Highlights
- All Galaxy S26 models may stick to 2,600‑nit peak brightness, despite adopting Samsung’s new M14 OLED material.
- Expected improvements include Gorilla Armour with anti‑reflective coating, a Privacy display mode, faster 60W wired charging on Ultra and 20W wireless charging on S26/S26 Plus.
- The Galaxy S26 lineup is widely anticipated in January 2026, though leaks hint at a possible February–March release.
If recent reports hold any truth, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup may not bring the display brightness jump many users have been hoping for. A new leak suggests that all three models of the series could retain the same peak brightness found on the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 series. The Galaxy S26 Series is expected to include Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra. Here’s what we know based on the recent leak.
Galaxy S26 Series May Not Get Brighter Displays
According to tipster PhoneArt @UniverseIce on X (formerly Twitter), Samsung plans to equip the Galaxy S26 lineup with OLED screens capped at 2,600 nits peak brightness. This would mark the third consecutive flagship generation with no increase in brightness, even though the new models are expected to shift to Samsung Display’s latest M14 OLED material.
Today we’re not talking about cameras ,let’s talk about the display. From what I’ve exclusively learned, the Galaxy S26 series still caps out at 2600 nits peak brightness, including the S26 Ultra. This is not a good sign. Display brightness has stayed unchanged for several… pic.twitter.com/ahG5azJiAE
— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) November 20, 2025
If unchanged, Samsung’s next-gen flagships would lag behind competing devices. The iPhone 17 reportedly features 3,000 nits, Xiaomi 17 reaches 3,500 nits, the Oppo Find X9 hits 3,600 nits and the Vivo X300 leads with 4,500 nits.
Interestingly, the continuous lack of improvement has triggered speculation that Samsung may be controlling brightness to reduce heat output or keep manufacturing costs steady.
The tipster has also clarified that maintaining the same brightness does not rule out the use of an M14 OLED panel. Samsung is still expected to adopt it for its efficiency gains including higher material purity, better endurance and improved resistance to wear. These upgrades can improve overall luminous efficiency, even if they don’t directly enhance colour depth, dimming rate or broader display architecture.
M14 is like higher-quality sand and cement：
purer, stronger, and more durable.
This makes the concrete as a whole more stable and longer-lasting (= higher luminous efficiency, better resistance to degradation).
But it doesn’t determine how many floors the building can have,…
— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) November 20, 2025
Galaxy S26 Lineup – Other Expected Upgrades
According to reports, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could also feature a new version of Corning Gorilla Armour with improved anti-reflective capabilities. Samsung is also said to be developing a Privacy display mode that dims sensitive information when users are in crowded spaces.
However, the tipster PhoneArt @UniverseIce remains uncertain about whether Samsung will add 10-bit colour support or higher-frequency PWM dimming. Users may need to wait for Samsung’s official announcement to confirm whether these enhancements are planned.
As for other features, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumoured to support faster 60W wired charging up from 45W and 25W wireless charging. Meanwhile, the standard Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus may see an upgrade to 20W wireless charging.
As a Samsung leaker, I am basically sure that it will adopt M14 material and Polless screen technology, but I can’t guarantee that it will adopt 10bit technology and PWM high-frequency dimming. I advise you not to be too optimistic. https://t.co/WicBrzvunb
— PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) November 20, 2025
Industry reports also indicate that Samsung might not introduce major camera, battery and thermal management upgrades to maintain pricing competitiveness.
As for the launch, the Galaxy S26 series is widely expected to launch in January 2026. Some leaks suggest a slightly later launch window, potentially in February or March.
FAQs
Q1. Will the Galaxy S26 series have brighter displays than its predecessors?
Answer. No, leaks suggest all Galaxy S26 models will retain 2,600‑nit peak brightness, the same as the S24 and S25 series, despite using new M14 OLED panels.
Q2. What other display and durability upgrades are expected?
Answer. The Galaxy S26 Ultra may feature a new Corning Gorilla Armour with improved anti‑reflective properties and a Privacy display mode to dim sensitive information in crowded spaces.
Q3. What charging improvements are rumored for the Galaxy S26 lineup?
Answer. The Galaxy S26 Ultra could support 60W wired charging and 25W wireless charging, while the standard S26 and S26 Plus may get upgraded to 20W wireless charging.