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Samsung appears to be rethinking its priorities for the Galaxy S26 lineup. Recent leaks suggest the company is focused more on holding prices steady than chasing ever-thinner designs — a move that could reshape expectations for the next flagship series.
Keeping the starting price steady — what we know
Insiders say Samsung aims to launch the Galaxy S26 series at the same price points as the Galaxy S25. The reported target: a $799 base model, identical to last year’s entry-level S25 and matching Apple’s iPhone 17 starting price. That pricing strategy would signal Samsung’s intent to prioritize affordability and competitive positioning over headline-grabbing design changes.
Thinness and battery: the plans that might have been
Earlier leaks hinted the S26 could shave off thickness — one tip claimed Samsung nearly settled on a 6.9 mm chassis for the base model, 0.3 mm slimmer than its predecessor. Even more audacious was a rumored battery boost: a jump from 4,000 mAh on the S25 to as much as 4,900 mAh.
That larger-battery plan now sounds unlikely. More recent reports say the battery target has been scaled back to around 4,300 mAh — still an improvement, but far from the massive increase originally suggested. The takeaway: Samsung may be trading extreme design ambitions for a more balanced approach that preserves cost and real-world usability.
Why the shift matters to buyers and the market
Why should you care? If Samsung holds prices steady while modestly improving battery life and keeping a refined look, buyers get better value without having to chase thinness at any cost. For the market, it’s a sign that OEMs are weighing consumer sensitivity to price more heavily — especially as rival brands push performance and camera upgrades.
Still just rumors — expect changes
None of these details are confirmed. The idea of a much slimmer phone with nearly 1,000 mAh extra capacity always sounded optimistic unless Samsung had a last-minute breakthrough in battery tech, like silicon-carbon cells. The company could still revise specs or pricing before launch.
For now, the rumor mill points to affordability and practical upgrades rather than dramatic redesigns. We should learn more as Samsung approaches the rumored February 2026 launch window for the Galaxy S26 series.
Source: sammobile
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