Galaxy Unpacked is today — 3 biggest Galaxy S26 rumors I'm most excited about

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S25 Plus vs S25 — (Image credit: Future)

Galaxy Unpacked 2026 is happening tomorrow, and with anticipation rising for what Samsung will announce at its marquee event, there are still a lot of questions surrounding what we’ll actually see. There have been plenty of Galaxy S26 rumors in the last month alone, which give us more clues as to what might happen.

That’s why I want to share these last-minute Galaxy S26 rumors and determine if they’re likely to happen or not. From upgraded camera hardware to new AI-assisted software features, these rumors add a lot of weight to the idea of making Samsung’s new devices some of the best phones around this year.

Privacy Display

If there’s one rumor I was initially skeptical about, but has since been leaked innumerable times to convince me it might be one of the most underrated phone features this year, it has to be none other than the Privacy Display.

First of all, it’s tipped to be an exclusive feature tied to the Galaxy S26 Ultra — which makes sense given it’s expected to be the top-of-the-line model in the lineup. In a leaked video, the feature is shown off with an option for “maximum privacy protection” that darkens the display when it’s viewed from the sides.

It’s really one of those things most of us don’t think about, but it has practical, real-world applications to better protect your privacy.

Outlook: This one's likely to happen based on the amount of leaks.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in all models

Gaming on a Galaxy S25 Ultra — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Due to rising component costs and the RAM crisis, one of the biggest uncertainties regarding the Galaxy S26 lineup is whether the devices will share the same chipset. This year’s flagship is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which I saw break records during my OnePlus 15 review.

While Samsung gave the entire Galaxy S25 lineup the same processor — the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy — that might not be the case this time. Rumors hint at Samsung returning to its in-house Exynos 2600, specifically for the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus. While it's still unclear if this split will return, anything could happen at tomorrow's event.

Outlook: It’s possible, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Samsung uses different chips for different regions or models.

Prices will remain the same

SmartPrix renders of the galaxy s26 phones — (Image credit: SmartPrix / Tom's Guide)

Now, this one is likely to be the most controversial, especially considering how rising component costs and the RAM crisis are having an adverse effect on the pricing of all electronics. The Galaxy S26 lineup could see prices rise in the wake of these factors.

When they launched last year, prices were $799 for the Galaxy S25, $999 for the S25 Plus, and $1,299 for the S25 Ultra. While one report suggests the Galaxy S26 could see a price increase in Korea, a conflicting report claims the Galaxy S26 Ultra won’t see a hike at all.

This rumor is tough to call because despite maintaining the same pricing since the S24 launch, anything can happen with the Galaxy S26. We’ve already seen Samsung choose to offer a $30 reservation credit, versus the $50 we’ve seen for several years now. This suggests Samsung might be tightening its belt to preserve the current pricing structure of its upcoming phones.

Outlook: This is possible, but we could also see price parity in the US while other regions face increases.

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John’s a senior editor covering phones for Tom’s Guide. He’s no stranger in this area having covered mobile phones and gadgets since 2008 when he started his career. On top of his editor duties, he’s a seasoned videographer being in front and behind the camera producing YouTube videos. Previously, he held editor roles with PhoneArena, Android Authority, Digital Trends, and SPY. Outside of tech, he enjoys producing mini documentaries and fun social clips for small businesses, enjoying the beach life at the Jersey Shore, and recently becoming a first time homeowner.

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