Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+: Playing It Safe in 2026?

Samsung is all set to unveil its next flagship lineup at the Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, where the company is expected to launch the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Samsung Galaxy S26+, alongside the S26 Ultra.

While most of the spotlight is usually on the Ultra, the S26 and S26+ could end up grabbing headlines this year, as current reports suggest that Samsung may offer the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset in regions like the USA. At the same time, other markets could receive the Exynos 2600 variant. And honestly, this regional chipset split is always controversial, especially for buyers in markets that might not get the Snapdragon version. Let’s hope the Exynos variant doesn’t end up in Nepal.

But what else are we getting with the S26 and S26+? Let’s take a closer look at the latest reports and leaks.

What is the Price of the Samsung S26/ S26+ in Nepal?

There are indications that Samsung may raise the prices of its upcoming phones due to rising chip costs. However, some leaks also suggest that the company may try to keep pricing unchanged, at least in the U.S. market.

A recent report from Korea claims that Samsung has finalized the pricing for the 256GB and 512GB variants of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Samsung Galaxy S26+. According to the report, the 256GB variants of the S26 and S26+ are expected to be priced at KRW 1,254,000 (approximately USD 875) and KRW 1,452,000 (approximately USD 1,015), respectively. This represents around a 9% increase compared to the previous S25 models.

With the ongoing memory shortage, a price hike seems highly likely, though the final pricing could vary significantly depending on the market. As a result, it is still too early to accurately predict the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ price in Nepal. For now, all we can do is wait for the Unpacked event and hope for the best.

Now that we’ve covered the price, let’s dive into the leaked specifications of the S26 and S26+.

Samsung S26/ S26+ Overview

Leaked renders suggest that the overall design and dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Samsung Galaxy S26+ will remain largely unchanged.

The most noticeable visual update appears to be the addition of a camera island, with the camera rings now integrated into a raised bump, similar to the design seen on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Personally, I prefer this approach over the individual camera rings on the Samsung Galaxy S25.

Leaked specifications suggest that the display will not see any major upgrades this year. However, there is expected to be a slight increase in size for the Samsung Galaxy S26, which is reportedly set to feature a 6.3-inch screen, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is expected to retain the 6.7-inch display. Both models are likely to use Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO panels with a 120Hz refresh rate.

More importantly, both the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Samsung Galaxy S26+ are also rumoured to feature the anti-reflective coating, one of the standout display features that debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

ALSO READ: Samsung Mobile Price in Nepal (February 2026 Updated)

In terms of performance, the latest reports suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Samsung Galaxy S26+ will feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset in regions like the U.S., while some markets like Korea may receive the Exynos 2600 variant.

The last time Samsung followed this split strategy was with the Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup, and unfortunately, Nepal received the Exynos version, which was slightly inferior to its Snapdragon counterpart. If the same happens again, it could be disappointing for local buyers.

As for storage and memory, the S26 and S26+ are likely to be available in two storage configurations: 256GB and 512GB with 12GB RAM.

So far, the S26 lineup is feeling somewhat underwhelming, with no major upgrades to get excited about. Based on current reports, even the camera department is expected to remain unchanged, likely as part of Samsung’s plan to avoid significant price hikes.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ will feature a 50MP primary sensor, paired with a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. On the front, the 12MP selfie camera is also expected to remain unchanged.

Similarly, only the Samsung Galaxy S26 is expected to receive a minor battery upgrade, increasing slightly from 4000mAh to 4300mAh. The Samsung Galaxy S26+, on the other hand, is likely to retain its existing 4900mAh battery. Charging speeds are also expected to remain unchanged at 25W and 45W, respectively, which feels a bit disappointing in today’s fast-charging era.

On the brighter side, wireless charging is reportedly being upgraded to Qi2 25W. However, current reports suggest that the phones may still lack built-in native Qi2 magnets, meaning users might need compatible cases to fully take advantage of the feature.

As expected, the S26 series will come with One UI 8.5 on top of Android 16 with up to 7 major Android upgrades.

ALSO READ: iPhone 17 Price in Nepal (February 2026 Updated)

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ appear to be incremental upgrades rather than bold new flagships. With familiar cameras, minor display enhancements, and modest battery improvements, this year’s lineup feels more like a refinement than a reinvention. On top of that, the possibility of some regions missing out on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset is a major letdown.

Further reinforcing the leaked specifications, reports suggest that Samsung is intentionally holding back on major hardware upgrades in order to keep pricing close to the S25 series. While this strategy may make sense from a business standpoint, it also makes the S26 lineup feel less exciting than many had hoped. Personally, I was expecting more, especially in the camera and battery departments. And, this feels like a missed opportunity.

Now, the real question is whether we will see a significant price hike or just a modest one. There’s also the possibility that Samsung is saving a few surprises for the main event. For now, we’ll have to wait for the official unveiling to find out.

What are your thoughts on the leaked specs of the Samsung S26 series? Let us know in the comments below!