Published on: Oct 24, 2025 09:17 am IST
iPhone 17 series, launched in September 2025, features Apple’s first devices built around the A19 Bionic chip and a refined “Air” design.
iPhone 17 series may rule for a few months without a fierce competitor as reports indicate that Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup, its biggest Android rival, has been delayed by several weeks. According to multiple industry sources, Samsung is struggling to finalise its 2026 flagship range, with insiders describing the situation as ‘confused’ amid product reshuffles and shifting launch timelines.
Samsung delays Galaxy S26 launch
Traditionally, Samsung’s Galaxy S-series smartphones debut in January, often beating Apple’s annual iPhone refresh to market. However, tipsters including Ice Universe and reports from WinFuture now suggest the Galaxy S26 series will launch in late February or early March 2026, a delay of nearly six weeks compared to the Galaxy S25’s January 2025 unveiling.
The move reportedly comes as Samsung reconsiders its product structure, particularly after scrapping the Galaxy S26 Edge in favour of a Galaxy S26+ model. This late-stage change has apparently thrown production and marketing schedules into disarray.
Lineup confusion and design changes
Sources claim that Samsung’s internal discussions around the Galaxy S26 family have created uncertainty about how many models will launch globally. The firm had originally planned three versions, the Galaxy S26, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra, but that has since shifted. With the Edge name dropped, the company is reportedly reworking the S26+ design and recalibrating pricing tiers to fill the gap.
This confusion could explain the delay, as Samsung looks to maintain a clear hierarchy within its flagship range. The company is also said to be finalising its camera hardware and software optimisations to better compete with Apple’s next-generation imaging system on the iPhone 17 Pro models.
Apple may gain advantage
iPhone 17 series, launched in September 2025, features Apple’s first devices built around the A19 Bionic chip and a refined “Air” design. With Samsung’s delay, Apple could enjoy a longer lead time before its closest Android competitor hits the market.
While Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is still expected to deliver cutting-edge performance powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, the delay may give Apple a crucial marketing and sales edge heading into 2026, especially in regions like India and China, where both brands compete fiercely in the premium segment.
