Samsung is preparing to introduce its Galaxy S26 series early next year, and although the company hasn’t shared any official information yet, leaks surrounding the upcoming flagships have been appearing regularly. A new report from well-known tipster Ice Universe sheds more light on the design direction Samsung may be taking for the S26 lineup. According to the latest leak, the Galaxy S26 models could be noticeably slimmer and lighter than both the current Galaxy S25 series and Apple’s latest iPhone 17 lineup.
In a recent post, the tipster compared the rumored dimensions of the Galaxy S26 family with their predecessors. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to measure around 7.9mm in thickness and weigh roughly 214 grams. This would make it slightly thinner and a few grams lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which measures 8.2mm and weighs about 218 grams. The standard Galaxy S26 could also see a noticeable reduction in thickness, coming in at around 6.9mm and weighing about 164 grams, compared to the S25’s 7.2mm thickness and 168-gram weight.
The Galaxy S26+ appears to be the only model without a major change in thickness, as it is expected to remain at 7.3mm. However, the weight may increase slightly to approximately 191 grams, just one gram heavier than the S25+. Although this difference is practically unnoticeable, it suggests Samsung may be adjusting the internal structure or components of the device.
What makes the leak even more interesting is how the S26 lineup compares to Apple’s iPhone 17 series. If the leaked details turn out to be accurate, Samsung’s upcoming models could be slimmer across the board. The standard iPhone 17 reportedly measures 7.95mm in thickness and weighs around 177 grams, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are thicker and heavier, at 8.75mm and weights of 204 grams and 231 grams respectively. By contrast, all three Galaxy S26 models appear to be lighter and thinner, which could appeal to users who prioritize sleek and lightweight designs.
Beyond the design changes, the Galaxy S26 series is also expected to deliver upgrades in performance. Reports suggest that most regions will receive models powered by Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, built on a 3nm process. However, in select markets, Samsung may use its in-house Exynos 2600 processor, which has not yet been officially announced. These next-generation chipsets could offer improvements in efficiency, speed, and thermal performance.
On the camera side, Samsung is likely to continue its established pattern. The Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ are expected to feature triple rear camera setups, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra may include a quad-camera system. Early leaks indicate that the Ultra model could feature improvements in zoom capabilities and overall image processing, but concrete details are still limited.
Several reports indicate that Samsung may shift its launch timeline slightly earlier than usual. Instead of a late-February unveiling, the Galaxy S26 lineup is now expected to be introduced in late January 2026, with sales beginning in early February. If true, this would give Samsung a head start in the premium smartphone market next year.
Based on everything leaked so far, Samsung appears to be focusing heavily on refining the physical design of its next flagship series. A slimmer and lighter build, coupled with next-generation processors and expected camera updates, suggests the Galaxy S26 lineup may deliver a more polished and premium experience. If these changes translate well into real-world use, the S26 models could offer strong competition not only within the Android market but also against Apple’s newest iPhone lineup.