According to SamMobile, Samsung is aiming to sell more Galaxy S26 units than it managed with the Galaxy S25, signaling ambitious growth targets for its 2026 flagship lineup. The company’s mobile division hit its revenue peak back in 2013 with KRW 133 trillion from Galaxy phones and tablets. But here’s the thing – for years afterward, revenue stagnated around KRW 100 trillion, never approaching that 2013 high. This year, Samsung is finally expected to hit around KRW 120 trillion in mobile revenue, showing significant recovery but still below that decade-old record.
The long road back
Let’s be honest – being unable to beat your own revenue numbers from 2013 is pretty rough, especially in the fast-moving tech world. Samsung basically spent nearly a decade treading water while competitors like Apple and Chinese manufacturers ate into their market share. The fact that they’re finally approaching those 2013 numbers again suggests something interesting is happening. Maybe their foldable strategy is paying off? Or perhaps the AI features they’ve been pushing are actually resonating with consumers?
Why the S26 matters now
Setting higher sales targets for the S26 versus the S25 isn’t just routine optimism – it’s a statement. Samsung clearly believes the mobile market is shifting in their favor again. They’re probably banking on Galaxy AI becoming more sophisticated and compelling by 2026, along with potential breakthroughs in battery life or display technology. And let’s not forget – by 2026, we’ll be deeper into the AI smartphone era, and Samsung wants to be leading that charge rather than playing catch-up.
The bigger picture
What’s fascinating here is the timing. After years of basically flatlining around KRW 100 trillion, Samsung’s mobile revenue is finally making meaningful progress toward that 2013 peak. The S26 ambition suggests they don’t just want to match old records – they want to smash them. But can they actually do it? The smartphone market has changed dramatically since 2013, with longer upgrade cycles and more competition than ever. Still, if anyone has the scale and resources to pull off a major comeback story, it’s probably Samsung.
