Samsung is planning a significant shift for its next flagship smartphone launch. The Galaxy S26 series is now expected to debut on February 25, 2026. This event will likely take place in San Francisco.

This timeline represents a slight delay from recent years. It also marks a strategic return to a key US tech hub.

An official from Samsung revealed the potential date and location. According to a report from MoneyToday, the decision is heavily influenced by the city's identity. San Francisco is widely recognized as a global epicenter for artificial intelligence development.

Samsung has heavily invested in AI for its Galaxy ecosystem. Launching its next AI-powered phones there makes strong branding sense. This will be the first Galaxy S launch in the city since the Galaxy S23 event.

The company appears to be rethinking its device strategy. Recent rumors suggested a trio of phones called the S26 Pro, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra. However, those plans may have been scrapped.

Reportedly, the standard Galaxy S26 Edge model has been canceled. This decision is linked to disappointing sales of its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Edge. Samsung will likely revert to its traditional and more successful model structure.

The Galaxy S26 series is also set for a major internal upgrade. Samsung hinted that some models will feature the new Exynos 2600 processor. This chip is poised to be a technological milestone.

It is projected to be the world's first 2nm-class smartphone chip. The Exynos 2600 is designed with a 10-core CPU and a powerful AMD-based GPU. This represents a significant leap in processing power and efficiency.