The Galaxy S26 might arrive later than usual – and most of you aren’t upset

Most of you are perfectly fine with the later timing. Around 40% said a delayed launch wouldn’t matter at all, as long as the phones turn out to be great. And they probably will be – just not dramatically better than the current Galaxy S25 lineup.

That’s also why a slight delay doesn’t feel like a big deal. We’re not talking about months or years here, just a few extra weeks. For most people, that’s easy to live with. Still, it does raise an obvious question: why the delay at all?

Why the Galaxy S26 launch might be happening later

Samsung hasn’t shared anything official yet, but when you look at the broader picture, a few possible reasons start to make sense. Chipsets are likely a big one. The move to 2nm manufacturing is a huge challenge, and very few companies have managed to pull it off smoothly at scale.

After dealing with yield issues last year, Samsung can’t really afford another supply chain headache. That extra month could simply be used to fine-tune the new Exynos and Snapdragon chips, making sure they hit performance and thermal targets.

There’s also the timing of Samsung’s more experimental hardware. Not long ago, the company showed off its first-ever triple foldable phone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, and promised to bring it to the US in Q1. Pairing its American debut with the Galaxy S26 launch could create a stronger overall message. Instead of the S26 feeling like a routine annual update, it becomes part of a broader innovation push.

Software is another likely factor. One UI 8.5 is expected to bring deeper AI features, and that kind of integration takes time to optimize properly. By waiting until February, Samsung may be aiming to ship the Galaxy S26 with a more stable and refined version of its software, rather than rushing out something that feels half-baked.

What you’d actually miss if you skip the Galaxy S26

If you’re not too concerned about when the Galaxy S26 series launches, it’s still worth looking at what you’d miss by sitting it out. In all honesty, not a whole lot – but there are a few upgrades worth mentioning.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to finally get faster charging, moving from 45W to 60W. It’s also rumored to support Qi2 fully, which should improve wireless charging compatibility. Another interesting rumor points to a new privacy-focused display, where the pixels themselves adapt to your surroundings to reduce unwanted viewing angles.