for the S26 series is set to take place in San Francisco, marking a departure from previous launches. This delay, of approximately a month, would bring the S series to the American city for the first time since the S23 launch in 2023.
The decision to host the launch in San Francisco may be a strategic move by Samsung to emphasize its commitment to Artificial Intelligence (AI), given the city’s reputation as a global hub for AI innovation, home to prominent AI companies like OpenAI and Perplexity.
One of the key reasons behind the delay is believed to be last-minute adjustments to the S26 lineup. Previous expectations of introducing the S26 Edge variant have been altered, with reports indicating the cancellation of the Edge model due to lower-than-expected sales of the S25 Edge. Instead, Samsung is reintroducing the Plus variant alongside the base S26 and the S26 Ultra, with the base model likely not receiving the ‘Pro’ designation.
Recent hints from Samsung suggest that the S26 series will feature enhanced AI capabilities and improved cameras compared to the S25 series. The S26 Ultra is anticipated to sport a more rounded design and new color options, possibly similar to the Cosmic Orange variant seen in the iPhone 17 Pro.
The flagship lineup is expected to be powered by the new Exynos 2600 chipset in certain regions, while others may feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The Exynos 2600 chipset is projected to deliver significantly higher NPU performance compared to Apple’s A19 Pro chipset, owing to its 2nm manufacturing process, promising substantial improvements over the Exynos 2500.
While the performance of the Exynos 2600 chipset in comparison to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 remains uncertain, early benchmark results indicate promising single-core and multi-core scores for both chipsets. Samsung enthusiasts eagerly await the official unveiling of the S26 series on February 25, 2026.