Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Leaked Launch Date and Price Hike Rumors Spark Debate

The "leaker of all leakers," Evan Blass (@evleaks), has j...

The "leaker of all leakers," Evan Blass (@evleaks), has just dropped a bombshell on the Samsung community. While we’ve been hearing whispers for months, Blass has given his "100% correct" stamp of approval to a specific launch date for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

If you were planning to upgrade in January, you might want to adjust your calendar. Here is everything we know about the S26 Ultra’s uncharacteristically late arrival and what it means for your wallet.

The Date is Set: February 25, 2026

In a post that he told fans they can "take to the bank," Evan Blass confirmed that the next Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for February 25, 2026.

This represents a roughly one-month delay compared to the Galaxy S25 launch in January. Rumors suggest the shift is due to last-minute adjustments in the product lineup—specifically a pivot away from a rumored "Edge" model back to the classic "Plus" variant. If this date holds, expect the phone to hit store shelves in early March.

The Price Tag: A $50 Increase?

The discussion is heating up over the cost. While some reports suggested Samsung might "freeze" prices to stay competitive, the latest leaks from industry analysts point to a $50 price hike across the entire S26 lineup.

The culprit? The skyrocketing cost of high-performance memory (RAM) and the 3nm manufacturing process for the new Snapdragon chips. For the Ultra, this could push the starting price even further into the premium territory.

Under the Hood: 60W Charging & Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

The S26 Ultra isn't just a design refresh. It’s expected to be a performance monster:

• The Chip: Globally, the Ultra is tipped to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, offering massive gains in AI processing and power efficiency.
• Charging Boost: After years of being stuck at 45W, Samsung is finally reportedly jumping to 60W wired fast charging.
• Qi2 Support: The S26 series may be the first to feature built-in magnets for Qi2 wireless charging, bringing "MagSafe-style" accessories to the Android world natively.

"Privacy Display" and New Design

One of the most unique leaks mentioned in recent reports is a new "Privacy Display" feature. This technology reportedly limits the viewing angles of the screen automatically when you open sensitive apps (like banking or private messaging), making "shoulder surfing" a thing of the past.

Physically, the phone is expected to move toward an even more refined, rounded-edge design with a massive 6.9-inch M14 OLED panel that is 20-30% more power-efficient than previous generations.

What’s Your Take?

The S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a powerhouse, but is it worth the wait—and the extra $50?

• Is 60W charging enough of a jump, or are they still behind Chinese competitors?
• Does the "Privacy Display" sound like a useful feature or just a gimmick?
• Will you wait for March, or is the S25 Ultra a better deal right now?

Let us know in the comments below!