Samsung Expects Strong Early Demand for Galaxy S26 Series

Samsung may be pushing back the Galaxy S26 launch by more than a month compared to its predecessor, but its sales ambitions remain higher than ever. The company has reportedly set an internal target of 24 million units sold by June 2026, surpassing the 22 million-unit goal it had for the Galaxy S25 series. It failed to hit the mark for the 2025 flagships.

Samsung sets ambitious sales target for Galaxy S26

According to the Korean media, Samsung is gearing up for what it calls a “second heyday” in its smartphone business next year, driven by a renewed focus on AI-powered Galaxy phones and foldable devices. At the heart of this growth plan lies the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, expected to launch on February 25, 2026. The company aims to sell 35 million S26 units in 2026, with 24 million units sold in the first half of the year.

To recall, Samsung sold just over 20 million Galaxy S25 phones by the end of June 2025. The company failed to hit its 22 million target. However, it now aims to sell four million more S26 units in a shorter time. The next-gen flagships may not hit store shelves until the second week of March. The Galaxy S25 series, meanwhile, was available for purchase from February 7, 2025.

Samsung expects the Galaxy S26 lineup to benefit from the ongoing AI phone momentum, positioning it as a core driver of next year’s smartphone sales. The company is doubling down on integrating on-device AI capabilities and exclusive Galaxy AI features, which played a major role in reviving flagship sales this year.

Samsung isn’t limiting its ambitions to flagship Galaxy S smartphones. The company expects foldables to mature beyond their niche appeal. It has set a target of 5 million combined sales for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8. The new foldables are expected to debut in July 2026. By treating foldables as mainstream flagships rather than experimental products, Samsung hopes to strengthen its leadership in the segment and fend off growing competition from Chinese brands.