Samsung may be taking a page out of Apple’s playbook with its upcoming flagship series. A new leak suggests that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus could arrive in a striking orange shade, similar to the Cosmic Orange colour introduced with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro.

Orange becomes the new black

Earlier this year, Apple made headlines when it launched the iPhone 17 Pro in a bold Cosmic Orange finish, notably skipping the classic black option for the first time. The decision sparked a trend among users and tech enthusiasts, with many calling the orange variant “the new black.”

Now, Samsung seems to be following suit. According to renders shared by reliable tipster OnLeaks in collaboration with Android Headlines, the upcoming Galaxy S26 Plus might feature a similar orange hue. The leaked CAD-based design hints at a colour tone that closely resembles Apple’s variant, potentially marking a shift in Samsung’s design direction for 2026.

Refined design and premium build

The leaked renders reveal that the Galaxy S26 Plus maintains the familiar premium look of the Galaxy S25 lineup, but with subtle refinements. The rear panel showcases a grouped triple-camera module in a slightly raised island, reminiscent of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy S25 Edge designs.

On the front, the smartphone appears to retain a 6.7-inch display, likely a Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The bezels look slimmer than the previous generation, offering a more immersive viewing experience. As per leaks, the device measures approximately 158.4 x 75.7 x 7.35mm.

While the orange shade seen in the renders has excited many, experts caution that these are concept-based designs and not confirmation of Samsung’s official colour lineup. However, if the company does launch an orange variant, it could become one of its most distinctive design choices in recent years.

Expected specifications and performance

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus is rumoured to pack next-generation performance hardware. Depending on the market, it could be powered by either the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset or Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2600 processor. The device is expected to offer 12GB RAM and come with multiple storage variants.

In terms of optics, the Galaxy S26 Plus may feature a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The smartphone could also house a 4,900mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage with optimised power management.

Competition and colour strategy

If Samsung proceeds with the orange variant, it would be a clear statement of intent to keep design and aesthetics at the forefront of its flagship offerings. The move mirrors a broader industry shift where colours and finishes are increasingly used to differentiate high-end smartphones.

The Galaxy S26 Plus will compete directly with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro series and Google’s upcoming Pixel flagship, both expected to feature upgraded cameras and AI-powered performance.

Launch timeline and expectations

Samsung typically unveils its Galaxy S series in February each year, and the S26 lineup is expected to follow the same schedule in early 2026. More leaks and official teasers are likely to surface in the coming months, shedding light on the final colour variants and hardware details.

For now, the Cosmic Orange-inspired design has already set social media abuzz — with users eager to see if Samsung indeed makes “orange the new black.”