Increased battery life, improved zoom capabilities, and at the same price? Your upcoming Galaxy S26 might see a rearrangement of its specifications.

      Chatter indicates enhancements in battery and camera for certain models, while Samsung modifies its component mix to prevent an increase in MSRP.

      Samsung is reportedly planning to maintain the price of the Galaxy S26 during its next flagship launch in March, despite rising component costs and a weak Korean won. A report from Maeil Business Newspaper notes that Samsung also aims to keep prices stable for its upcoming foldable devices, anticipated in July, to sustain demand in the premium segment.

      If prices truly remain unchanged, the more pressing question is how Samsung manages its finances. Typically, when costs rise but prices do not, companies focus on upgrades that are most noticeable to consumers, while making adjustments elsewhere. Samsung Electronics executive Lee Jae-yong describes this as a dual strategy: protect market share with stable pricing while safeguarding margins through restructuring costs and specifications across different models.

      More information is expected to be shared at Galaxy Unpacked on February 25 in San Francisco, ahead of the March launch.

      Component costs are increasing.

      The report attributes this pressure to the rising costs of key components. According to Counterpoint Research, smartphone average selling prices are predicted to increase by 6.9% this year due to a 10% to 15% rise in manufacturing costs.

      Memory components are one of the major areas of concern. Prices for LPDDR5 mobile DRAM have reportedly surged by double digits since early last year, with estimates suggesting a 15% increase in the third quarter of the previous year. Additionally, mobile application processors have risen about 9% year over year, and camera modules have increased by about 3%.

      Apple and China influence the market.

      Competition also plays a role. The report mentions that Apple maintained the base price upon launching the iPhone 17 series, reinforcing that premium customers have a clear price ceiling. For Samsung, the strategy is simple: keep the premium range consistent and promote upgrades through specific features rather than a higher initial price.

      What to anticipate at Unpacked.

      If prices hold steady, attention will turn to the trade-offs. The report suggests that the base Galaxy S26 may upgrade to a 4,300mAh battery from the previous model’s 4,000mAh. The S26 Plus may introduce 3X zoom HDR shooting, while the Ultra could feature a privacy display to reduce side viewing, along with enhanced display and security capabilities.

      Keep an eye on the chipset distribution as well. The report anticipates Snapdragon for the Ultra, with a mix of Snapdragon and Exynos for the base and Plus models, impacting performance and efficiency based on the region. Foldables are likely to adopt a similar value approach, with the Fold 8 and Flip 8 rumored to feature lighter designs and larger batteries.

      Paulo Vargas is an English major turned reporter turned technical writer, with a career that has consistently returned to…

      I have been covering smartphones for years, but 2026 appears particularly bold and concerning.

      Will apps disappear? What about cameras? And most importantly, will your wallet feel the strain?

      The year 2025 was fairly enjoyable, in my tech-obsessed opinion. It introduced some impressive devices, such as the liquid-cooled Red Magic 11 Pro, which redefined what top-tier hardware can accomplish at a reasonable price. The iPhone 17 emerged as an unexpected success, while the iPhone 17 Pro saw Apple return to its adventurous spirit.

      We also saw phones like the Vivo X300, which reimagined what a compact phone can achieve. Samsung, refusing to remain passive, amazed us with the Galaxy Z TriFold that wholeheartedly embraced the hybrid phone-tablet concept. Meanwhile, Google finally reached its intended form with the outstanding Pixel 10 series.

      Read more.

      Are you hearing a static sound while charging your iPhone 17 Pro? You're not alone.

      Many iPhone 17 Pro users report a faint yet concerning hissing sound while charging, and the cause remains unclear.

      Users of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are experiencing an unusual phenomenon: a subtle hissing or static noise coming from the speakers during charging. According to a MacRumors report that references discussions on Reddit, Apple’s Community Support, and its own forum, affected users have observed a hissing sound when their device is charging (via wired or MagSafe) while the screen is on. Unplugging the device eliminates the noise.

      There was only ever one contender for the ‘least durable phone of 2025’ title.

      Discover which device won the accolade for being the most durable, too.

      Several phones were subjected to the hands of tech YouTuber Zack Nelson this year, enduring his intense durability tests.

      Nelson’s multifaceted yet somewhat unscientific examination for his JerryRigEverything channel involves testing each phone’s surfaces with various hard tools, exposing them to dirt, and even applying flame to the displays. He then uses his bare hands and brute strength to bend the devices to assess their structural integrity.