65%
Probable
The cancellation of Galaxy S26 Edge due to underwhelming Galaxy S25 Edge sales caused a temporary progress slump for Samsung, as the latter was apparently forced to delay the base model’s and Galaxy S26 Plus’ development while proceeding with the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s mass production schedule.
Fortunately, the latest update states that the Korean giant is targeting a January announcement for its flagship smartphone series, with a release happening in February. Unfortunately, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could receive a price hike next year, with Samsung bringing its Exynos 2600 to the new series, but it will not power all devices.
Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will exclusively feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with the Exynos 2600 powering the less expensive flagships
Information published by Chosun reveals that Samsung had previously eyed a March launch, but due to poor Galaxy S25 Edge sales, it was forced to re-evaluate its current position. Fortunately, there will be no delay for any model, with a person familiar with the company’s plans stating the following:
“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.”
As for the decision to equip every flagship with the Exynos 2600, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which was mentioned by an analyst, that will not be happening. Only the base and ‘Plus’ variants will be kitted with Samsung’s first 2nm GAA SoC, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra will exclusively ship with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with the device’s price expected to see a bump due to increased component costs and tariffs.
Now, the choice to use Qualcomm’s flagship silicon can hint that the Exynos 2600 is inferior to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but there is also the possibility of ‘lower than expected’ yields for the 2nm GAA process. For instance, a previous report mentioned that the Exynos 2600 was too premature to be used in all models, with Samsung only managing 15,000 monthly wafers of its in-house chipset.
Thankfully, Samsung’s decision to keep the prices of the remaining Galaxy S26 models allows the majority of the lineup to remain competitive with rivals while offering top-notch features. We will wait for the company’s announcements surrounding the Exynos 2600 and Galaxy Unpacked, so readers are recommended to wait for more updates from our end.
News Source: Chosun
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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