- Samsung has reportedly delayed the mass production of the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+, pushing their assembly to January 2026.
- The production shift is linked to the cancellation of the rumored Galaxy S26 Edge and the reintroduction of the Galaxy S26+ model, requiring additional design and testing.
- With the Galaxy S26 Ultra production on track, the staggered manufacturing schedule suggests the full Galaxy S26 series launch may now happen in February or March 2026.
For years, Samsung has followed its familiar schedule of unveiling the Galaxy S lineup every January. However, things might be different this time. According to a recent report from The Elec, the Galaxy S26 series launch could be delayed, with the event now expected to take place in February or March 2026.
Samsung Galaxy S26 series launch slipped to spring 2026 amid production delays
Sources close to Samsung say that the company has pushed back the start of mass production for the next-generation Galaxy S phones. Originally, all three main variants, which include the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, were supposed to enter production in December 2025.
But now, only the Galaxy S26 Ultra seems to be on track. Its development work is said to be finished, and the company still plans to begin production in December. On the other hand, the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ will start production only in January 2026. This means there is at least a month’s delay in the manufacturing process.
Changes in model lineup affect timeline
Industry insiders say the delay happened because Samsung changed its plans midway. The company was reportedly developing a new variant called the Galaxy S26 Edge, but that model has now been scrapped. Instead, Samsung decided to bring back the Galaxy S26+, which had been missing in the previous generation.
While the Galaxy S26 and the Ultra are ready for production, the reintroduced Galaxy S26+ still needs extra time for testing and design adjustments. This last-minute decision is what caused the shift in the production timeline.
Because of this, Samsung will first start assembling the Galaxy S26 Ultra, then move on to the Galaxy S26, and finally the Galaxy S26+. This staggered process means the official Galaxy S26 series launch will likely happen later than usual.
Expected launch timeline
Although Samsung has not confirmed an official launch date, industry reports now point to a February or March 2026 unveiling. If accurate, the Galaxy S26 lineup will arrive almost two months later than the usual January release window.
At this stage, all signs point to the Galaxy S26 series launch being delayed because of internal changes and production adjustments. Samsung appears to be taking some extra time to fine-tune its upcoming models, particularly the Galaxy S26+. Although fans might have to wait a bit longer than usual, the delay could ultimately result in a more refined and polished flagship experience once the phones finally hit the market.
