Samsung is finally killing off 128GB storage on its base Galaxy S26 model. A Finnish retailer leak confirms all three phones in the lineup—standard S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra—will start at 256GB across Europe. It’s a small change that says more about where the industry should have been years ago than where it’s heading.
The leak also reveals four standard colors: Black, White, Sky Blue, and Cobalt Violet. Samsung will likely reserve additional shades like Silver Shadow and Pink Gold for its own store, a familiar move that creates artificial exclusivity without much payoff for buyers.
Enterprise versions will only come in Black with 256GB storage, limited to the base and Ultra models. No surprises there.
What stands out is the timing. Samsung’s February 25 Unpacked event in San Francisco pushes the S26 launch about a month later than usual. Pre-orders are expected between March 5 and 10, with sales starting March 11. The delay might reflect supply chain adjustments or strategic positioning, but Samsung hasn’t said.
The storage bump matters more than the color palette. Flagship phones in 2026 should not ship with 128GB as an option, especially when system files, apps, and high-resolution photos eat through space quickly. Samsung took too long to make this call, but at least it’s done.
The S26 lineup won’t redefine smartphones, but ditching outdated storage tiers is the kind of baseline improvement that actually improves daily use without flashy marketing.
