Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 takes aim at Xiaomi 17 with 6.9mm body

As per a report filed by UniverseIce on X, not only will the forthcoming standard variant of the Samsung ‘Galaxy S26’ feature a thickness of merely 6.9mm, but according to these sources, it “will make it one of the thinnest flagships ever made” from the brand. Indeed, compared to its predecessor ‘Galaxy S25,’ which was 7.2mm thick, this latest offering clocks in 4% slimmer. From the line art design leak, its look seems to resemble a toned-down version of Galaxy Z Fold 7.

In comparison to these features, the forthcoming Xiaomi 17 – its nearest competitor expected to hit markets around similar times – has a thickness of 8.06mm and weighs 191 grams. It appears that whereas Samsung tries to go to great extents to achieve slimmer dimensions, Xiaomi seems to focus more upon endurance and camera technology in its forthcoming offering.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Enhanced Handcrafted Quality with AI Emphasis

According to reports, Samsung plans to showcase its Galaxy S26 series during its Galaxy Unpacked event to take place on February 25th, 2026. Notably, Samsung will hold its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, USA after a hiatus since 2023’s Galaxy S23. As expected, its Galaxy Unpacked event will focus on AI functionality.

The lineup will comprise Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. The goal for these devices is 35 million units in shipments, which represents a significant increment compared to 22 million units for S25 in the first half of 2025.

Xiaomi’s Response: The Xiaomi 17 Brings Elegance and Performance

While the goal for Samsung remains to trim down its top model, Xiaomi seems to pursue a different line with its Xiaomi 17, which will boast cutting edge design and processing prowess with its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. Although its design aims to pair thinness with ruggedness, Xiaomi’s top model mobile’s focus lies in Leica-optimized camera functionality, improved HyperOS 3 optimization, and battery endurance, which Xiaomi leads in the entire Android world.

The rivalry between Samsung’s Galaxy S26 and Xiaomi’s 17 series represents not only a comparative test between these two smartphones but also an encapsulation of two other ideologies related to mobile design. These two ideologies are Samsung’s thin design approach or Xiaomi’s balanced design approach. In 2026, both phones are set to come to market. Source: UniverseIce’s Twitter Page