Several reports last month suggested that Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup would arrive later than usual due to significant internal changes. According to a new report from Korean outlet MT, those reports appear accurate. Samsung is now expected to unveil the Galaxy S26 series at an Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 25, with preorders likely opening immediately after. The devices should begin shipping and hit stores in early March, more than a month later than Samsung’s traditional mid-January to early-February launch window.
MT claims Samsung has already finalized the Unpacked event schedule and begun preparations, though the company has yet to make a public announcement. The last Galaxy S launch in San Francisco was in 2023 for the S23 series. Samsung is reportedly returning to the Bay Area to highlight its position in the heart of the global AI hub, continuing to market its new flagships as AI-first smartphones.
Samsung introduced its Galaxy AI platform with the Galaxy S24 series in early 2024 and has steadily expanded the technology since. Every major Galaxy release now launches as a Galaxy AI-ready device, further embedding artificial intelligence features across Samsung’s ecosystem.
Why the Galaxy S26 Is Delayed
According to previous reports, two major factors are driving the delay. First, Samsung has changed its product lineup strategy. The company will reportedly bring back the Galaxy S26 Plus model while discontinuing the Edge variant. Earlier plans had included the Galaxy S26 Pro, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra, but poor feedback surrounding the S25 Edge prompted Samsung to revert to its familiar three-tier system: standard, Plus, and Ultra.
The late-stage development of the reintroduced S26 Plus model has pushed back the production schedule, and MT notes this lineup reshuffle is a primary reason behind the delay.
Another key factor is Samsung’s chip strategy. Reports indicate that the new Exynos 2600 processor is both powerful and easier to manufacture at scale. As a result, Samsung plans to power more S26 models, including the Ultra, with its in-house Exynos chip—a notable shift after several years of Snapdragon exclusivity for the Ultra model. This change could also be contributing to the postponed launch timeline.
The Push for Advanced Galaxy AI
MT further reports that Samsung aims to make the S26 lineup a major leap forward in AI integration. The company reportedly wants to surpass competitors in on-device intelligence and may introduce built-in AI agents, complementing the existing Galaxy AI and Google Gemini capabilities. While details about these agents remain scarce, they are expected to enhance user interactions and automate tasks.
If the delay stems partly from hardware or AI adjustments, it could ultimately benefit Samsung, granting its AI engineering teams more time to polish the next generation of Galaxy AI experiences before unveiling its most advanced smartphones yet.
