- Fresh editorial today lays out nine ways the Galaxy S26 Ultra could leapfrog Apple’s flagship — from a sleeker build and brighter screen to 60W charging, under‑display selfie camera, beefier AI, and DeX upgrades. Tom’s Guide
- New S26 Plus leaks (from late Monday) show a redesigned pill‑shaped camera island, a 6.7‑inch flat display, and dimensions of roughly 158.4 × 75.7 × 7.35 mm — plus magnets for Qi2 wireless charging. Android Headlines
- Lineup odds & ends: Reports suggest Samsung is sticking with S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra, with prior “Edge/Pro” experiments shelved, and a launch likely in early 2026. The Verge
S26 Plus: the “camera island” is back — and the Plus is back, too
High‑resolution CAD‑based renders shared by Android Headlines reveal a vertical, pill‑shaped camera island hosting three rear cameras (each still protruding individually), with the LED flash to the right. From the front, the phone keeps flat sides, symmetrical thin bezels, and a centered punch‑hole over a 6.7‑inch LTPO AMOLED (1–120Hz) panel. The rough dimensions are 158.4 × 75.7 × 7.35 mm, essentially matching the current Plus model’s thinness. Android Headlines
Under the hood, the Plus is tipped to follow Samsung’s dual‑chip strategy — Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in some regions and Exynos 2600 in others — with LPDDR5X (12–16GB) RAM options, UFS 4.0 storage, and 45W wired / Qi2 wireless charging. Android Headlines also notes Qi2 magnets inside, setting up MagSafe‑style accessory compatibility. Camera hardware changes look conservative for now. Android Headlines
On the meta front, The Verge’s write‑up underscores the 7.35 mm thickness, the revived Plus, and the idea that Samsung’s thin “Edge” pivot appears shelved (at least for this launch window). It also pegs the S26 debut for early 2026. The Verge
S26 Ultra: 9 ways Samsung could outgun iPhone 17 Pro Max
In a feature published today, Tom’s Guide argues Samsung has multiple avenues to reclaim the flagship crown with Galaxy S26 Ultra. Key rumored wins include: Tom’s Guide
- Thinner, rounder design: Leaks point to a sleeker chassis than S25 Ultra, with softened corners and a tweaked camera layout. Tom’s Guide
- Under‑display selfie camera: A first for a non‑foldable Galaxy, which would deliver a truly uninterrupted screen — if image quality holds up. Tom’s Guide
- Brighter, less reflective screen: A similar 6.9‑inch AMOLED is rumored, but with COE depolarizer tech and third‑gen anti‑reflective glass; a privacy‑oriented “Flex Magix” side‑visibility limiter is also floated. Tom’s Guide
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 + 16GB RAM (select regions): Early reference benchmarks suggest a big performance bump; Exynos may return in other markets. Tom’s Guide
- Bigger battery gains via efficiency: Even if capacity stays 5,000 mAh, efficiency should stretch runtime. Tom’s Guide
- 60W wired charging: Code hints in One UI 8.5 suggest a jump from 45W to 60W, accelerating top‑ups. Tom’s Guide
- More Galaxy AI features: Building on Cross App Actions and Now Brief, with potential lifts from Google’s latest Pixel tools. Tom’s Guide
- Low‑light camera upgrades: Rumors of a faster f/1.6 aperture on the 200MP main camera target brighter, cleaner night shots. Tom’s Guide
- DeX polish: Expect desktop‑mode refinements that keep Samsung ahead of Apple on “phone‑as‑PC” flexibility. Tom’s Guide
Reality check: Tom’s Guide frames these as rumored or plausible updates assembled from credible leaks; nothing is official until Samsung’s Unpacked. Tom’s Guide
What this means for shoppers right now
- If you like Samsung’s clean, lens‑only backs, the S26 Plus’s camera island is a stylistic turn — but it could also reduce table wobble and visually organize the optics. The footprint remains familiar. Android Headlines
- Qi2 magnets widen the Galaxy ecosystem to easier snap‑on chargers and accessories (think Apple MagSafe convenience, Android‑style). Android Headlines
- On the Ultra, charging speed, display visibility, and AI workflows look like the big year‑over‑year quality‑of‑life wins to watch. Tom’s Guide
Release timing, naming and lineup — where things stand
- Models: Expect Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. “Edge” and “Pro” appear sidelined after months of naming whiplash in the rumor mill. The Verge
- When: Multiple reports point to early 2026 for the launch window; some outlets have floated a January announcement, but Samsung hasn’t set a date. The Verge
The bottom line
Today’s update crystallizes two threads. First, the Plus is back and bringing a distinct camera look without changing the hand feel much. Second, the Ultra’s rumored upgrades target non‑spec experiences — speedier charging, brighter/cleaner screens, smarter AI tools, and a tidier design — the sort of everyday improvements that win users over more than megapixel math. If you’re due to upgrade, the case for waiting a few months is getting stronger. Tom’s Guide
Sources
- John Velasco, “9 ways Galaxy S26 Ultra could beat iPhone 17 Pro Max,” Tom’s Guide, published Nov. 11, 2025. Tom’s Guide
- Alexander Maxham, “Exclusive: Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus Official CAD Renders & Rumors,” Android Headlines, updated Nov. 10, 2025. Android Headlines
- Dominic Preston, “Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus reappears in renders with a new camera island,” The Verge, published Nov. 10, 2025. The Verge
