Galaxy Unpacked date is official, S26 leaks continue, Week 7 in review

Samsung has officially set the date for its next major smartphone launch, confirming that the Galaxy S26 series will debut on February 25 in San Francisco. The announcement comes as leaks about the upcoming flagship phones continue to pour in, giving us an increasingly clear picture of what to expect from Samsung's 2026 lineup.

Samsung Galaxy S26 series launch details confirmed

The South Korean tech giant has opened reservations for the S26 series, offering early registrants $30/€30 vouchers, trade-in bonuses, and chances to win additional vouchers. The launch event will be livestreamed on Samsung.com and YouTube, making it accessible to global audiences.

Industry insiders suggest the event will heavily emphasize artificial intelligence capabilities, continuing Samsung's push toward AI-powered mobile experiences. This aligns with the company's recent marketing focus on Galaxy AI features across its product lineup.

Complete Galaxy S26 specs and pricing leak

Perhaps the most comprehensive leak of the week detailed the full specifications, dimensions, color options, and European starting prices for all three models in the S26 series. The leak suggests Samsung is maintaining its traditional lineup structure with standard, Plus, and Ultra variants.

Official renders have also surfaced, showing the design language Samsung is pursuing for 2026. The images reveal refined aesthetics and new color options that appear to build upon the S25 series' design philosophy while introducing subtle evolutionary changes.

For those wanting a complete breakdown, our detailed analysis covers everything known about the Galaxy S26 Ultra, compiling all leaks and rumors into one comprehensive guide.

iPhone 18 Pro pricing remains stable despite market pressures

In a surprising turn of events, leaked pricing information suggests Apple will keep the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at their current price points. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to start at $1,099/€1,299, while the larger Pro Max variant will begin at $1,199/€1,449.

This pricing stability is noteworthy given the recent surge in memory component costs. Industry analysts suggest Apple is absorbing these increased costs rather than passing them on to consumers, likely as part of a broader strategy to maintain market share in competitive segments.

Motorola enters premium territory with Signature series

Motorola has officially entered the premium smartphone market with its new Signature series. Our review unit arrived in an eye-catching Pantone Martini Olive color, featuring a distinctive "linen-inspired" texture on the back panel.

The device even includes its own signature fragrance infused in the packaging, representing Motorola's attempt to create a more sensory and premium unboxing experience. This move signals Motorola's ambition to compete directly with established premium brands in the high-end segment.

Sony confirms Xperia phones remain on track

Despite recent announcements about outsourcing Bravia TV production, Sony has clarified that its Xperia smartphone division remains unaffected. The company confirmed "no change in status" for its mobile phone business, reassuring fans of the Xperia lineup.

Supporting this claim, both the Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII have appeared in the GSMA IMEI database, indicating these devices are in active development and moving toward release.

Xiaomi 18 Pro rumored to pack dual 200MP cameras

Looking ahead to later in the year, rumors suggest the Xiaomi 18 Pro will feature an impressive dual 200MP camera system. This would represent a significant leap in mobile photography capabilities, potentially setting new standards for smartphone camera resolution.

The Xiaomi 18 series is tipped for a September announcement, giving the company several months to refine the technology and build marketing momentum around what could be a standout camera feature.

As the mobile industry continues its rapid evolution, these developments highlight the ongoing competition among major manufacturers to differentiate through camera technology, design innovation, and software experiences. With Samsung's Unpacked event just weeks away, the smartphone landscape is poised for another significant shift in 2026.