According to Android Authority, during its Q4 2025 earnings call, Samsung detailed its 2026 smartphone roadmap, specifically naming the Galaxy S26 series and upcoming foldables. The Galaxy S26 lineup, launching in the first half of 2026, will feature next-generation agentic AI experiences powered by a second-generation custom processor. Samsung also confirmed a focus on slimmer, lighter designs for future devices, while seemingly canceling the Galaxy S26 Edge model. For foldables, the company promised a stronger 2026 lineup and experiments with new form factors. Beyond phones, it plans new AI features for Galaxy Watches and an expanded earbuds lineup to drive growth.
The S26’s AI is the real upgrade
Here’s the thing: the hardware specs for the S26 sound iterative. A wider aperture on the Ultra’s 200MP camera? Stronger performance? That’s table stakes. The entire bet is on this “agentic AI.” Basically, we’re moving beyond the current generation of AI that just summarizes your notes or edits a photo. Agentic AI implies a system that can perform multi-step tasks autonomously. Think of it less as a tool and more as a digital assistant that can actually execute—booking a complex trip by cross-referencing your calendar and preferences, or managing a smart home routine based on context you didn’t explicitly provide.
The challenge is massive, though. This requires the AI to understand intent, navigate multiple apps and permissions, and make judgment calls. And it all has to run reliably on-device for privacy and speed, which is why that second-gen custom chip is so critical. If Samsung pulls this off, it could be a revolution. If it’s half-baked, it’ll just be another marketing bullet point that frustrates users.
The design shift and foldable future
Samsung saying future devices will be “slimmer and lighter” is a direct response to the criticism that its phones, especially the Ultras, have become bricks. Ditching the S26 Edge is fascinating—does that mean they’re consolidating the lineup, or is the standard model getting a curved screen? It feels like they’re streamlining.
But the foldable comment is where it gets spicy. “Experimenting with new form factors” fans the flames of those rumors about a wider foldable phone, maybe something that opens like a book instead of a tall clamshell. The foldable market needs a shake-up, and Samsung knows it. They can’t just keep making the Flip and Fold slightly better every year. They need a new category to create fresh demand, especially as tablet replacement slows down. A wider foldable could be their answer to the “notebook AI PC” growth they’re chasing.
The wearable and bigger picture
Putting more AI into watches and earbuds makes perfect sense. Watches are packed with biometric sensors, and AI that can actually analyze that data for proactive health insights is the next logical step. It’s a more tangible benefit than some phone-based AI tricks. Broadening the earbuds lineup is a smart play, too—that’s a high-volume accessory market.
So, what’s the overall take? Samsung’s 2026 is about AI maturity and design refinement. The S26 series is a vessel for their big AI software push, while the hardware gets a subtle sculpting. The real wildcards are the foldables. After years of incremental updates, 2026 might finally be the year we see Samsung take a real design risk again. The question is, will consumers care more about an AI agent or a new shape?
