Whats the new galaxy phone: Why the S26 Ultra is the only one that matters

If you’re staring at your current device and wondering whats the new galaxy phone worth waiting for, the answer is currently a moving target. We are in that weird "limbo" month. It’s January 2026. Samsung just pushed out a massive security patch for the S25 and the Z Fold 7, but the real prize—the Galaxy S26 series—is still a few weeks away.

Honestly, the rumor mill has finally stopped spinning in circles and settled on a date. Mark your calendar for February 25, 2026. That is when Samsung is expected to hold its next Unpacked event in San Francisco.

I’ve been tracking these launches for years. Usually, by now, we’d be holding the new phones. But Samsung pushed things back a bit this year. Maybe they needed more time to bake the new AI features, or maybe they just wanted to avoid the post-CES hangover. Whatever the reason, if you want the "latest and greatest," you have two choices: buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra today or wait six weeks for the S26.

The S26 Ultra: What most people get wrong

There is a big misconception that every new Galaxy is a "ground-up" redesign. It’s not. If you look at the leaked dummy units from sources like OnLeaks and Ice Universe, the S26 Ultra looks a lot like the S25 Ultra. It’s still a big, glass-and-titanium slab.

But the "whats the new galaxy phone" question isn't just about looks. It’s about the guts.

Samsung is moving to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. That’s a mouthful, but the real-world impact is huge. Early benchmarks suggest a 35% jump in power efficiency. If you’re tired of your phone getting hot while playing Genshin Impact or filming 4K video, this is the upgrade you actually care about.

The Camera Island is changing

One detail that caught my eye in recent CAD renders is the camera layout. For the last few years, Samsung used the "floating lens" look—just individual circles on the back.

The S26 series is rumored to bring back a unified camera island. It’s a bit of a throwback. Some people hate it, saying it looks like an iPhone 17 Pro Max clone. Others like it because it prevents dust from getting stuck between the lenses. I’m just happy it might stop the phone from wobbling so much when it's sitting flat on a table.

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Whats the new galaxy phone bringing to the camera?

If you’re a spec-head, you’re probably looking for the "324MP sensor" rumors. Stop. That’s almost certainly not happening this year.

Instead, Samsung is doing something smarter. They are sticking with the 200MP main sensor but widening the aperture to f/1.4.

Why does that matter? Light.

The biggest struggle for smartphone cameras is low light. A wider aperture lets in significantly more light physically, rather than relying on AI to "guess" what the shadows look like. If you take a lot of photos at dinner or in dark bars, the S26 Ultra is going to be a massive leap over the S25.

• Main Sensor: 200MP with f/1.4 aperture (confirmed by multiple leakers).
• Telephoto: 50MP (5x zoom) with an improved f/2.9 aperture.
• Ultrawide: 50MP.

Samsung is basically admitting that they can’t just keep adding megapixels. They have to make the glass better. It's about time.

Why the "Edge" and "Pro" rumors died

A few months ago, everyone was convinced Samsung was going to release a "Galaxy S26 Edge" or an "S26 Pro." The idea was a thin, sleek flagship to compete with the rumored iPhone 17 Air.

It seems Samsung blinked.

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The latest production reports from The Elec show that they are sticking to the classic trio: the base S26, the S26 Plus, and the S26 Ultra.

The "Edge" was basically absorbed into the S25 lineup last year as a slimmed-down alternative, but for the 2026 cycle, they’re playing it safe. The S26 Plus is looking like a "carbon copy" of its predecessor, sporting a 6.7-inch screen and the same basic battery. If you want innovation, you have to go Ultra. There is no middle ground this year.

Flex Magic Pixel: The feature nobody talks about

There’s a rumor floating around about a new display tech called Flex Magic Pixel.

It sounds like marketing fluff, but it’s actually a built-in privacy screen. Think about those plastic films people buy to hide their screens from the person sitting next to them on the bus. Samsung is trying to bake that directly into the AMOLED panel.

You’d be able to toggle it on in settings, and the viewing angles would narrow so only the person directly in front of the phone could see the content. It’s the kind of feature that feels "Pro" and might actually be useful for people who handle sensitive work emails on the go.

Let's talk about the price tag

Here is the good news: Samsung is likely freezing prices.

Despite the fact that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and new M14 OLED panels cost a fortune to make, the competition is too fierce. With the iPhone 17 Pro and Google’s Pixel 10 cutting into their market share, Samsung can't afford a price hike.

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Expect the base Galaxy S26 to start at $799 and the Ultra to stay at $1,299.

Of course, they make up for that by not giving you a charger in the box and trying to sell you a 60W adapter separately. Speaking of charging, the Ultra is finally moving to 60W wired charging. It’s not the 100W+ speeds we see from Chinese brands like Xiaomi, but it’s better than the 45W we’ve been stuck with for years.

The "Foldable" alternative

If you're asking "whats the new galaxy phone" because you're bored of standard rectangles, you should look at the Galaxy Z TriFold.

It launched in limited markets late last year and is finally getting a wider release in 2026. It’s a literal flex. It has two hinges and opens up into a massive 10-inch tablet. It’s expensive, it’s thick, and it’s definitely not for everyone. But it is the most "new" phone Samsung has made in a decade.

If you aren't ready to spend $2,000 on a folding screen, the S26 Ultra is the sensible choice.

Actionable Next Steps

If you are looking to upgrade right now, don't buy the S25 Ultra at full price. We are too close to the February 25 launch event.

1. Check your trade-in value: Samsung usually offers "enhanced" trade-in credits during the pre-order window (Feb 25 - March 10). Your old S23 or S24 could be worth $700+ toward an S26.
2. Wait for the 60W announcement: If you decide to get the S26 Ultra, you’ll need a new power brick to hit those 60W speeds. Don't buy a generic 25W charger now.
3. Watch the AI updates: Samsung is expected to move many "Galaxy AI" features to a subscription model later this year. Keep an eye on whether the S26 includes a multi-year "free trial" of these features before you commit.

The Galaxy S26 isn't a revolution, but it fixes the two things that actually matter: low-light photography and battery efficiency. If you can wait until March, your patience will definitely be rewarded.