A number of studies from Korea stated up to now few weeks that Samsung reshuffled the Galaxy S26 collection throughout improvement — an uncommon strategy from the corporate. The leaks stated Samsung modified the Galaxy S26 lineup, canceling the unreleased Galaxy S26 Edge in favor of the Plus. Additionally, the Android vendor determined to make use of the Exynos 2600 chip in some Galaxy S26 fashions. The Galaxy S26 collection can be delayed because of these adjustments. Nevertheless it turns on the market may be one other essential issue that will have satisfied Samsung to change the Galaxy S26 collection: The $799 iPhone 17 mannequin, which is sort of nearly as good because the $999 iPhone 17 Professional Max.
In accordance with Korean information website NewsPim, Apple’s resolution to maintain the $799 price ticket in place for the iPhone 17 regardless of giving the handset a number of upgrades shocked Samsung. The corporate determined that the $799 value might be a key issue for the bottom Galaxy S26. In consequence, Samsung reportedly modified the Galaxy S26 design and specs despite the fact that the handset practically accomplished the event cycle. Sadly, that is unhealthy information for patrons, because the Galaxy S26 design and specs have been nerfed so it will probably hit Samsung’s desired value factors.
Whereas the Galaxy S26 ought to begin at $799 to match Apple’s least expensive iPhone 17 choice, Samsung may enhance the costs of the Plus and Extremely fashions. The report says these value hikes are unavoidable, given the upper prices for some parts.
Huge battery compromise for the Galaxy S26
NewsPim claims that Samsung’s preliminary Galaxy S26 model had a thickness of 6.9 mm, or 0.3 mm thinner than its predecessor. The battery capability was set at 4,900 mAh. The telephone was purported to be a slim premium system. Samsung modified course abruptly final month, deciding to revert to the Galaxy S25 thickness and scale back the battery capability to 4,300 mAh to economize. It is nonetheless a slight enhance over the Galaxy S25’s 4,000 mAh battery. The report notes {that a} Samsung official aware of the matter stated that it is uncommon for such changes to be made when the design of the telephone is sort of completed. Nevertheless, sticking with the $799 value is a precedence at Samsung, contemplating the reception the iPhone 17 acquired. The bottom iPhone 17 has been offered out constantly since September, with NewsPim citing transport delays of as much as one month.
A costlier common Galaxy S26 mannequin might turn out to be an issue, making it tougher for Samsung to compete with Apple. It is unclear what different specs Samsung might need altered to hit that $799 value level. The report notes that the adjustments to the bottom specs for the Galaxy S26 Plus and Extremely usually are not vital. The Plus could have the identical thickness and battery capability as its predecessor. The Extremely might be 0.3 mm thinner than this 12 months’s mannequin nevertheless it’ll characteristic an analogous 5,000 mAh battery. The Galaxy S26 and Plus fashions will are available in Exynos 2600 variations in Korea and Europe, whereas the Extremely will characteristic Qualcomm’s Snapdragon flagship chip worldwide. The Galaxy S26 Extremely may even get an unique show characteristic, Samsung’s Flex Magic Pixel which includes a characteristic that lets customers activate a privateness show mode.
