Finally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Expected to Fix Its Biggest Wireless Charging Flaw

Leaks from multiple supply chain watchers and long established tipsters now converge on February 25, 2026, as the likely unveiling date for the Galaxy S26 series, with shipments expected in early March. That timing would mark a slight delay from Samsung’s traditional January window and suggests the company is taking extra time to refine its next flagship rather than rushing incremental updates.

Why the lineup matters more than usual

The Galaxy S25 family expanded into one of Samsung’s most fragmented flagship lineups, spanning a standard model, Plus, Ultra, Edge, and later an FE. For S26, reports increasingly point to a leaner launch with three models followed by an FE refresh later. The Edge, which aimed to attract buyers with a slimmer profile, is rumored to be dropped after weaker than expected demand, a sign that Samsung may be refocusing on mainstream appeal over experimentation.

Flat screens and a familiar camera look

Early looks at the Galaxy S26 Plus describe a flat display with thin, uniform bezels and a triple camera system arranged vertically at the top left. That flat panel rumor aligns with a broader industry move away from curved screens, especially as competitors like Apple and Google continue to favor flat glass for durability and ease of use. The design language also appears to be shifting toward more defined camera housings, echoing the rectangular bump trend seen on recent iPhones.

The Ultra’s design tradeoffs

Leaks suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra will retain a complex rear layout with three cameras grouped together and an additional sensor offset to the side. One recurring claim is that the camera bump protrudes more than before, potentially causing wobble when placed on a table. That kind of everyday annoyance matters for users who value stability and repairability, especially as camera modules continue to grow thicker.

Colors and small visual changes

Rumored finishes include conservative black and white options alongside brighter colors such as ultraviolet and a blue tone. One report even mentions an orange variant for the Ultra. Samsung often uses color to signal a generational shift, but historically only a few shades see broad adoption, making color variety more about launch buzz than long term differentiation.

Qi2 finally becomes usable

Wireless charging appears to be one of the most meaningful rumored upgrades. Samsung flagships have so far lacked internal magnets, limiting the real world benefits of the Qi2 standard. Dummy units shared by leakers suggest the Galaxy S26 series may finally include magnetic rings, enabling consistent alignment with chargers and accessories. If Samsung adopts Qi2.2, wireless charging speeds could increase from 15W to around 25W, making magnetic charging more practical for daily use.

The S Pen dilemma and a possible fix

Qi2 has been particularly tricky on Ultra models because magnetic accessories can interfere with the S Pen digitizer. Recent leaks claim Samsung is revising its stylus technology to better coexist with magnets, potentially through internal changes reflected in a new asymmetrical S Pen design. If accurate, this would remove one of the biggest compromises facing Ultra buyers who rely on the stylus.

Small screen size adjustments

Screen size rumors suggest only modest changes. The base Galaxy S26 may grow from 6.2 inches to about 6.27 inches, while the Plus and Ultra are expected to remain around 6.7 inches and 6.9 inches. A separate rumor about rebranding the base model as a Pro has largely been dismissed by newer reports, indicating Samsung is unlikely to disrupt its naming structure this year.

A broader AI strategy beyond Google

On the software side, the Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch with Android 16 and One UI 8 or 8.5. The more notable development is Samsung’s reported interest in expanding its AI partnerships. Sources indicate talks to preload Perplexity and integrate its search into Samsung Internet, which would diversify Samsung’s AI approach beyond Google Gemini. Testing of a Perplexity powered Bixby has also been rumored, hinting at a potential push to make Samsung’s assistant more competitive.

Performance splits remain familiar

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is widely expected to ship globally with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which Qualcomm claims delivers 20 percent higher performance and 35 percent better power efficiency than the previous generation. For the base S26 and S26 Plus, Samsung may continue its regional split strategy by using the Exynos 2600 in certain markets. Early benchmark data suggests Exynos performance is closer to Snapdragon than before, but sustained performance and thermal behavior will ultimately define user experience.

Memory upgrades are still unclear

Leaks disagree on RAM configurations, with some claiming all models could move to 16GB while others insist Samsung will start at 12GB. Given rising component costs, a 12GB baseline would align with Samsung’s recent pricing strategy, though it could limit future proofing as on device AI workloads become more demanding.

Cameras focus on refinement, not reinvention

Camera rumors suggest a conservative year. The base and Plus models are expected to keep a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto. The Ultra is rumored to retain its 200MP main sensor but with a wider f 1.4 aperture, which could improve low light performance more than an increase in resolution. A speculative 324MP rumor exists, but it lacks strong backing.

A software driven photography tweak

A more credible addition is a rumored 24MP shooting mode accessible through Samsung’s Camera Assistant settings. It would reportedly support both standard photos and portraits and be exclusive to the S26 lineup, even on similar hardware. This suggests Samsung may rely more on software differentiation to justify upgrades rather than radical sensor changes.

Batteries and charging see steady gains

Battery capacity is expected to inch upward, with the Ultra rumored to move from 5,000mAh to about 5,400mAh and wired charging increasing from 45W to as much as 60W. Reports indicate Samsung has already listed a 60W charger, lending some credibility to the claim. The base and Plus models are expected to land around 4,300mAh and 4,900mAh respectively, consistent with Samsung’s incremental approach.

Higher prices look unavoidable

Pricing may be the most concrete rumor so far. Memory shortages are expected to raise costs across the industry, and Samsung leadership has already warned that no manufacturer is immune. South Korean reports suggest a $40 to $60 increase per model, with a commonly cited estimate of $50. That would place the Galaxy S26 around $850, the S26 Plus near $950, and the S26 Ultra close to $1,350 at comparable storage levels.

Our take on Samsung’s direction

We believe the Galaxy S26 series signals a shift toward reducing friction rather than chasing headline specs. True Qi2 support, improved charging, and a cleaner lineup could make daily use more convenient, even as prices climb. The challenge for Samsung will be convincing buyers that these practical gains are worth the extra cost in a market where iPhone and Pixel upgrades are also becoming more incremental and more expensive.