The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 series, expected to launch on February 25th, will feature Chi 2.2 magnets for 25W wireless charging across all models, alongside potential display enhancements, battery upgrades, and minor camera sensor improvements.
Takeways• All Galaxy S26 models are expected to integrate Chi 2.2 magnets for enhanced wireless charging.
• A privacy screen built directly into the display and a 10-bit M14 panel are potential display innovations for the S26 Ultra.
• Minor battery and camera sensor upgrades are anticipated, alongside regional variations in processor chipsets.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup, including the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, is rumored to launch soon and introduce significant enhancements like built-in Chi 2.2 magnets for faster wireless charging across all models. The S26 Ultra may receive a new 10-bit M14 display panel and a revolutionary built-in privacy screen, which are considered highly innovative upgrades. Minor battery and camera sensor improvements are also anticipated, though peak brightness might remain stagnant and processor distribution could vary by region.
Expected Features & Naming
• 00:00:39 The upcoming phones are expected to be named the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, maintaining the classic nomenclature. A notable feature anticipated across all S26 models is the integration of Chi 2 magnets, enabling up to 25 watts of wireless charging, a potential improvement over Google's Pixel lineup which limits faster charging to its Pro XL model. Evidence for this includes CAD cutouts and leaks of a Samsung-branded Chi 2.2 wireless charger.
• 00:02:42 The S26 Ultra display could see upgrades to a 10-bit M14 panel, offering more vivid colors and smoother gradients, along with a potential peak brightness of 6,000 nits for HDR content. However, there are conflicting rumors suggesting Samsung might stick to 2,600 nits, relying instead on an improved anti-reflective coating. A highly innovative rumored feature is a built-in privacy screen that can be toggled on or off, potentially for specific display areas like messages or PIN entry, and could be automated via routines.
• 00:05:35 Battery capacities might increase slightly, with the S26 potentially reaching 4,300 mAh and the S26 Ultra 5,200 mAh, though these are not massive jumps. The S26 Ultra may compensate with 60 watts of wired charging. Processing power is likely to be the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, especially for the Ultra globally, while the S26 and S26 Plus might see the return of the Exynos 2600 in some regions. Additionally, all S26 phones are expected to start with 256GB of storage, and standard colors include black, white, cob violet, and sky blue.
• 00:07:42 Camera changes are expected to be minor, with the S26 and Plus potentially receiving slightly better 50-megapixel ISL sensors, with performance relying heavily on processing improvements. The S26 Ultra's main camera might retain 200 megapixels but with a new ISL HP2 sensor, possibly offering a wider f1.4 aperture for improved low-light performance. The three-times telephoto lens might be downgraded to a 12-megapixel sensor to achieve a thinner phone design, a trade-off that is a point of contention given the current 10-megapixel sensor's performance.