Skip the S25? Why the Samsung Galaxy S26 "Tethys" Project is the Real Game Changer

The "Tethys" Revelation: More Than Just a Name

Inside Samsung’s mobile division, the Galaxy S26 series is reportedly codenamed "Project Tethys." For the first time in three generations, Samsung is moving away from the "refinement" phase seen in the S23 through S25, and into a "Disruption" phase.

While the tech world is currently buzzing about 3nm chips, Samsung is already testing 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) architecture. This isn't just a spec bump; it represents a 25% increase in power efficiency and a 12% boost in raw performance, potentially ending the "thermal throttling" issues that have plagued the Ultra series during high-intensity gaming.

The Death of Fixed Optics: The Return of Variable Aperture

The most "click-worthy" update for the S26 Ultra is the overhaul of the 200MP sensor. While the pixel count remains high, the hardware is changing. Rumors suggest the S26 Ultra will re-introduce Physical Variable Aperture (f/1.4 - f/2.4).

Why this matters for your photos:

• Pro-Level Bokeh: At f/1.4, you get natural, creamy background blur without the "artificial" look of software-driven Portrait Mode.
• Night Vision: The wider f/1.4 opening allows nearly 40% more light into the sensor compared to the S24 Ultra, making midnight shots look like daylight.
• Edge-to-Edge Sharpness: By switching to f/2.4 in bright light, the lens eliminates the "corner softness" often found in large-sensor smartphones.

Silicon Wars: The 2nm Exynos 2600 vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 5

2026 marks the year of the "Dual-Threat" flagship. Samsung is doubling down on its in-house silicon to reduce dependency on Qualcomm.

The Exynos 2600 (The 2nm Pioneer): This chip is being built specifically to handle Galaxy AI 2.0. It features a dedicated "Neural Processing Fabric" that allows for real-time video translation—not just for audio, but for altering the speaker's lip movements in the video feed to match the translated language.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5: Qualcomm’s answer will likely focus on "NPU-First" architecture. Expect a massive leap in generative AI tasks, such as removing entire backgrounds from 8K videos directly on the device without needing a cloud connection.

Beyond the Screen: The "Invisible" Bezel and 60W Power

For the Galaxy S26 Plus and Ultra, Samsung is perfecting All-Around Borderless Display (AABD). This technology uses a new sub-pixel structure to wrap the display slightly further around the frame, making the side bezels virtually invisible from a front-facing perspective.

The Charging Milestone: After years of being stuck at 45W, internal testing for the S26 series points to a 60W Wired Charging standard. This would allow the S26 Ultra to hit a 0% to 80% charge in approximately 22 minutes, finally putting Samsung on a level playing field with international competitors.

Launch Strategy: When Can You Get It?

Industry insiders point to a late February 2026 launch. Specifically, the week of February 23rd is being eyed for the next major Unpacked event.

Should You Wait? If you are currently holding an S21 or S22, skipping the S25 for the S26 "Tethys" project is the smart move. The jump from 4nm/5nm chips to 2nm is a generational leap that will keep your phone relevant for at least 7 years of Android updates.

Quick-Glance Specs (The "Unique" Factor)

• Display: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 4X with 3500 nits peak brightness.
• RAM: 16GB LPDDR6 (First to market) for seamless AI multitasking.
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (UFS 4.1).
• Security: Ultra-Wideband (UWB) 2.0 for precise digital key tracking.
• Sustainability: Chassis made from 40% recycled ocean-bound plastics and Grade 5 Titanium.