Samsung’s next flagship smartphone series, the Galaxy S26, is shaping up to bring major improvements—especially in memory. According to a recent leak, the new devices could come with up to 16GB of RAM across the entire lineup, including the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra.
RAM Boost for All Models, Not Just Ultra
The leaked details, shared by tipster Jukan Choi using Macquarie Research data, indicate a global rollout of 16GB RAM variants for all three Galaxy S26 models. This marks a significant upgrade from the Galaxy S25 series, where only the Ultra model featured 16GB RAM—and only in limited markets like South Korea and China. The Galaxy S25 and S25+ were restricted to 12GB.
Why More RAM Matters
This potential increase in RAM seems aimed at powering Samsung’s Galaxy AI tools, which are expected to be more deeply integrated in the S26 series. Additional RAM will also improve multitasking, gaming performance, and responsiveness, helping Samsung compete with brands like OnePlus and Red Magic, which already offer phones with up to 24GB of RAM.
With AI becoming a core part of the smartphone experience, more memory ensures smoother execution of AI tasks, from image generation to live translations.
Apple’s Next Moves Also Revealed
Interestingly, the leak also hints at Apple’s roadmap. The iPhone 17 series, expected in September, may offer 12GB RAM across the lineup—up from 8GB in the iPhone 16. This includes the iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. However, the iPhone 18 series next year is expected to stick to the 12GB limit.
Apple has historically been conservative with RAM, relying on software optimisation. But as AI tools demand more resources, even Apple appears to be joining the memory upgrade race.
A Clear Trend in the Smartphone Market
If Samsung follows through with this leak, the Galaxy S26 lineup could become one of the most memory-rich flagship series globally. As brands push harder to integrate AI, memory upgrades are no longer optional—they are becoming a strategic necessity.
Expect more RAM, smarter features, and fiercer competition ahead.
