Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup will get a bit of a facelift when it’s launched early next year. We’ve already heard rumors that the Galaxy S25 Edge successor will replace the Galaxy S25+ as the middle child in the company’s flagship lineup, but now there are details emerging about a potential change for the entry-level Galaxy S26.
We’ve previously seen leaks that the base Galaxy S26 will pick up the Pro moniker. New rumors conveyed via 9to5Google add some details to the device. According to reports, the Galaxy S26 Pro will feature a larger 4,300mAh battery, besting the 4,000mAh cell in the Galaxy S25.
There’s also good news for fans of the Galaxy S25’s compact form factor, as the new Galaxy S26 Pro is rumored to have a 6.27-inch panel, only slightly bigger than the 6.2-inch display on the Galaxy S25. We’ll have to wait and see why Samsung chose to add “Pro” to the Galaxy S26, whether it’s due to other significant upgrades or the company wanted to avoid the phone looking bare compared to the Galaxy S26 Edge and Galaxy S26 Ultra.
I’m not expecting too much from the Galaxy S26 Pro
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 was an aberration for Samsung. It was the first time in years the company had focused on hardware innovation, acknowledging that enthusiasts spending $2,000 aren’t happy with iterative upgrades. I’m not expecting similar changes to the Galaxy S26 lineup. A bigger battery on the Galaxy S26 Pro is a start, and it’ll help users get through an entire day on a single charge, but there’s still more work to be done.
Unfortunately, these rumors highlight that it’ll be another year of Samsung flagships without silicon-carbon battery technology. I understand Samsung’s had battery issues in the past, but you don’t wear the black arm band forever. At some point, the company has to put the effort into developing new (and safe) battery tech. And it’s not a bridge too far. We’ve seen numerous companies overseas incorporate massive silicon-carbon batteries into their devices without issue — there’s no reason Samsung can’t do the same.
Still, it’s encouraging that Samsung will offer a smaller flagship alternative for those who don’t want to carry around a massive 6.9-inch slab in their pocket. The Galaxy S25 was ideal for many buyers, and I’m glad Samsung isn’t abandoning its more affordable flagship option.
