Fresh leaks are stirring the pot around Samsung’s next flagship lineup. The Galaxy S26 Plus, long seen as the middle child, may be about to grow up fast. A bigger screen, magnetic charging, and subtle camera changes are suddenly on the table, shaking earlier expectations.
Early chatter around the Galaxy S26 line sounded calm, even boring. Same sizes, same cameras, small refinements. Now that tone feels off. A new leak suggests Samsung is rethinking at least one key model, and it starts with size.
A Plus Model That May Finally Live Up to Its Name
For years, the Plus version has meant slightly larger, slightly pricier, but still clearly second to the Ultra. That gap might narrow. A new leak circulating on social media claims the Galaxy S26 Plus could jump from its familiar 6.7-inch display to a much larger 6.9-inch panel.
That’s the same size currently reserved for the Ultra.
If true, this would be a noticeable shift in Samsung’s lineup logic. The Plus model has always been big, but never massive. A 6.9-inch screen changes how the phone feels in the hand, in the pocket, and in Samsung’s overall product ladder.
One sentence keeps popping up among fans: why call it Plus if it’s basically Ultra-sized?
The source of this claim is a post attributed to Tech Informer, shared on Facebook, alongside what appear to be CAD-based images. CAD renders are often early and imperfect, but they tend to reflect real dimensions sourced from manufacturing data.
Samsung hasn’t commented, obviously.
But the timing matters. The Galaxy S25 Edge reportedly struggled to stand out, and sales chatter around it has been muted. A bigger Plus could be Samsung’s way of refreshing interest without fully redesigning the Ultra.
And yes, that raises questions about differentiation.
Qi2 and Built-In Magnets Look Increasingly Likely
Screen size isn’t the only thing lining up across leaks. There’s also growing agreement around magnetic charging support, specifically Qi2, arriving across the Galaxy S26 lineup.
This is a bigger deal than it sounds.
Qi2 isn’t just about faster wireless charging. It includes a magnetic alignment system, similar in concept to Apple’s MagSafe. Until now, most Android phones relied on cases with magnets, not magnets inside the phone itself.
That may finally change.
Recent reports suggest Samsung is preparing native magnetic arrays inside the Galaxy S26 models. That means snap-on chargers, wallets, battery packs, and mounts could work without special cases or awkward alignment.
Basically, the magnets would be built in.
This lines up with leaked images showing circular patterns beneath the back panel. It also fits with industry momentum. Qi2 adoption has been slow, but pressure is building, especially as accessory makers standardize around it.
A short list of what native Qi2 could change, practically speaking:
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More reliable wireless charging alignment, no more sliding off pads
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Better compatibility with magnetic car mounts and stands
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Slimmer cases, since magnets wouldn’t need to be added externally
One sentence sums it up: fewer workarounds, more plug-and-play.
Samsung has flirted with this idea before. Now it feels closer to real.
Camera Changes Are Subtle, but Not Nothing
Cameras are where Galaxy leaks often disappoint, and the S26 rumors started that way too. Early whispers suggested Samsung would reuse much of the S25 hardware, especially on non-Ultra models.
That story may be incomplete.
A newer leak points to a change in the telephoto camera on the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus. The aging 10MP 3x telephoto sensor, which has been around for several generations, could finally be retired.
In its place, a 12MP 3x telephoto sensor is rumored.
On paper, that sounds minor. Two extra megapixels won’t change photography overnight. But sensor upgrades usually involve more than resolution. Improved light capture, better processing headroom, and cleaner zoom shots often come with newer components.
And frankly, that 10MP sensor has been hanging on for a while.
There’s no indication yet that the main camera or ultra-wide sensors will change much on the Plus model. Samsung still seems intent on keeping its biggest camera innovations exclusive to the Ultra.
Still, even a small step forward matters in a market where rivals tweak cameras every year.
One sentence worth pausing on: incremental doesn’t mean irrelevant.
How the S26 Plus Could Reshape Samsung’s Lineup
If the leaks hold, Samsung’s traditional lineup tiers may blur. A Plus model with a 6.9-inch screen and built-in Qi2 magnets starts to feel less like a compromise and more like a genuine alternative to the Ultra.
That creates new questions.
Who is the Ultra really for then? Just camera diehards? Stylus fans? People who want the absolute top spec, no matter what?
Below is a simple comparison based on current leaks and expectations, not confirmed specs, just to frame the shift:
| Model | Expected Screen Size | Magnetic Charging | Telephoto Camera |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 | ~6.2 inches | Qi2 likely | 12MP 3x |
| Galaxy S26 Plus | ~6.9 inches (rumored) | Qi2 likely | 12MP 3x |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | ~6.9 inches | Qi2 likely | Advanced periscope |
Notice the overlap.
The Plus and Ultra could share the same screen size for the first time in years. That’s not a small decision. It affects pricing logic, marketing, and how customers choose.
Samsung may be betting that users care more about feel and features than strict hierarchy. Or maybe it’s reacting to sales data we don’t see.
Either way, the Plus name might finally mean something bold.
Leaks, CAD Renders, and the Usual Grain of Salt
It’s worth slowing down for a second.
CAD renders leak early, and plans change. Samsung prototypes multiple sizes and configurations every year. Some never leave the lab. Others get merged, delayed, or quietly dropped.
So yes, this could all shift again.
But what’s different this time is consistency. Separate reports, different sources, similar claims. Bigger Plus. Qi2 magnets. Minor camera refresh. Together, they paint a picture that feels deliberate.
There’s also context. The smartphone market is tired. Safe updates don’t always excite buyers anymore. A visibly larger Plus model might catch eyes in store displays, especially if it sits next to a similarly sized Ultra at a lower price.
That kind of contrast sells phones.
And Samsung has a history of adjusting strategy when mid-tier flagships don’t land as hoped. The S25 Edge chatter fits that pattern, even if numbers stay unofficial.
Basically, something’s shifting behind the scenes.
Whether it’s a final call or still in flux, the Galaxy S26 Plus suddenly looks less predictable than expected.
