Galaxy S26 Likely Won’t Reach Buyers Until March, With One UI 8.5 Also Expected to Roll Out

By Shikhar Mehrotra • Updated On Jan 7, 2026

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TL; DR

Earlier today, renowned tipster Evan Blass (@evleaks on X) corroborated that the rumored February 25, 2026, launch date for the Galaxy S26 series is “100% correct.”
Hence, prospective buyers would have to wait until March 2026 to get their hands on the devices.

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 seems to have an unofficial launch date: February 25, 2026. The same date has been echoed by multiple sources, suggesting it could be the date of the first Galaxy Unpacked event of the year. However, what people aren’t talking about is how buyers would have to wait until March to get the Galaxy S26 series.

Also Read: CES 2026: Motorola Enters The Book-Style Foldable Race With The Razr Fold

February 25 Emerges as the Likely Galaxy S26 Launch Date

The date of 25 February is 100% correct. You can take it to the bank. https://t.co/YYe7P85Nwv
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 6, 2026

Earlier today, renowned tipster Evan Blass (@evleaks on X) corroborated that the rumored February 25, 2026, launch date for the Galaxy S26 series is “100% correct.” Hence, prospective buyers would have to wait until March 2026 to get their hands on the devices.

Take the Galaxy S25 series as an example. Samsung announced the devices in India at the Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22, 2025. Pre-orders began the next day, while the early deliveries of the smartphones commenced on February 4. But even so, the general sales began on February 7.

Also Read: ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo Debuts With Dual 16-Inch 120Hz OLED Displays at CES 2026

Samsung Galaxy S26 Expected Launch Timeline

You see? There’s a 16-day gap between the launch event and the general availability. Apply this formula to the Galaxy S26’s rumored launch date (February 25), and you get the following schedule (remember, this is our speculation, and the brand hasn’t confirmed it yet).

Galaxy Unpacked (announcement): February 25, 2026
Pre-orders: February 26, 2026
Early deliveries: March 10 – 11, 2026
General Availability: March 13, 2026

As a result, early buyers would have to wait until the second week of March to get their hands on the new Galaxy S26 series. This is a little later than usual, but it could be for the best. The launch delay could be attributed to final hardware and software readiness, as well as the ongoing memory crisis in smartphones.

In fact, March should also be when Samsung starts rolling out One UI 8.5 to all compatible smartphones, as the operating system update is heavily rumored to launch alongside the new Galaxy S26 series.

Also Read: Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon X2 Plus Chip for Affordable AI-Powered Windows Laptops

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Shikhar Mehrotra

Shikhar Mehrotra is a seasoned technology writer and reviewer with over five years of experience covering consumer tech across India and global markets. At Smartprix, he has authored more than 1,700 articles, including news stories, features, comparisons, and product reviews spanning automobiles, smartphones, chipsets, wearables, laptops, home appliances, and operating systems. Shikhar has reviewed flagship devices such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25+, and Sennheiser HD 505 Open-Ear headphones. He also contributes regularly to Smartprix’s growing automotive section.

With a deep understanding of both iOS and Android ecosystems, Shikhar specializes in daily tech news, how-to explainers, product comparisons, and in-depth reviews. His DSLR photography in product reviews is recognized as among the best on the team.

Before joining Smartprix, Shikhar wrote for leading publications including Forbes Advisor India, Republic World, and ScreenRant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow.

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