The Galaxy S26 collection seems prefer it’s stealing from Apple and Google

When Google unveiled the Pixel 10 series in August, the characteristic I used to be most excited to see launched was Qi2 magnetic charging. Since Apple launched MagSafe on the iPhone again in 2020, I have been ready for the day both Google or Samsung would step as much as the plate and ship an identical characteristic for Android customers. 5 years later, Google lastly did — with the assistance of Qi2’s Magnetic Energy Profile, which relies on Apple’s MagSafe know-how.

Whereas the Pixel 10 collection is sort of much like its predecessor, the Pixel 9 collection, I wasn’t actually bothered by that, primarily due to how game-changing Qi2 is, and Google’s new Pixelsnap accessories. With Google now embracing magnets, out of the large three smartphone manufacturers within the US, solely Samsung’s Galaxy collection stays with out them.

The Galaxy S26 series is predicted to debut early subsequent yr, and the large query on my thoughts, and I am certain many others’, is whether or not Samsung will comply with Google’s lead — and according to Apple — and at last embrace magnets in its units.

Because of a brand new leak on X, courtesy of Sonny Dickson, a tech reviewer and journalist, we would now have our first main trace that Samsung might lastly convey Qi2 to the Galaxy S26 collection (by way of Android Authority). The leaked picture reveals three alleged dummy items for the Galaxy S26 collection: the Galaxy S26 Professional, the Galaxy S26 Edge, and the Galaxy S26 Extremely. What instantly caught my eye was the massive round engraving on every system, which is probably going for a magnet. You possibly can take a look at the leaked picture under.

Samsung is copying extra than simply magnets

The Galaxy S26 collection might need much more iPhone-inspired design parts

Whereas that is only a leaked picture of dummy items, it is arduous to not get excited by the prospect of Qi2 magnetic charging lastly coming to the Galaxy collection. I used to be disenchanted when Samsung did not do it this yr with the Galaxy S25 series, nevertheless it appears poised to take action subsequent yr with the Galaxy S26 collection.

If Samsung, for some purpose, did not embrace magnets and help Qi2 with the S26 collection, I’d be shocked. Now that Google has performed it with the Pixel 10 collection, and Apple has had MagSafe for half a decade, it looks as if Samsung has no selection if it needs to maintain up (please do not break my coronary heart, Samsung).

Past the round cutout on the dummy items for the Galaxy S26 collection, one other noteworthy element is the digital camera design variations throughout every mannequin. The Galaxy S26 Pro (which rumor has will probably be much like the usual S25, with the “Professional” designation added) now incorporates a pill-shaped digital camera island, resembling the design of the iPhone 16, the upcoming iPhone 17, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Galaxy S26 Extremely might additionally undertake this pill-shaped island for its cameras.

Nevertheless, the standout digital camera design is undoubtedly the S26 Edge, which, based mostly on the leaked dummy unit, might characteristic a big rectangular digital camera bar, comparable to what’s anticipated on the iPhone 17 Pro, set to be unveiled by Apple on September 9.

So it looks as if with the Galaxy S26 collection, not solely is Samsung copying what Google has performed with the Pixel 10 collection and magnets, but in addition what Apple is about to do with the iPhone 17 collection. I’ve to confess, I am a bit puzzled by what Samsung is doubtlessly doing with the design of the S26 Edge. It seems prefer it might have a bigger digital camera bar for totally no purpose, and I am stunned Samsung would not simply comply with what it did with the S25 Edge, until it is a method to make the telephone stand out extra.

The Galaxy S26 collection continues to be over 4 months away, assuming Samsung sticks to its typical new-year launch cycle, so it is best to take this leak with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity of the S26 collection that includes magnets, and now that the Pixel 10 collection additionally consists of them, it is arduous to think about Samsung not following go well with. Additionally, as somebody who likes the design of Apple’s current iPhones, I am not overly upset about Samsung taking inspiration from that both.