Galaxy S26 Edge release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades
Render of the Galaxy S26 Edge. | Image by OnLeaks and Android Headlines
Galaxy S26 Edge: what to expect
What's expected to change vs Galaxy S25 Edge:
- Currently, reports indicate the Galaxy S26 Edge may be cancelled
- If the Galaxy S26 Edge happens, it would be another slim-chic model like its predecessor and the iPhone Air
- Rear camera island look tweak is possible
- Two cameras just like its predecessor
- Galaxy AI features, One UI 9, Android 17
Expected release timeline:
- The Galaxy S26 Edge was expected together with the S26 series, but it didn't happen.
- Currently, the Galaxy S26 Edge may even be cancelled.
Expected price:
- No leaks on the price of the Galaxy S26 Edge so far.
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Galaxy S26 Edge release date
The Galaxy S26 Edge did not launch alongside the rest of the Galaxy S26 lineup, as the tech industry expected. According to some, Samsung has reportedly scrapped the Edge altogether, while others insist it is still on the roadmap. For now, the Galaxy S26 Edge's fate remains unknown.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 Edge | Unknown | Unknown |
| Galaxy S25 Edge | May 13, 2025 | May 30, 2025 |
| Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, Galaxy S25 Ultra | January 22, 2025 | February 7, 2025 |
Recently, Samsung Mobile Experience Business COO Won-Joon Choi discussed Samsung's intentions... or at least hinted at them, about the Edge. Apparently, this phone is reportedly not coming this year. The company is still said to be "considering" the sequel to the Galaxy S25 Edge, but its plans of releasing it are seeming less likely now.
The reason for a possible cancellation of the model could be the lackluster sales of its predecessor. Won-Joon Choi has reportedly said that the sales of the model have been "relatively lower" than other lineups.
Galaxy S26 Edge price and deals
The Galaxy S25 Edge started at $1,099.99, which put it neatly between the Galaxy S25+ and the S25 Ultra. Naturally, if it ever gets released, the Galaxy S26 Edge is expected to land in that same ballpark.
| Galaxy model | 256 GB of storage | 512 GB of storage |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 Edge | $1,099.99* | $1,219.99* |
| Galaxy S25 Edge | $1,099.99 | $1,219.99 |
*- anticipated prices
The Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus did get a $100 price hike, so nothing stops Samsung from raising the price of the Edge too.
Galaxy S26 Edge camera
Galaxy S26 Edge expected camera setup:
- 200 MP main camera
- 50 MP ultra-wide camera
- 12 MP front camera
Early rumors pointed to the Galaxy S26 Edge keeping the same 200 MP main snapper as the current model – the same beast used in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, too. Naturally, this is an excellent camera.
Zoom quality is solid thanks to that sensor, and you can get nice detail at 2X and 4X zoom (go beyond that and things start to lack details).
The ultra-wide camera may get a boost, jumping from 12 MP on the current model to 50 MP on the S26 Edge. This change should deliver crisper photos with way more details, as well as a nice bump in video quality.
The ultra-wide camera may get a boost, jumping from 12 MP on the current model to 50 MP on the S26 Edge. This change should deliver crisper photos with way more details, as well as a nice bump in video quality.
The S25 Edge already holds its own in our tests, but it hasn't quite caught up to its bigger siblings or rivals like the Pixel 9. With this rumored 50 MP sensor, Samsung may finally give its ultra-slim phone the power it needs to compete.
And of course, you can count on Galaxy AI features to lend a hand. Think Generative Edit, which lets you move, remove, or resize objects and even expand photos by filling in backgrounds, and Audio Eraser, which cleans up unwanted noises in your videos. These tools make photography and videography way more flexible and fun.
Galaxy S26 Edge storage
Galaxy S26 Edge rumored storage capacity:
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
- 1 TB
A 1 TB option could be possible, even though its predecessor maxed out at 512 GB. We're looking at either 12 or 16 gigs of RAM on the device.
Galaxy S26 Edge design
The Galaxy S26 Edge may come with a pretty surprising design tweak.
Renders show Samsung could be going for a wide camera island that stretches across the back – edge to edge – kinda like the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the latest Pixel phones.
This is how the upcoming Galaxy S26 Edge might look like.
Thickness-wise, the S26 Edge is rumored to hit 5.5mm at its thinnest point and 10.8mm at its thickest, thanks to the camera island. Still, that is slimmer than the S25 Edge’s 5.8mm, so Samsung is definitely keeping its focus on making an ultra-thin phone.
Other than that, don’t expect any radical changes. The phone will probably keep its titanium frame, smooth curved edges, and insanely light build. Up front, it should sport Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 – tough stuff that keeps the display sharp and resistant.
Other than that, don’t expect any radical changes. The phone will probably keep its titanium frame, smooth curved edges, and insanely light build. Up front, it should sport Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 – tough stuff that keeps the display sharp and resistant.
And yes, an IP68 rating is most definitely in the picture, and this should mean it can handle water and dust without breaking a sweat.
Color options are still a mystery, but my guess is Samsung will stick to subtle, understated shades like the previous generation.
Color options are still a mystery, but my guess is Samsung will stick to subtle, understated shades like the previous generation.
Also read: Galaxy S26 colors: all the official shades
Galaxy S26 Edge display
Expect the S26 Edge to keep the same 6.7-inch screen we're used to. It's a top-tier flagship, so you can safely bet on a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a bright screen.
Samsung will likely keep its smart display tech too, powered by AI. This includes ProScaler, which uses AI to make images look about 40% sharper.
Galaxy S26 Edge battery
Battery life is usually where super-thin phones like the Galaxy Edge series run into trouble. The current S25 Edge isn’t exactly known for lasting all day, so fingers crossed Samsung improves that with the Galaxy S26 Edge.
Rumors hint at a slightly bigger battery this time around – from the S25 Edge’s modest 3,900mAh up to around 4,200mAh (or maybe more, depending on which tipster you trust).
On the wireless front, the S26 Edge is expected to come with built-in magnets for full Qi2 charging, putting it on par with competitors like the iPhone Air and the new Pixel 10 series.
The downside? Charging speeds are rumored to max out at 25W, which isn’t anything to write home about. That’s the same as the S25, S25 Plus, S25 Edge, and even older models like the S24 and S24 Plus – basically, Samsung hasn’t really pushed the high-end charging envelope here yet.
Rumors hint at a slightly bigger battery this time around – from the S25 Edge’s modest 3,900mAh up to around 4,200mAh (or maybe more, depending on which tipster you trust).
On the wireless front, the S26 Edge is expected to come with built-in magnets for full Qi2 charging, putting it on par with competitors like the iPhone Air and the new Pixel 10 series.
The downside? Charging speeds are rumored to max out at 25W, which isn’t anything to write home about. That’s the same as the S25, S25 Plus, S25 Edge, and even older models like the S24 and S24 Plus – basically, Samsung hasn’t really pushed the high-end charging envelope here yet.
Galaxy S26 Edge features and software
The Galaxy S26 Edge, if it comes at all, may run One UI 9 on top of Android 17 or a later OS, depending on when Samsung releases the phone. You can count on major Android updates and security patches for a full seven years.
Of course, the full suite of Galaxy AI features should be on board, giving you plenty of smart tools to play with:
Of course, the full suite of Galaxy AI features should be on board, giving you plenty of smart tools to play with:
- Drawing Assist: Combines sketches, text, and images so your creative ideas come to life with ease.
- Gemini integration: Hold the side button to seamlessly interact across Samsung, Google, and third-party apps like Spotify.
- Actionable searches with context-aware suggestions: Based on what you’re searching for, the phone suggests the next steps, making everything more intuitive and efficient.
- AI agents with multimodal capabilities: The phone can understand text, speech, images, and videos, making interactions smoother and more natural.
- Upgraded Google’s Circle to Search: Recognizes phone numbers, emails, and URLs on your screen, so you can call, email, or open a website with a single tap.
- Writing Assist: Automatically summarizes or formats notes, even when pulling text from multiple apps.
Galaxy S26 Edge hardware and specs
Galaxy S26 Edge's expected specs:
- RAM: 12 GB
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Battery: 4,200mAh
- Charging: 25W
- Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB
Under the hood, the Galaxy S26 Edge is expected to pack Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor (at least in some regions), paired with either 12 or 16 GB of RAM. Storage options could go all the way up to 1 TB, giving you plenty of room for apps, photos, and videos.
That new chipset should handle on-device AI like a champ, while keeping everyday performance smooth and reliable no matter how heavy you push it.
On the connectivity side, the S26 Edge is shaping up to be future-proof with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and of course, full 5G support – meaning you’ll stay connected at blazing-fast speeds wherever you go.
That new chipset should handle on-device AI like a champ, while keeping everyday performance smooth and reliable no matter how heavy you push it.
On the connectivity side, the S26 Edge is shaping up to be future-proof with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and of course, full 5G support – meaning you’ll stay connected at blazing-fast speeds wherever you go.
Galaxy S26 Edge preliminary comparisons
- Galaxy S26 Edge vs Galaxy S25 Edge: The S26 Edge may or may not be cancelled. However, we've compared what the rumors are saying about the phone with the specs of its predecessor.
- Galaxy S26 Edge vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: Comparing the rumored Galaxy S26 Edge to the Pixel 10 Pro XL might seem odd at first. However, these two phones share similar price tags, and except for the thinness, they do look a bit similar.
Should I wait for the Galaxy S26 Edge?
- You should wait for the Galaxy S26 Edge if you want the thinnest possible Galaxy phone, but you don't need a new phone right now or soon. If your current phone is still handling things fine, it makes sense to hold off for the next-gen launch. Just keep in mind that we still don't know for certain whether it's coming at all or not.
- You should not wait for the Galaxy S26 Edge if you need a new phone right now or don’t care much about having the thinnest device. The Galaxy S26 series is now out, and they are excellent, and you also have quite a few options of reliable and impressive flagship phones in 2026.