Samsung Confirms Galaxy S26 Series with Next-Gen AI, Custom Chipsets, and Camera Upgrades

Samsung teases Galaxy S26 with next-gen AI, Exynos chip, and new camera sensors

Samsung just confirmed that the Galaxy S26 will bring big AI upgrades, a new set of cameras, and a custom-built processor. Samsung just announced its quarterly earnings, setting the stage for the Galaxy S26 series. Speaking during the company's Q3 2025 earnings call, Daniel Araujo, VP of Samsung's Mobile eXperience division, said that the Galaxy S26 lineup will "revolutionize the user experience with user-centric, next-gen AI, a second-generation custom AP, and stronger performance, including new camera sensors." In saying so, Araujo has almost certainly confirmed that the Galaxy S26 series will be powered by the Exynos 2600, at least in some regions. The Exynos 2600 is said to be the first 2nm chip produced by Samsung's foundry. Previous reports have also confirmed that Samsung will also use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 to power the Galaxy S26 series, meaning we're once again in for a dual-chip strategy. According to a previous report, only the standard Galaxy S26 will feature an Exynos chip, while the other models will have a Qualcomm chip inside them. Araujo added that Samsung plans to continue innovating its foldable lineup, aiming to "strengthen our product portfolio and provide new experiences to expand our customer base." The company also plans to expand health-focused AI features in Galaxy Watches and grow its TWS earbud lineup with new products. Samsung also emphasized the success of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and noted that the company witnessed a steady demand for flagship phones, tablets, and wearables in the quarter. While Samsung's sales in North America and South Korea declined slightly, its overall performance improved compared to last year. Looking ahead, Samsung says it'll double down on AI-powered smartphones, including the upcoming Galaxy S26 series and new foldables. The company plans to use seasonal promotions and push ecosystem devices such as watches and earbuds to keep its momentum going. Samsung says it will focus on AI leadership and innovative form factors in 2026. The company also anticipates price increases in key components such as memory, which might drive up smartphone prices.

Galaxy S26 -- Samsung just teased the 3 biggest upgrades ahead of launch

Samsung talks Galaxy S26 in earnings call -- and there are three big upgrades to look out for Samsung's Q3 FY2025 earnings call (via Android Authority) can be a dense listen even for geeks like us here at TG. But it is worth paying attention to, as Samsung's VP of Mobile Experience, Daniel Araujo, mentioned the Galaxy S26 by name while discussing the outlook for 2026, referencing AI, performance and cameras as three specific areas of focus. This is the first time Samsung has revealed this much so early about an upcoming flagship phone, and it makes us wonder if they're trying to steal some thunder from the iPhone 17 series. AI being a priority isn't a surprise. Samsung's Galaxy AI features are some of the best in the business, and the whole genAI trend remains firmly embedded in the consumer tech world. Hardcore Samsung fans will be glad to hear about new camera sensors too. Samsung is notorious for holding off on camera upgrades to eke every last drop of performance out of their components. For example, Samsung's 10MP 3x telephoto camera, used on all Galaxy S25 models apart from the S25 Edge, was first introduced on 2022's Galaxy S22 series. Meanwhile, the 12MP ultrawide camera, found on the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and S25 Edge, has been in service even longer, debuting on the Galaxy S20 series in 2020. When Araujo refers to a custom application processor (or AP), he's talking about the chipset running the phone. And for the Galaxy S26, that could refer to Samsung's own Exynos 2600, the company's first 2-nanometre chip that has been teased to power some or all of the S26 models. However, it could equally be interpreted as referring to the Qualcomm-designed Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 For Galaxy. The 8 Elite Gen 5 chip is already official, and for the past few years, Samsung has been able to source more powerful "For Galaxy" editions for its flagship phones. But, as it often the case running up to a new Galaxy S model launch, there are rumors that only certain regions and specific models will use Samsung's chip, while the rest will get the Snapdragon. It's all quite confusing and I can't wait for more definitive rumors to put this uncertainty to rest. Araujo's statement in the call also featured a quick mention of foldable phones. Hopefully, going by the quote below, it means that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 -- highlighted by Araujo as a particular success this past quarter - will get an equally exciting follow-up. Form factor innovations could also be referring to the Galaxy TriFold we've been hearing rumors of for some time, and that apparently appeared in the flesh at a trade show earlier this week. It's hard to think of something more innovative than a type of phone only one other company has been able to bring to market -- and only in one country, too. Stick with Tom's Guide as we approach the Galaxy S26's expected launch period of January 2026, as we'll continue to keep up with all the news and rumors, and eventually deliver the official launch details and reviews as soon as we can.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series will have new cameras, a custom chipset, and better AI

They claimed that combined these will revolutionize the user experience Samsung is already talking up the Galaxy S26 series, as while these phones probably won't land before January - and may not launch until March - Daniel Araujo, the VP of Samsung's Mobile Experience Division, has teased some of what we can expect. In Samsung's Q3 2025 earnings call (via Android Authority), Araujo claimed that the Samsung Galaxy S26 series will "revolutionize the user experience with user-centric, next-gen AI, a second-generation custom AP, and stronger performance, including new camera sensors." So there's a little to unpack there, but talk of a custom AP likely refers either to Samsung's in-house Exynos 2600 chipset or a custom 'for Galaxy' version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. In all likelihood it refers to both actually, as Samsung typically uses a mix of Exynos and Snapdragon chipsets depending on model and region. The mention of new camera sensors is more self-explanatory, but a change in sensor could mean big upgrades, including higher megapixel counts, or it could be a much smaller change, leaving the cameras similar to how they are on the current models. If nothing else though, this does at least suggest a rumor that pointed to completely unchanged cameras on the base Galaxy S26 might be wrong - though it's possible Araujo is just referring to the Plus or Ultra models here. We had previously heard that the base Samsung Galaxy S26 might either have a new - but still 50MP - main sensor or a new 50MP ultra-wide camera though, so it now looks likely that one or both of those leaks could be correct. Finally, there's talk of next-gen AI, which isn't much of a surprise, but suggests that AI will once again be a big focus on these phones - though whether any of this will truly "revolutionize the user experience" is more questionable. Hopefully Araujo's claim here isn't an exaggeration though, because if it's not then the Samsung Galaxy S26 series could rank among the most exciting phones of 2026.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Teased to Launch With These Notable Upgrades

* Samsung confirms Galaxy S26 with major AI and camera upgrades * Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 expected for select Galaxy S26 models * Samsung to expand Galaxy Z Fold, Z Flip, and Watch lineup in 2026 Samsung has confirmed key details about its upcoming Galaxy S26 series of smartphones during its Q3 2025 earnings call. The company teased major AI, performance, and camera upgrades. A senior executive said that the new flagship lineup, which is expected to debut the Galaxy S26 series, will introduce next-generation AI features, a second-generation custom chipset, and improved imaging capabilities. The announcement marks the company's first official confirmation of significant hardware and software advancements for the Galaxy S26 series, which is expected to lead Samsung's AI-focused smartphone strategy for 2026. Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Expected to Debut With Notable AI Improvements Samsung has officially set the stage for its upcoming Galaxy S26 series during its Q3 2025 earnings call. Daniel Araujo, Vice President of Samsung's Mobile Experience Division, confirmed that the company's next flagship lineup will deliver major improvements in artificial intelligence, chipset performance, and camera technology. He said the Galaxy S26 series aims to "revolutionise the user experience" with next-generation AI, a second-generation custom processor, and improved sensors. The mention of a "second-generation custom AP" is widely interpreted as confirmation of the Exynos 2600, Samsung's next high-end mobile chipset. Expected to be the company's first 2nm processor, the Exynos 2600 is rumoured to offer significant upgrades in both power efficiency and overall performance. At the same time, Samsung is likely to continue its dual-chip strategy, equipping certain regional variants with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor. Reports suggest that the standard Galaxy S26 may feature the Exynos 2600, while the Galaxy S26+ and S26 Ultra could rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. However, Araujo noted that chipset evaluations for the lineup are still ongoing, meaning final configurations are yet to be confirmed. The phrasing of his remarks also leaves open the possibility that the "custom AP" could refer to a co-developed Snapdragon variant tailored specifically for Galaxy devices. Will the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Arrive With a Price Hike? Looking forward, Samsung stated that it will prioritise leadership in AI-powered mobile experiences and innovative device form factors. The company also cautioned that rising component costs, particularly in memory, may lead to higher prices for upcoming flagship models. This signals that the Galaxy S26 series could arrive with a price increase, reflecting the cost of its next-generation hardware and new AI-driven capabilities. Alongside its flagship smartphone plans, Samsung reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its foldable lineup in 2026. The company intends to enhance its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series to "strengthen its product portfolio and provide new experiences to a wider customer base." Samsung also announced plans to bring more advanced health-focused AI features to its Galaxy Watch lineup and introduce new true wireless earbuds as part of its growing ecosystem. During the earnings call, Samsung reported steady demand for its premium devices, including smartphones, tablets, and wearables, though sales in North America and South Korea saw slight declines. The company highlighted strong performance in other global markets, citing continued interest in its flagship and foldable devices as a positive indicator ahead of the Galaxy S26 launch.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series launch date: New S series may come one month late but with a 'Plus' model. Check details

Samsung's Galaxy S26 series is reportedly launching on February 25, 2026, a month later than usual, with a revised lineup including the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. The Ultra model is expected to feature a 10-bit display, 60W charging, and enhanced AI capabilities powered by either the Exynos 2600 or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Samsung is reportedly set to launch its Galaxy S26 series on February 25, 2026, marking a delay of almost a month compared to the usual launch window for its predecessors. The South Korean tech giant typically unveils its Galaxy S-series in January. Earlier reports had even hinted at a potential March launch. According to Korean outlet Money Today, this will be Samsung's first S-series launch event in San Francisco since the Galaxy S23 unveiling in 2023. The delay is reportedly due to last-minute changes in the S26 lineup. Initially, Samsung was expected to replace the S26 Plus with an S26 Edge, while the base model would adopt the Pro branding. However, new leaks suggest that the Edge variant has been canceled due to poor sales of the ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge. Consequently, Samsung has decided to bring back the Plus model to the S26 series, which will now include the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. The base variant will no longer carry the 'Pro' label. The upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to feature a new 10-bit display, capable of rendering over 1 billion colors -- a notable upgrade from the 8-bit panels used in previous models. While still behind some rivals that employ 12-bit displays, this marks a significant visual enhancement. In terms of camera hardware, major changes are unlikely, according to leaks. Most improvements are expected to come from software optimizations and the upgraded image signal processor (ISP) within the new chipset. The S26 Ultra is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, coupled with 12GB of RAM. Battery capacity will reportedly remain at 5,000mAh, but charging speeds are set to increase to 60W, allowing a 0-80% charge in about 30 minutes. Samsung has previously teased that the S26 lineup will feature enhanced AI capabilities and improved camera performance over the S25 series. The S26 Ultra is also expected to adopt a more rounded design and debut in new color options, potentially including a shade similar to Cosmic Orange seen on the iPhone 17 Pro. The Galaxy S26 series will reportedly use the Exynos 2600 chipset in select markets, while other regions will receive models powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The Exynos 2600 is said to deliver up to six times higher NPU (Neural Processing Unit) performance than Apple's A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro, greatly boosting on-device AI capabilities. Built on Samsung's 2nm process, the new Exynos chip is expected to deliver substantial efficiency and performance gains over its predecessor, the Exynos 2500. However, it remains to be seen whether it can outperform Qualcomm's flagship offering. According to tipster Jukan on X, the Exynos 2600 achieved 3,455 (single-core) and 11,621 (multi-core) on Geekbench. In comparison, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 reportedly scored 3,832 (single-core) and 12,170 (multi-core), as per SamMobile. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)