Samsung Galaxy S26 Pricing Stays ‘Frozen’ with Expected February Launch; Exynos 2600 Not Included in All Models

How We Evaluate Rumors

0-20%: Unlikely – Lacks credible sources 21-40%: Questionable – Some concerns remain 41-60%: Plausible – Reasonable evidence 61-80%: Probable – Strong evidence 81-100%: Highly Likely – Multiple reliable sources

Rumor Assessment

65%

Status: Probable

Source: 2/5

Corroboration: 3/5

Technical: 4/5

Timeline: 4/5

The cancellation of the Galaxy S26 Edge—attributed to disappointing sales figures from the Galaxy S25 Edge—has momentarily hindered Samsung’s progress. Reportedly, this setback has prompted a delay in the development of both the base S26 model and the Galaxy S26 Plus, although production of the premium Galaxy S26 Ultra is moving forward as planned.

In positive news, recent updates indicate that Samsung is aiming for a flagship smartphone launch in February 2026, maintaining last year’s price points. Additionally, the forthcoming Exynos 2600 chipset will soon make its debut, although it is not intended for all device variants.

Galaxy S26 Ultra to Feature Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

According to detailed reports from Chosun, Samsung initially planned a March release. However, following the lackluster performance of the Galaxy S25 Edge, they were compelled to reassess their strategy. Fortunately, insiders reveal that despite the challenges, the launch dates for all models remain intact.

“The hardware verification period was extended when the Edge model was removed and the Plus model was added, which almost delayed the launch, but this issue has been resolved, making a February launch possible next year.”

Notably, there are discussions about equipping every flagship model with the Exynos 2600—an assertion made by some analysts. However, this will not be the case; only the base and ‘Plus’ models will utilize Samsung’s newly developed 2nm GAA SoC, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to exclusively feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

This strategic choice raises questions about the performance of the Exynos 2600 compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Some sources suggest that production yields for the 2nm GAA process might be lower than anticipated. Previous reports indicated that Samsung could only produce 15, 000 wafers of the Exynos 2600 per month, suggesting it might not yet be ready for widespread application.

Amidst these developments, Samsung’s decision to keep the pricing for the Galaxy S26 series consistent allows the new lineup to remain competitive with its rivals while still delivering premium features. As the company continues its preparations for the Exynos 2600 launch and the much-anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event, we encourage readers to stay tuned for further updates.

For more information, refer to the news source: Chosun.

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