Samsung had achieved a steady pace in the Android market with the Galaxy S series, which it introduced at the beginning of each year. However, this time things are going differently. New information in the South Korean press shows that the company has rearranged its production schedule. Claims that the Galaxy S26 series will be introduced in March, not February, are getting stronger. The reason behind the delay is the revision in the number of models.
The Galaxy S26 series will come in three models: S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra. The production schedule for all three devices was planned from the beginning, but the process did not proceed as planned. Initially, all three models were expected to enter production in December. However, the development process of the S26 Edge model was shelved. However, Samsung focused on the S26+ instead of this model, and this transition moved the calendar forward by a month.
Reworked development process for Galaxy S26+ affected the schedule
When Samsung’s plan changed, the Galaxy S26 Ultra was put on the production line first. Then production of the standard Galaxy S26 will begin. Galaxy S26+ is in last place. It is thought that this order will directly affect the launch date. Because in previous years, promotion and production processes ran parallel to each other. In this scenario, a different production tempo based on model has occurred.
Hardware updates were also effective behind the lateness of the S26+ model. It is stated that the company has made new decisions on this model and made some changes in the design. In addition, it is said that software tests also cause delays. On the other hand, the development processes of the S26 and S26 Ultra models have been completed. It is estimated that these two models will be ready on time according to the production plan. However, this situation does not seem to prevent the promotion from being postponed.
Samsung’s launch pattern, which has been held in January for years, may change this time. A promotion that moves to March may lead to some changes both on the marketing side and in the sales period. Because the first quarter strategies of rival brands are also shaped according to this period. Considering that Apple will introduce the iPhone SE 4 model at the beginning of 2026, this delay by Samsung may be remarkable. Despite this, the brand seems to include strong features on the hardware side to maintain its competitiveness.
The S26 Ultra model will include a periscope camera and high-resolution sensors. In addition, new generation artificial intelligence-supported image processing technologies can also be offered with this device. On the processor side, Exynos 2500 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 options stand out. In addition, regional differences will determine the distribution of these equipment. All these technical details may increase interest in the devices before launch.
These developments are not limited to the hardware side only. The software team continues its preparations to present the latest version of the new interface, One UI, with these devices. However, production disruptions can also affect software testing processes. More time may be needed for system optimizations, especially on the S26+ model. This may lead to different test groups being deployed when devices boot.
Shifting the production schedule may also bring about some changes in the supply chain. The shipping plans of the companies to which Samsung supplies components may have to be updated. Despite everything, the company has a wide area of maneuver in terms of supply. Therefore, there is still time for the devices to be delivered in time for March. However, it looks like the race will continue over time.