Our First Proper Look at the Samsung Galaxy S26: Design, Specs & Biggest Confirmations Yet
The Samsung Galaxy S26 season has officially begun — and today we finally have our first proper look at the upcoming flagship, thanks to a new reveal from Samsung alongside several major leaks that confirm its design, features, colour options, and hardware upgrades. Let’s break down everything we learned.
Exynos 2600 vs Snapdragon: What’s Really Happening
Samsung recently showcased the new Exynos 2600, which many expected to power a large portion of the S26 lineup. However, new reports suggest things aren’t going smoothly behind the scenes.
According to multiple industry sources, Samsung has been facing low production yields and overheating issues, meaning only around 25% of Galaxy S26 units will reportedly ship with the Exynos 2600.
The remaining 75% of global models are expected to stay on Snapdragon — essentially every market outside of South Korea.
For most buyers, this means you can once again expect the Snapdragon-powered S26.
Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Charging Confirmed
One of the most exciting updates is the confirmation of Qi2 magnetic wireless charging.
Early dummy units showed a circular ring on the back, strongly resembling a magnetic charging coil. Now, leaked images of Samsung’s upcoming official magnetic charger confirm that the S26 lineup will support magnetically aligned wireless charging, very similar to Apple’s implementation.
The new system is expected to deliver up to 25W of wireless charging power — finally bringing Samsung into the Qi2 ecosystem.
Official Wallpapers Reveal Galaxy S26 Colour Options
Samsung’s official Galaxy S26 wallpapers have also surfaced, and as always, they reveal the exact colours planned for launch.
Galaxy S26 / S26+ colours:
- Mint
- Coral
- Grey
Galaxy S26 Ultra colours:
- White
- Silver
- Black
- Violet
These shades match the information seen in earlier leaks and align with Samsung’s recent flagship colour strategy.
One UI 8.5 Leaks Give Us the First Look at S26 & S26+
The biggest reveal came from inside Samsung’s own software. Early builds of One UI 8.5 included hidden assets showing the Galaxy S26 and S26+. Samsung quickly removes videos containing these images, but the leaked measurements and layout gave us enough detail to create accurate renders.
What’s new in the design?
- Samsung’s familiar minimalist look remains
- Main difference between models is size
- A new raised camera module backing plate behind the lenses
- A layout similar to what we see on the Fold series
- Slightly improved internal space thanks to the redesigned camera area
The design changes also align with previous reports that the standard S26 retains the S25’s camera hardware, reinforcing Samsung’s incremental approach for the base models.
Galaxy S26 Ultra: Design Confirmed Through CAD
Although the Ultra didn’t appear in the One UI leak, its final design is already confirmed thanks to CAD files. With the wallpapers also leaking, we now know both the physical layout and colour options.
I’ve created detailed S26 Ultra renders and in-hand views based on these specifications to give the clearest representation of what to expect. As always, final colour shades may vary slightly at launch.
The Galaxy S26 Edge: Cancelled or Delayed?
There have been ongoing rumours about a possible Galaxy S26 Edge, but signs continue to point toward the model being cancelled entirely.
- The S25 Edge struggled in sales
- Ultra-thin designs like Apple’s iPhone Air also underperformed
- No CAD files, firmware references, or supply-chain activity
- No production indicators despite being late in the cycle
At this stage, it appears Samsung is stepping away from ultra-thin designs in favour of better battery life, thermals, and structural rigidity. If anything changes, we’ll cover it immediately.
More:
Samsung Begins Mass Production of Galaxy S26 Ultra; Base S26 to Retain S25 Camera Setup
Samsung Galaxy S26 Likely to Retain Galaxy S25’s Camera Setup, Report Claims
Exynos 2600 Expected to Launch Exclusively in South Korea Due to Yield & Contract Constraints