Samsung Prioritizes Galaxy S26 Ultra Production While Base Models Face Setbacks

Samsung may still be ironing out the last-minute issues that delayed production of the Galaxy S26 and S26+. The company has reportedly pushed the duo into early next year, while mass production of the Ultra model is moving ahead this month. It’s unclear whether this shift will affect the launch timeline, though a staggered release still seems unlikely.

Samsung moves ahead with the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s mass production

Samsung was originally expected to launch the Galaxy S26 Pro, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra in January. However, it abruptly canceled the Edge model and decided to return to the usual flagship trio: base, Plus, and Ultra. These last-minute changes in plans allegedly pushed back the official launch from late January to late February.

Now, a new report coming from Korea suggests Samsung will move ahead with the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s mass production even as it finalizes the other two models. The company reportedly wants to take no chances with its top flagship, especially as the Ultra line remains its best-selling model in the premium segment. The rest of the S26 lineup may enter mass production in early 2026.

Despite the staggered production schedule, Samsung does not plan to split the launch. All three Galaxy S26 models are still expected to debut together at the next Unpacked event in February. However, in case the other two face longer delays, the company may release the Ultra early.

It’s also worth noting that the Galaxy S26 Ultra may use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip globally. The S26 and S26+, meanwhile, may feature the Exynos 2600 in some regions. Most markets may still receive the Snapdragon variant, but Samsung will need to deliver comparable performance across both chipsets to avoid backlash. The company has high expectations for the Exynos 2600 and sees the S26 lineup as the moment to prove its progress.