Samsung's Galaxy S26 series is expected to be officially announced on February 25, with a global release date set for March 11, including the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra models, with pre-orders likely starting shortly after the announcement.
Samsung's Galaxy S26 series is expected to be unveiled in late January with a commercial release in mid-February, featuring the Ultra model with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip and the S26 and S26 Plus with Exynos processors. The Ultra is anticipated to be a high-performance device, potentially more successful despite a rumored price hike, while the smaller models may face challenges due to processor perceptions.
Ahead of Apple's September 9 event, TrendForce reports that the iPhone 17 lineup will feature significant RAM and storage upgrades, with most models receiving 12GB of RAM and increased base storage options, including a new 256GB starting point for the Air and Pro models, potentially accompanied by higher pricing for the iPhone 17 Air.
Apple announced the iPhone 17 series for September 9, while Samsung's Galaxy S25 FE is set for release on September 4 with specs like a 6.7-inch display and a 4,900mAh battery. Rumors also include the Galaxy S26 Ultra's battery capacity, Realme's innovative concept phones with massive batteries, and Xiaomi's HyperOS 3 update. Additionally, the Galaxy A07 4G has been officially launched in Indonesia.
The Galaxy S26 Edge is expected to feature a 4,200 mAh lithium-ion battery, an upgrade from its predecessor, despite Samsung not switching to a silicon-carbon battery. The phone is rumored to be released early next year, possibly thinner than previous models, and will compete with the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, which may have a smaller 2,900 mAh battery but rely on AI battery management. The device's engineering could make it one of the most impressive smartphones if rumors hold true.
The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to be announced on September 9, featuring a new design with aluminum instead of titanium, a full-width camera bump, and new colors. It will have a 6.3-inch display, a new A19 Pro chip with improved cooling, and enhanced camera capabilities including a 48MP telephoto lens and 8K video recording. Pricing is anticipated to start at around $1,049 with increased storage options. The release will likely include faster charging and support for Wi-Fi 7 and 5G.
Apple is set to announce the iPhone 17 series in early September 2025, featuring four models including a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, redesigned rear cameras, faster displays, increased RAM, and new color options, with significant hardware and design updates across the lineup.
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 series is expected to feature significant camera upgrades, including a 50MP ultra-wide lens for the NPA2 model and a 200MP main sensor for the Ultra version, with potential changes to the lineup such as the possible discontinuation of the Plus model, all ahead of a January 2026 launch.
The upcoming iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to feature significant display improvements, including larger screen sizes for the Pro models, increased brightness, more efficient panels, and potentially thinner bezels. However, the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to retain their current refresh rates and screen sizes.
Samsung is reportedly developing a Galaxy Z Fold 6 Slim, expected to launch in the last quarter of the year. This new variant, revealed by industry insider Ross Young, may feature a larger display than the standard model but lack S Pen support. The Slim model could be Samsung's response to thinner foldables from Chinese competitors and might be priced similarly to the regular Galaxy Z Fold 6. However, its existence and availability remain uncertain.
The iPhone 15 Ultra is rumored to come with a telephoto camera featuring a variable zoom lens, which could rival the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's camera capabilities. Variable zoom lenses are rare among smartphones, and if both Samsung and Apple add them to their upcoming flagships, it could shake up the ranking of the best camera phones. Other rumored features of the iPhone 15 Ultra include advanced image processing capabilities, a USB-C port, a curvier chassis, and a better cooling system. However, as with all rumors, some caveats must be added.