Samsung Galaxy S26 Series: Leaked Launch Dates, Global Pricing, and Key Specs

 

The tech world is buzzing with anticipation as the first major leaks for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series have surfaced. While Samsung has yet to make an official announcement, credible industry insiders and leaked reports from Europe have painted a very clear picture of what to expect from the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and the flagship S26 Ultra.

Here is everything we know so far about the upcoming launch, including specific times for global markets and expected pricing.

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🗓️ Leaked Launch Date and Time

In a shift from previous years where Samsung launched in January, the Galaxy S26 series is reportedly scheduled for a slightly later reveal in 2026. The Galaxy Unpacked event is expected to take place on February 25, 2026, in San Francisco.

According to leaks, the event is timed for 7:00 PM local time in France. Here is how that translates to major global markets:

Region	Expected Launch Date	Expected Event Time
United States (PT/ET)	February 25, 2026	10:00 AM / 1:00 PM
United Kingdom (GMT)	February 25, 2026	6:00 PM
France/Europe (CET)	February 25, 2026	7:00 PM
India (IST)	February 25, 2026	11:30 PM
China (CST)	February 26, 2026	2:00 AM

Market Availability: Reports suggest the devices will officially hit shelves on March 11, 2026, with pre-orders likely starting immediately after the event.

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💰 Expected Pricing (Leaked)

There is a debate among leakers regarding price hikes. While some point to rising component costs (like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip), others suggest Samsung will hold the line to remain competitive with Apple.

Estimated Starting Prices:

Model	USA (USD)	UK (GBP)	India (INR)
Galaxy S26	$799 - $849	£799	₹80,999
Galaxy S26 Plus	$999 - $1,049	£999	₹99,999
Galaxy S26 Ultra	$1,299 - $1,349	£1,249	₹1,29,999 - ₹1,59,999

Note: The Ultra model is rumored to see the most significant price variance due to its exclusive use of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor globally, while the base and Plus models may use the Exynos 2600 in certain regions.

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🚀 Key Upgrades to Watch For

Based on the latest leaks, here are the most exciting changes coming to the series:

• The Ultra's Power: The S26 Ultra is tipped to feature a massive 6.9-inch M14 OLED display with 3,000 nits peak brightness and a first-of-its-kind built-in privacy screen feature.

• Fast Charging: After years of sticking to 45W, the S26 Ultra is finally rumored to support 60W wired fast charging.

• Design Refinement: The Ultra may move away from its sharp, boxy corners in favor of a slightly rounded design to improve ergonomics, while the base models might see a redesigned "camera island."

• Standardized RAM: There are conflicting reports, but many suggest the entire lineup could jump to 16GB of RAM to better support on-device "Galaxy AI" features.

• Qi2 Support: The entire S26 series is expected to finally embrace Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, making it compatible with MagSafe-style accessories.

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What’s Next?

As we approach the rumored February 25th date, we expect more "official-looking" renders and retail box leaks to appear.

Would you like me to compare the leaked specs of the S26 Ultra against the current iPhone 17 Pro Max?