According to SamMobile, a leak from a Finnish retailer has detailed the storage and color options for the upcoming Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. The key upgrade is that all models, including the base Galaxy S26, will reportedly start with 256GB of storage as standard, ditching the 128GB base option from the S25. The phones are listed in Black, White, Sky Blue, and Cobalt Violet colorways, with 512GB storage available as a paid upgrade. The Galaxy S26 Ultra may also get additional colors like Silver Shadow and Orange in some regions. Samsung is expected to officially unveil the lineup at an Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 25, 2026.
The good news is pretty good
Look, 128GB as a base storage option in a flagship phone in 2026 was going to feel pretty stingy. So this rumored jump to 256GB standard is genuinely a win for consumers. It’s one of those upgrades you can actually feel, not just a spec sheet bump. You won’t be constantly managing your storage or paying a premium upfront just for a usable amount of space. Basically, Samsung is removing a point of friction, and that’s smart. It makes the base model a much more compelling package right out of the gate.
But let’s pump the brakes a bit
Here’s the thing: we’re talking about a phone that’s still nearly two years away. A lot can change in Samsung’s planning between now and then. And while this leak comes from a retailer, which adds some credibility, it’s specific to the Finnish market. Samsung is notorious for having different color and storage configurations in different parts of the world. Those cool extra Ultra colors like Orange? They might be exclusive to Korea or another region and never see a global release. So don’t get too attached to Cobalt Violet just yet.
The real question is the price
My immediate, skeptical thought? Okay, great, more storage. But what’s the catch? Samsung isn’t a charity. There’s a very real chance that the starting price for the Galaxy S26 gets a nudge upward to “absorb” the cost of this “free” upgrade. They’ll market it as more value, and technically it is, but your wallet at checkout might not feel the difference. The move also cleverly pushes the average selling price higher. If the base is now 256GB, more people might just stick with it. But if you *do* need 512GB, you’re jumping to an even more expensive tier. It’s a classic tech industry pivot.
A far-off launch in a fast-moving world
February 2026. Let that sink in. In the tech world, that’s an eternity. By the time these specs are finalized, the competitive landscape from Apple, Google, and Chinese manufacturers will have shifted multiple times. Leaks this early are fun for chatter, but they’re almost more about gauging consumer reaction than revealing final specs. Samsung has plenty of time to adjust based on what its rivals do. So, while this leak points in a consumer-friendly direction, the final product is still a distant speck on the horizon. For now, it’s a promising rumor, but that’s all it is.
