Smartphones in 2026: These are the 5 releases we’re looking forward to

One thing’s for certain in these opening days of 2026: the new year is going to bring us new phones from some familiar places. What we’re waiting to find out is just how familiar the phones themselves turn out to be.

The fact of the matter is, that some phones change very little from year to year. But that just makes the phones that do break new ground stand out a little more. And this year promises to bring some notable surprises in terms of new hardware from major brands, including the potential for Apple’s first-ever foldable device.

It’s not only the phones that could be changing — when we’ll actually see new handsets could be shifting as well. For instance, it appears Apple may hold off on releasing the iPhone 18 until 2027, while Samsung could release the Galaxy S26 series later than it has in recent years.

While we might be waiting for a little longer for some phones, the rumored changes certainly sound impressive. So let’s break down the five most anticipated phone launches we’re expecting for 2026.

iPhone 18 Pro (September 2026)

(Image credit: Digitpatrox)

While Apple may stagger its phone releases moving forward — at least that’s what the rumors claim — the fall won’t be completely devoid of new iPhones. We expect Apple to come out with iPhone 18 Pro models in 2026 even as the standard iPhone model gets shifted to a spring launch going forward.

Beyond the new release plans, early rumors paint an interesting picture about the next Pro models. After the Phone 17 Pro ushered in a fairly significant design change, you wouldn’t think the look of the iPhone 18 Pro will vary that much. The hardware could be another story.

Some rumors indicate that Apple will introduce a variable aperture rate to the iPhone 18 Pro’s main camera, allowing you to easily adjust how much light is hitting the sensor when you take a shot.

We’re also expecting a lot from the phone’s chip, which is expected to be called the A20 Pro. Unlike the iPhone 17 Pro’s 3nm A19 Pro chip, this system-on-chip is expected to be built using a 2nm process, which should bring performance and power efficiency gains

Then there’s the matter of software improvements. Apple has said that a new version of Siri is coming out in 2026. The expectation is the AI-powered version will arrive in the spring via an iOS 26 update, but the iPhone 18 Pro will certainly reap the benefits — if the smarter Siri lives up to expectations.

iPhone Fold (September 2026)

We’re expecting some company with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple could finally join the foldable phone race after years of sitting on the sidelines. We’ve heard a lot of rumors about the iPhone Fold, and frankly, it looks like it could be a real shakeup to the market.

You can sense there’s a lot of excitement about the iPhone Fold based on the volume of rumors that have emerged so far. From what we’ve heard, Apple could be working on the a truly crease-free display, which would be a first for foldable phones. More worryingly, the iPhone Fold could also feature an under-display camera, even after devices with that feature have produced less-than-stellar images.

As for rumored specs, the iPhone Fold is tipped to feature a 7.8-inch main display and a 5.5-inch outer screen, which would be smaller than what rival foldables offer. We would also expect the same A20 Pro silicon that’s coming to the iPhone 18 Pro.

The biggest iPhone Fold mystery could be what it costs, with some rumors pointing to a price between $2,000 and $2,500. Considering the Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at $1,999, Apple could have its work cut out justifying that kind of expense.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (February/March 2026)

When Samsung introduces its next Galaxy S models, it’s pretty clear the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be the head of the class. Samsung tends to save its biggest changes for its premium phone, and while the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus will get some improvements here and there, the latest Ultra is in line to see some significant boosts.

It’s expected the Ultra will feature a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, while the standard and Plus models in the Galaxy S26 lineup might run on Samsung’s Exynos 2600 silicon instead. It’s also rumored the S26 Ultra is getting a larger aperture for taking better pictures in low light, with the 3x telephoto lens also in line for an upgrade. Samsung could also add new AI features that are exclusive to the Ultra to hear some people tell it.

The question is when we’ll see the new Ultra or any of the other Galaxy S26 models. For two years running, Samsung has announced its new phones in January, though the latest rumors have the Galaxy S26 launch event pushed back to late February. That means it could be March before the new models go on sale.

Google Pixel 11 (August 2026)

(Image credit: Digitpatrox / John Velasco)

Google’s phones may not be as popular as the ones produced by Apple and Samsung, but the Pixel has established itself as a leader in mobile AI. That figures to continue in 2026, with the Pixel 11 lineup offering the same three non-folding options as the Pixel 10 did last year.

With new Pixel flagships not expected to arrive until late in the summer, rumored improvements are hard to pin down. However, one big change could be the new Tensor G6 chipset that figures to power the next Google flagships. It could be built on a 2nm manufacturing process, putting the latest Pixels on more even footing with iPhone and Galaxy S devices.

On top of that, there have also been long-running rumors around some serious AI upgrades for Google’s next generation of phones. These include some big camera features, including improved Cinematic Blur with support for 4K 30fps video. There’s also mention of ultra-low light video, which could be an on-device process for the Pixel 11.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Summer 2026)

Before Apple can roll out its first foldable phone, Samsung should have the chance to introduce the latest version of its standard-setting Galaxy Z Fold device. And the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is shaping up to be an impressive update going by early rumors.

For starters, Samsung could be reducing the crease on the Z Fold’s main display even further and that display could be larger and more rectangular. Battery life, a linger shortcoming for most foldable phones, is set to improve, too.

The latest rumor could be the most interesting to date, as a report out of Korea suggests the Galaxy Z Fold 8 could be even lighter than its predecessor, as Samsung continues to emphasize greater portability with its foldables.

Other possible phone releases

These five phones are the ones sparking my interest, but there are other rumored devices set to debut in 2026, too. Samsung’s also apparently working on a lighter version of its Galaxy Z Flip phone, and we’d expect a new line of foldable Motorola Razrs, too. Apple and Google could have new midrange phones out before the middle of the year, and considering rumors about rising phone prices, those models may prove to be more attractive than ever.

Let us know what you’re looking forward to when it comes to smartphones this year, especially if there’s a model that we didn’t mention!