If these Samsung Galaxy S26 features are true, I might finally put away my Google Pixel

Source: ZDNet

Ever since its debut almost a decade ago, I’ve been a devoted Google Pixel phone user. An occasional feature here and there has caught my eye, but I can say that, as a general rule, I’ve never been tempted to stray.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 might change that. I keep an eye on what other phone manufacturers are up to, and a rumor or leak about the upcoming Galaxy lineup has caught my attention more than once. Of course, these are all rumors and nothing is confirmed, but many of these rumors are popping up consistently and from multiple tipsters, meaning there’s probably some truth to them.

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If these rumors hold, I might be very tempted to step outside the Google ecosystem for the first time in a long while.

Here’s a look at what’s rumored for the Samsung Galaxy S26. Rumors say the lineup will release mid‑March, which makes sense with Samsung Unpacked allegedly set for late February.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Samsung’s newest phone lineup is rumored to feature impressive features.
• Redesigned privacy glass could eliminate screen protectors.
• The S26 series should be released in March.

Redesigned glass that eliminates screen protectors

The S26 Ultra has been confirmed to feature a new display with an anti‑reflective coating, non‑polarized light technology, ultra‑high‑strength glass, and screen‑privacy technology. The latter looks pretty impressive in action, and the glass overall could be a top feature of this phone.

Related article: Samsung Unpacked 2026: 5 biggest rumors I’m seeing on Galaxy S26 Ultra, Buds 4 Pro, more

Scam detection

My Pixel 9 Pro does a fantastic job screening calls, so it’s rare that a call I don’t want actually reaches me. When one does, I have the assurance of scam detection that uses AI to listen for specific keywords during calls. If something sounds dangerous, the phone vibrates and shows an alert.

While this has been a Pixel exclusive, several sources, including Android Authority, think the feature might jump to the S26.

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Increased battery life and faster charging

The S26 Ultra is apparently placing a big focus on battery life. Leaks claim the flagship version will feature stacked‑cell technology, introducing a 5,500 mAh (or larger) battery—more than any other flagship. Some tipsters disagree, but the new phones may also have improved charging speed, reaching 75 % from 0 % in about 30 minutes.

I use my phone throughout the day and often need a quick recharge. The ability to get to more than 50 % in a few minutes is awfully tempting.

A flashy new processor

Rumors vary, but the top end of Samsung’s S26 lineup will likely feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. This would improve battery life, graphics performance, and more.

Some reports say the entire series will have the new processor, but Samsung often uses a mix of chipsets, so it makes sense for only the high‑end models to get the newest CPU.

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