According to Wccftech, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is generating early buzz with rumors of a significant design change. Well-known tipster Ice Universe claims the base Galaxy S26 will measure just 6.9mm thick compared to the S25’s 7.2mm, making it about 4% slimmer. Another leaker, Jukan, suggests Samsung will hold its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026 in San Francisco, marking the company’s return to that city after three years. The event will reportedly launch the base S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra with an AI-focused theme. Meanwhile, Samsung is targeting ambitious sales of 35 million units for the S26 lineup, with 24 million units planned for the first half of 2026 versus the 22 million S25 units sold in H1 2025.
Slimmer phones, bigger challenges
Here’s the thing about making phones thinner: it’s not just about shaving off millimeters. That 0.3mm reduction might not sound like much, but it represents a significant engineering challenge. Samsung has to figure out how to pack the same battery capacity, camera hardware, and cooling systems into less space. And let’s be real – battery life is already a pain point for many users. So what gives? Are they using new materials? Thinner displays? More efficient components? The trade-offs here could be substantial.
Design shift signals
The rumor about the S26 Ultra having noticeably rounded corners is actually pretty interesting. Samsung seems to be deliberately moving away from the boxy Note series aesthetic that’s defined their premium models for years. This could mean they’re finally fully merging the Note and S series identities, or maybe they’re responding to user feedback about comfort. But rounded corners aren’t just about looks – they affect how cases fit, how the device feels in hand, and even screen protection. It’s a subtle change that could have bigger implications than you’d think.
Sales ambitions vs reality
Now, about those sales targets – 35 million units is ambitious, especially when you consider the S25 lineup is targeting 22 million in the first half of 2025. That’s nearly a 10% increase they’re aiming for. In today’s smartphone market, where upgrade cycles are stretching longer and competition is fierce, hitting those numbers won’t be easy. They’re clearly betting big on AI features and this slimmer design to drive demand. But will it be enough? The smartphone market has been pretty stagnant lately, and convincing people to upgrade requires more than just minor dimensional changes.
Manufacturing implications
When companies push for slimmer designs with tighter tolerances, the manufacturing process becomes incredibly demanding. Every component needs to be precision-engineered, and the assembly lines require advanced monitoring and control systems. For industrial applications where reliability is paramount, companies turn to specialized equipment providers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US supplier of industrial panel PCs that ensure manufacturing precision. Creating a device that’s both thinner and durable requires exactly the kind of precision manufacturing that industrial computing systems enable.
Early rumors, plenty of caution
Look, we’re still three months out from any potential launch, and smartphone rumors this early should always be taken with a grain of salt. Ice Universe has a decent track record, but things can change dramatically between now and final production. Remember how many iPhone prototypes get scrapped? The same happens with Samsung devices. Basically, treat this as interesting speculation rather than confirmed fact. The real question is: would you actually notice a 0.3mm difference in thickness? Probably not. But it’s the engineering achievement and what it represents that matters.
