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| A usually reliable leaker has compared the Samsung Galaxy S26 series to the S25 models |
For months, the well-known and often-critical leaker Ice Universe has trained his sights on Samsung's mobile division, accusing CEO TM Roh of prioritizing profit over groundbreaking innovation in the Galaxy S lineup. His latest leak provides what he frames as clear evidence of this strategic shift: a detailed, model-by-model comparison of the upcoming Galaxy S26 series against the current Galaxy S25 family.
The takeaway from these plausible, though still unconfirmed, specifications is a narrative of stagnation. With major design overhauls also not expected for 2026, the leaks paint a picture of a company focusing on incremental upgrades and cost optimization.
Galaxy S26 vs. S25: A Slight Stretch
For the standard model, changes appear minimal. The display is rumored to grow marginally from 6.2 to 6.3 inches, while retaining the same AMOLED technology and peak brightness. Memory and storage configurations are static, save for the long-anticipated discontinuation of the 128GB base variant. A welcome 300mAh battery bump is noted, though a controversial rumor suggests a slightly thinner chassis.
The core upgrades are the expected new chipsets: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for the US and the Exynos 2600 for global markets. The camera system may see new sensors, but megapixel counts (50/12/10/12) would remain identical to the S25.
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| Important Galaxy S25 specs compared to probably final Galaxy S26 specs |
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: The Only Real Evolution
The Ultra model, as usual, sees the most significant updates. Samsung is tipped to introduce a new 6.9-inch M14 AMOLED panel, though brightness may not see a jump. In a divisive move, European models may once again be limited to 12GB of RAM, while other regions like China get 16GB. On a positive note, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected to be the global chipset, bypassing Exynos for the Ultra.
The most notable improvements could be in charging and optics. After years stuck at 45W, Samsung may finally boost fast charging to 60W. The chassis might also slim down to roughly 0.27 inches.
While the sensor sizes may not change, the story is in the lenses. The main and 5x telephoto cameras are rumored to feature "much larger apertures," a change that could significantly brighten low-light photos and videos.
https://x.com/UniverseIce/status/1994671789612700005
The Bottom Line
If these leaks hold, Ice Universe's criticism appears validated. The Galaxy S26 series shapes up as a textbook "tock" year—a collection of sensible refinements, minor spec bumps, and platform updates centered on the new processors. For consumers yearning for a dramatic new design or leapfrog camera technology, the 2026 flagships may feel like a missed opportunity. For Samsung, it may represent a calculated play for stronger margins, betting that performance tuning and software enhancements will be enough to carry the day.
What do you think? Are refined specs and better efficiency enough for a flagship upgrade, or is Samsung's innovation stagnating? Let us know in the comments below.
*(Note: All specifications are based on pre-release rumors and leaks from Ice Universe and are subject to change. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is currently available, starting at $999 on Amazon).*
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| mportant Galaxy S25 Ultra specs compared to probably final Galaxy S26 Ultra specs |