Fresh Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks suggest Samsung may drop its popular “double storage” pre-order deal, tweak the Ultra’s camera layout and S Pen slot, and add pro-grade video controls via One UI 8.5’s Camera Assistant.
Samsung’s next flagship phones — the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra — aren’t official yet, but the leak pipeline is already overflowing as 2025 closes. Today’s reports paint a familiar (and slightly frustrating) picture: incremental hardware changes, a bigger emphasis on software and camera processing, and a growing possibility that prices rise while pre-order freebies shrink.
Here’s what’s making headlines on December 31, 2025 — and what it could mean if you’re planning to upgrade in early 2026.
What’s new today
- A popular Samsung pre-order incentive may be cut: multiple reports echo a claim that the Galaxy S26 launch could skip the long-running “double storage” deal, while pricing may also climb. [1]
- New Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra dummy units are leaking: the clearest looks yet show a renewed “camera island” approach and changes to how the Ultra’s S Pen sits/slots into the frame. [2]
- One UI 8.5’s Camera Assistant may add pro-level controls: an APK/code teardown suggests Samsung is developing “Video softening” plus autofocus speed/sensitivity controls — likely aimed at the S26 Ultra’s camera crowd. [3]
1) The pre-order deal Samsung fans actually use could be on the chopping block
For the past few Galaxy S launches, Samsung has leaned heavily on one crowd-pleasing incentive: pre-ordering gets you a higher storage model at the price of the base storage model. That “double storage” offer has effectively become a predictable way to reduce buyer hesitation during launch week.
Now, a tipster claim circulating on X suggests Samsung could drop that double-storage pre-order promotion for the Galaxy S26 lineup — and potentially introduce the phones at a higher price than the Galaxy S25 series. [4]
SamMobile describes the rumor plainly: Samsung may not offer the “double storage” deal for Galaxy S26 pre-orders, meaning buyers wouldn’t get a free jump to the next storage tier. [5] Android Headlines similarly reports that the higher-storage variant would no longer be bundled at the base-model price during pre-orders, while also pointing to talk of a “significant price hike.” [6]
A separate roundup from The Indian Express also flags the same possibility: prices may rise, and the free storage upgrade perk could disappear if memory and storage supply pressures continue. [7]
Why would Samsung cut it?
No outlet has confirmation from Samsung — these are still rumors — but the logic is straightforward: storage and memory costs have been a recurring theme in S26 pricing chatter, and removing a high-cost pre-order bonus is an easy lever to pull without changing the spec sheet. [8]
2) Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra dummy units: camera island returns, corners soften, S Pen details shift
Hardware leaks today aren’t just about specs — they’re about the shape of Samsung’s next flagship identity.
A “camera island” look may be back
A set of highly detailed dummy units (often used by case and accessory makers ahead of launch) provides one of the clearest early looks at the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra. Gizmochina reports these units show a more unified rear-camera design, shifting away from the individually raised camera rings seen on recent Galaxy S models and toward a larger camera island aesthetic. [9]
Gadgets360, citing images shared by leaker Steve H. McFly (OnLeaks), describes the Ultra’s rear camera arrangement as three lenses aligned vertically inside a raised camera island, while a fourth sensor protrudes separately — a change from the S25 Ultra’s individually placed lenses. [10]
S Pen placement looks tweaked on the Ultra
If you’re an S Pen user, the Ultra’s frame details may matter as much as the camera bump. Hindustan Times reports the leaked dummy video suggests the S Pen placement sits further into the extreme corner, “right along the curvature,” alongside the new camera island approach. [11]
Gizmochina also notes the S26 Ultra’s integrated S Pen appears adjusted, describing a more flush fit and a rounded cap detail on the dummy units. [12]
Rounded corners for a more uniform lineup feel
The same dummy leaks point to a subtle ergonomics pivot: slightly more rounded corners and edges, likely to improve in-hand comfort and reduce the “sharp brick” feel some users associate with Ultra models. [13]
Bottom line: If these dummies are accurate, Samsung’s design strategy for 2026 looks like measured refinement, not reinvention — with the biggest visual change being a shift toward a more consolidated camera module. [14]
3) One UI 8.5 Camera Assistant leak hints at “pro mode” video controls coming to Galaxy S26 Ultra
If the hardware story sounds conservative, Samsung may be trying to create differentiation through software camera controls — and today’s most interesting development is inside Samsung’s Good Lock ecosystem.
Android Authority reports that code spotted in the Camera Assistant Good Lock module points to upcoming toggles for:
- “Video softening” (with Off / Medium / High levels)
- Autofocus “speed and sensitivity” controls, including “shift sensitivity” and “transition speed” [15]
Camera Assistant already offers “Picture softening” for photos, and the report suggests a video equivalent could help users who feel Galaxy video looks too “harsh” or over-sharpened. [16]
Importantly, Android Authority notes these features are not enabled in the One UI 8.5 beta 2 currently available for the Galaxy S25 series — a hint that Samsung may be saving them for the next flagship launch, potentially the Galaxy S26 Ultra. [17]
And because this is teardown-based reporting, there’s a built-in caveat: the presence of strings and in-development code does not guarantee these options ship publicly. [18]
Why it matters:
These controls are the kind of settings that mobile videographers and creators have been asking for — not more megapixels, but more control over how the camera behaves when tracking subjects and rendering faces.
4) Everything else being rumored today: chips, RAM, battery, charging, and cameras
A Dec. 31 roundup by The Indian Express pulls together the broader rumor landscape:
Launch timing: early 2026 is still the expectation
Samsung hasn’t announced an Unpacked date, but the outlet points to Samsung’s recent timing — late January for the S24 and early February for the S25 — as the reason many expect the S26 series in early 2026. [19]
Lineup names: back to the familiar trio
Earlier talk suggested possible naming shakeups (like a “Pro” model), but the roundup says current leaks point to Samsung sticking with Galaxy S26 / S26 Plus / S26 Ultra. [20]
Performance: Snapdragon vs Exynos (again)
The report says the S26 series is expected to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with discussions around using Exynos 2600 in certain markets. [21]
Memory and storage: a possible RAM bump
One of the more striking claims in the roundup: all models could be slated for 16GB of RAM, while storage starting points may remain split (base model starting lower than the Ultra). [22]
Battery and charging: “stacked battery” rumors + Qi2 talk
The roundup describes rumors of a stacked battery approach to increase capacity without expanding size, including a claim of 5,500mAh for the Ultra and around 4,300mAh for the standard model (as reported in the leak roundup). It also says wired charging could remain similar while wireless charging may improve toward Qi2. [23]
Cameras: mixed picture depending on the model
For cameras, the roundup suggests the Ultra may keep a 200MP primary camera (possibly with a new ISOCELL sensor) and could add features like variable aperture and a dual periscope zoom configuration, while the standard models may remain closer to current triple-camera setups. [24]
What this means for buyers heading into 2026
If you’re trying to decide whether to wait for Galaxy S26 or buy something now, today’s leaks imply a few practical takeaways:
- Pre-order value may change — and not in your favor.
If the double-storage deal disappears and prices rise, early adopters could lose one of the best “buy now” incentives Samsung offers. [25] - The Ultra may be the “real upgrade” again.
Design tweaks, camera island changes, S Pen adjustments, and pro-level camera controls are all trending Ultra-first in leak coverage. [26] - Software may do more of the heavy lifting than new hardware.
The Camera Assistant findings are a reminder that Samsung can meaningfully change the camera experience via One UI updates — even if sensors and megapixels stay similar. [27]
Quick FAQ (for Google Discover)
When is the Samsung Galaxy S26 coming out?
Samsung hasn’t announced it, but multiple roundups expect an early 2026 launch window based on recent Galaxy S timing. [28]
Will Samsung really remove the “double storage” pre-order deal?
It’s not confirmed, but multiple outlets cite the same tipster claim that Samsung may skip it for the S26 series. [29]
What’s the biggest design change in today’s leaks?
Leaked dummy units suggest the return of a camera island style on the rear, and changes around the Ultra’s S Pen slot/placement. [30]
What’s the most interesting camera rumor today?
A teardown points to Video softening and more advanced autofocus speed/sensitivity controls inside the Camera Assistant Good Lock module, potentially aimed at the S26 Ultra. [31]
References
1. www.sammobile.com, 2. www.gizmochina.com, 3. www.androidauthority.com, 4. www.sammobile.com, 5. www.sammobile.com, 6. www.androidheadlines.com, 7. indianexpress.com, 8. www.androidheadlines.com, 9. www.gizmochina.com, 10. www.gadgets360.com, 11. www.hindustantimes.com, 12. www.gizmochina.com, 13. www.gizmochina.com, 14. www.gizmochina.com, 15. www.androidauthority.com, 16. www.androidauthority.com, 17. www.androidauthority.com, 18. www.androidauthority.com, 19. indianexpress.com, 20. indianexpress.com, 21. indianexpress.com, 22. indianexpress.com, 23. indianexpress.com, 24. indianexpress.com, 25. www.sammobile.com, 26. www.gizmochina.com, 27. www.androidauthority.com, 28. indianexpress.com, 29. www.sammobile.com, 30. www.gizmochina.com, 31. www.androidauthority.com
