Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Spotted on FCC With Satellite Connectivity Ahead of Launch

Samsung is clearly not playing it safe anymore. The Samsung Galaxy S26 series has officially appeared in the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) database. This isn’t just another regular certification sighting. It shows that Samsung is set to take smartphone connectivity beyond traditional cellular networks.

According to FCC listings dated January 28, 2026, the Galaxy S26 lineup, expected to include the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra, carries FCC IDs A3LSMS942U, A3LSMS947U and A3LSMS948U respectively. These are US variants, both carrier-locked and unlocked, and the timing strongly suggests a launch is just weeks away.

For readers tracking flagship smartphones closely, this FCC appearance is the clearest sign yet that Samsung’s next premium lineup is almost ready for prime time.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Connectivity Details 

The most headline-grabbing detail from the FCC database is satellite connectivity. The Samsung Galaxy S26 series is listed with support for Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). In simple terms, this means the phones could send messages, and potentially make basic calls, even when there’s no cellular network around.

Samsung is expected to rely on Skylo, a known NTN service provider, to enable this feature. While it may initially be limited to select regions like the US, the intent is clear: Samsung wants its flagship users connected anywhere.

Beyond satellites, the FCC filings confirm a full suite of modern wireless tech:

• 2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G NR (both sub-6GHz and mmWave)
• Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
• Bluetooth LE
• NFC
• Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
• Wireless charging (WPT)

This is not incremental progress. This is Samsung ticking every possible future-ready box.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series performance

Another key confirmation from the FCC listings is the chipset. All three models in the Samsung Galaxy S26 series are expected to run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, at least in the US market.

This suggests Samsung is continuing its strategy of offering Snapdragon-powered flagships in major regions, prioritising performance, efficiency and AI capabilities. From a user perspective, that’s good news. Qualcomm’s custom “for Galaxy” tuning has consistently delivered better sustained performance and camera processing than many alternatives.

While Exynos variants may still appear in some markets, the FCC data makes one thing clear: Samsung wants its flagship experience to feel uncompromising this year.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Design and Display Expectations

Leaks and industry chatter suggest Samsung won’t radically redesign the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, but it will refine what already works.

Early reports point to:

• Galaxy S26: 6.3-inch display
• Galaxy S26+: 6.7-inch QHD screen
• Galaxy S26 Ultra: 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED (M14 CoE panel)

The Ultra model is also tipped to launch in six colour options and may include built-in magnets, hinting at better accessory support. This feels like Samsung focusing on usability rather than gimmicks, a direction many users will welcome.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Launch Timeline 

Samsung is widely expected to unveil the Samsung Galaxy S26 series at a Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026, with availability beginning in March. At this point, a delay would be surprising.

The satellite connectivity move matters more than megapixels or charging speeds. Apple started this trend, but Samsung embracing SCS and NTN at scale could push the entire Android ecosystem forward. For travellers, rural users and emergency situations, this is not a “nice-to-have” feature, it’s a genuinely practical one.

Samsung’s message here is confident and loud: flagship phones should work everywhere, not just where towers exist. If pricing stays sensible and satellite access isn’t locked behind aggressive subscriptions, the Galaxy S26 series could quietly become one of Samsung’s most important launches in years.

And honestly? That’s the kind of ambition the smartphone industry badly needs right now.

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