It appears Samsung is ready to fix one of the biggest complaints about its flagship phones in Europe. A retailer in Finland accidentally published full inventory listings for the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, confirming that the company is doubling the base storage on its cheapest models to 256GB.
This leak effectively confirms the lineup for next year, showing that the 128GB option—often criticized for filling up too fast—is finally being retired for the European market.
Storage Gets a Boost
According to the retailer’s data, the standard Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra will all start at 256GB.
This is a significant shift. For years, buyers in Europe were stuck with 128GB base models, while customers in other regions like China often got 256GB for the same tier. With operating systems and photos taking up more space than ever, this move brings Samsung’s European offerings up to speed with modern standards.
Three Models, New Colors
The leak also settles the debate on how many phones we will see. The list includes only the standard S26, the S26 Plus, and the S26 Ultra. Recent rumors about a “Pro” or “Edge” model appear to be unfounded.
As for the look, Samsung is keeping things consistent. All three phones are listed in Black, Cobalt Violet, and Sky Blue. There is also a White option, though the retailer only listed it for the higher storage versions (512GB and 1TB). The Galaxy S26 Ultra remains the king of the hill, being the only one to offer a massive 1TB option.
Market Context
This storage bump is likely a response to competitive pressure. Most Chinese flagships dropped 128GB options a long time ago, making Samsung’s base models look poor value by comparison.
By standardizing on 256GB, Samsung ensures that even the cheapest S26 feels like a proper premium device. It eliminates the “storage anxiety” many users feel when buying a base model, especially since these phones no longer have SD card slots.
What Comes Next
With retailer listings already live, the official launch is clearly just around the corner. We expect Samsung to formally announce the devices in February, where we will finally see if this storage upgrade comes with a price hike.
