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New Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus images reveal last-minute design changes and an Apple-like copy

Galaxy S26 render
(Image credit: SmartPrix)

The alleged cancellation of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge may have thrown the tech company’s plans into disarray, which could have caused it to redesign its flagship phone and bring another model back from the dead. Additionally, Samsung may be copying Apple in one very colorful way.

Renders of the Samsung Galaxy S26 as well as the S26 Plus — which the S26 Edge was supposed to have replaced — come from Android Headlines via regular render-maker OnLeaks, show last-minute design changes to both models.

Galaxy S26 Changes

As a result of the S26 Edge’s cancellation, the S26 has been slimmed down, according to Android Headlines. While an earlier S26 leak had the base model measuring in at 149.5 x 71.6 x 7.24mm, while the new version goes down to 149.3 x 71.4 x 6.96mm. That’s a .28mm difference.

It’s likely that this might be the last version of the phone before it goes into mass production, especially based on a recent rumor claiming Samsung will launch the S26 series in January. Previously, it was rumored that Samsung had to delay the launch to March because of these changes.

Beyond the size, it appears the design will include a flat display with a centered front-facing camera at the top. It will retain the camera bump we’ve seen previously with the three cameras on the back. And the vanilla model should feature charging magnets for Qi2.

A cosmic Galaxy S26 Plus

Leaked render of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus

(Image credit: Android Headlines / OnLeaks)

The Galaxy S26 Plus is coming back next year and looks to be similar to the Galaxy S25 Plus, including the 6.7-inch display. It appears to have rounder corners than the S26 Ultra, but it’s hard to tell if they’re curvier than its predecessor.

Again, the biggest difference is in the camera array, which will be on a vertical island instead of flush with the back panel. It will include three cameras, which are rumored to be the same as last year’s model.

According to AH, the new Plus model measures in at 158.4 x 75.7 x 7.35mm, which is about the same as the S25 Plus.

AH says the orange is only for representation but the images do show the phone in both white and orange colorways. For comparison, the S25 Plus launched in icyblue, mint, navy, and silver shadow. Online, via Samsung.com, there are three exclusive colors blueblack, coralred, and pinkgold. With reports that the iPhone 17 ‘Cosmic’ orange can fade to pink gold.

Other than that, we don’t know much more about the Plus. It will likely feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. As is annual tradition, there are rumors that Samsung has finally figured out its Exynos processor and wants to put the Exynos 2600 in its flagship handsets.

The S26 Ultra has been tipped to retain the same 5,000 mAh as the S25 Ultra. If that’s the case, expect the S26 Plus to use the same 4,900 mAh as this year’s model.


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Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

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