Samsung fans anticipating the Galaxy S26’s early 2026 debut may have to wait longer than expected. For years, Samsung has unveiled its Galaxy S flagship phones early in the year, typically in January or February. However, new supply chain reports suggest that the next Unpacked event could be pushed back.
According to The Elec, a respected Korean tech publication, Samsung will begin mass production of the Galaxy S26 Plus only in January 2026—later than usual. This timeline likely rules out a January launch, with February now appearing more plausible.
Production Timeline and Model Changes
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected to make up roughly half of all Galaxy S26 shipments, will reportedly enter mass production first, in January. The standard Galaxy S26 and the S26 Plus will follow about a month later.
Initially, Samsung had planned to produce three models starting in December: the base Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and the Galaxy S26 Edge. However, due to weak sales of previous “Edge” models, Samsung canceled that variant and decided to introduce the S26 Plus instead.
While the base and Ultra models have completed development, the Plus version still requires additional finalization, expected to take one to two months before mass production can begin.
Delays Driven by Component Readiness
Samsung’s manufacturing timetable appears to hinge on component approvals. The Elec notes that the OLED display for the Galaxy S26 Ultra has already been approved for production, but the screens for the standard and Plus models will not be finalized until December. Other components are slated for production in November, with select parts entering mass manufacturing in December once development across all models is complete.
What This Means for the Launch Date
Samsung reportedly halted development of the Galaxy S26 Edge last week, a move consistent with earlier rumors about major changes in the S26 lineup. Multiple regional reports—from Korea to Greece—have hinted that these adjustments could delay the flagship’s debut.
Historically, Samsung has stuck to a precise release cadence:
- Galaxy S23 – February 1, 2023
- Galaxy S24 – January 17, 2024
- Galaxy S25 – January 22, 2025
Each launch occurred in California, with preorders opening immediately and shipments starting two weeks later.
If production setbacks persist, Samsung may opt to delay its first Unpacked event of 2026 or stagger the rollout—launching the Galaxy S26 Ultra first, followed by the base and Plus models at a later date.
For now, Samsung has made no official comment regarding the Galaxy S26 lineup or launch schedule, leaving its fans and industry watchers waiting for confirmation in the coming months.
