Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Launch Delayed: Here’s When You Can Actually Buy It
Samsung fans need to wait a bit longer than usual this year. The Galaxy S26 series launch has shifted to late February, breaking the company’s traditional January timeline. Trusted leaker Evan Blass confirms February 25, 2026 as the official Unpacked event date—and he’s calling it “100% correct.”
Here’s the twist: announcing the phone and buying it are two different things. Samsung typically opens pre-orders immediately after Unpacked, but retail availability won’t kick in until early March. That means you’re looking at roughly two weeks between the big reveal and actually holding the device in your hands.
Why Samsung Pushed Back the Galaxy S26 Unpacked Event
Samsung usually unveils its flagship Galaxy S series in late January. The Galaxy S25 launched on January 22, 2025, hitting stores by February 7. Before that, the Galaxy S24 arrived on January 17, 2024.
This year’s February 25 date marks a noticeable delay—roughly four weeks later than last year’s event.
Industry rumors suggest Samsung made last-minute development changes. The company reportedly scrapped plans for a Galaxy S26 Edge model and decided to stick with the standard Galaxy S26 Plus instead. These production adjustments likely contributed to the postponed timeline.
Galaxy S26 Series: Exact Release Date and Pre-Order Window
Multiple sources point to March 11, 2026 as the retail launch date. A French report from Dealabs first revealed this date, which aligns perfectly with Samsung’s historical release patterns.
Here’s what the timeline looks like:
- February 25, 2026: Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco
- February 25, 2026: Pre-orders open immediately after announcement
- March 11, 2026: Phones ship to customers and arrive in retail stores
Samsung consistently maintains a two-week gap between announcement and availability. Looking at past launches, the Galaxy S25 took 16 days, while the Galaxy S24 needed exactly one month.
March 11 falls on a Wednesday, though some analysts speculate Samsung might adjust to Friday, March 13, since the company traditionally prefers Friday releases for major flagships.
What Models Are Coming: S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra Confirmed
Samsung will launch three models during the February event:
Galaxy S26: The base model targeting mainstream users Galaxy S26 Plus: Mid-tier option with larger display and battery Galaxy S26 Ultra: Premium flagship with top-tier specs
Earlier speculation suggested Samsung might replace the base S26 with an “S26 Pro” and swap the Plus for an “S26 Edge.” Those plans got abandoned in November 2025. Samsung restarted development on the Galaxy S26 Plus, with production reportedly beginning in January 2026.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will dominate the lineup with exclusive features like 60W fast charging and potentially Qi2 wireless charging support—a first for Samsung flagships.
Pricing Strategy: Will the S26 Cost More?
Samsung faces a tricky balancing act with pricing. Global memory shortages have driven up production costs significantly, putting pressure on the company to raise prices.
Here’s how Samsung plans to handle regional pricing:
South Korea: Prices expected to increase by $30-$60 across all S26 models—the first major price hike since 2023
United States: Samsung will likely freeze prices to compete directly with Apple’s iPhone lineup
According to multiple Korean media reports, Samsung wants to maintain the same pricing structure as the Galaxy S25 series in most markets:
- Galaxy S26: $799
- Galaxy S26 Plus: $999
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: $1,299
Storage configurations will offer 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options, with higher-tier models commanding premium prices.
Confirmed Specs and Features Leaking Out
The Galaxy S26 Ultra gets most of the attention in early leaks. Here’s what reliable sources have confirmed:
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the U.S.; Exynos 2600 will power 25% of base S26 and S26 Plus units in Asia and Europe
Design: Refined corners that are slightly more rounded than the S25 Ultra; redesigned S Pen with rounded upper tip to match device curves
Charging: Upgraded to 60W wired charging (up from 45W on S25 Ultra)
Camera: Prominent camera island on the back; specific sensor details still under wraps
Software: One UI 8.5 with AI-powered Bixby integration using Perplexity AI for complex queries
Samsung appears to be moving away from titanium frames, opting instead for aluminum construction to manage costs. The privacy display feature might extend to all S26 models, not just the Ultra.
How This Compares to Previous Galaxy S Launches
Samsung’s launch patterns have remained consistent until now:
Galaxy S25: Announced January 22, 2025 → Released February 7, 2025 (16-day gap) Galaxy S24: Announced January 17, 2024 → Released February 17, 2024 (31-day gap) Galaxy S23: Announced February 1, 2023 → Released February 17, 2023 (16-day gap)
The Galaxy S26 breaks this mold with a late-February announcement. The roughly two-week pre-order window matches Samsung’s standard practice, but the delayed Unpacked event pushes everything into March.
This shift might work in Samsung’s favor. Launching in early March positions the S26 series to compete with other spring flagship releases while avoiding the crowded January-February window.
What to Expect at Galaxy Unpacked 2026
The February 25 event in San Francisco will serve as Samsung’s flagship showcase for 2026. Beyond the S26 series, Samsung typically uses Unpacked to announce:
- New Galaxy Watch models
- Updated Galaxy Buds
- Software feature demonstrations
- One UI updates and AI capabilities
Samsung won’t reveal foldable devices at this event. The Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 typically debut during a second summer Unpacked event, so expect those announcements around July 2026.
The company might also use the gap created by the delayed S26 launch to announce its Galaxy A-series devices. The Galaxy A37 and A57 are reportedly ready, with demo units already sent to reviewers.
Should You Wait for the Galaxy S26 or Buy S25 Now?
The Galaxy S25 series has already seen significant discounts in early 2026. Some carriers and retailers are offering trade-in deals that bring prices down substantially.
Consider waiting for the S26 if you want:
- 60W fast charging (Ultra model only)
- Slightly refined design with rounded corners
- Latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
- Potentially longer software support timeline
Buy the S25 now if:
- You can’t wait until March
- Current discounts make the price difference significant
- You don’t need the incremental upgrades the S26 offers
- You prefer the current design language
The improvements from S25 to S26 appear evolutionary rather than revolutionary. For most users, the decision will come down to timing and pricing rather than must-have features.
Frequently Asked Questions About Galaxy S26 Release
When will Samsung Galaxy S26 be released in stores?
Samsung will release the Galaxy S26 series on March 11, 2026, approximately two weeks after the February 25 Unpacked announcement. Pre-orders open immediately after the event, but retail availability and customer shipments begin in mid-March. This follows Samsung’s traditional pattern of a two-week gap between unveiling and general availability.
How much will the Galaxy S26 Ultra cost at launch?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299 for the 256GB model in the United States, matching the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s launch price. Samsung decided to freeze prices in the U.S. market to compete with Apple’s iPhone lineup, despite rising production costs from global memory shortages. Higher storage configurations (512GB and 1TB) will cost more, though exact pricing hasn’t been confirmed.
What’s different between Galaxy S26 and S25 models?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra features 60W fast charging (up from 45W), a refined design with slightly rounder corners, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. Samsung also redesigned the S Pen to match the device’s curves and may include Qi2 wireless charging support. The improvements are evolutionary rather than revolutionary, focusing on charging speed, processing power, and subtle design refinements.
Why is Samsung announcing Galaxy S26 in February instead of January?
Samsung delayed the Galaxy S26 Unpacked event to February 25, 2026, roughly four weeks later than usual. Industry reports suggest the delay stems from last-minute development changes—Samsung scrapped plans for a Galaxy S26 Edge model and restarted production on the Galaxy S26 Plus instead. These manufacturing adjustments pushed back the launch timeline from the traditional late-January window.
