Galaxy S26 might be the first smartphone with Bluetooth 6.1, but there's a catch

Samsung is preparing to release the flagship Galaxy S26 series, and it might become the world's first smartphone line with support for the latest Bluetooth 6.1 standard. However, the availability of the technology will depend on the chip used, creating an ambiguous situation.

What is Known

According to Bluetooth SIG certification, the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra models will support Bluetooth 6.1 — a standard introduced in May 2025, offering improved positioning accuracy, more stable connections, and increased energy efficiency. Key features include an enhanced location detection system and data transmission optimization.

Bluetooth 6.1 support is implemented through the new Exynos S6568 chip, responsible for wireless interfaces, which will be used in Galaxy S26 versions equipped with the Exynos 2600 chipset. This is where the catch lies, as in some regions, such as the US and China, Galaxy S26 will likely be released with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip, so they will not have access to Bluetooth 6.1 — only protocol 6.0. This means that depending on the region, users may receive different wireless connectivity features despite having the same smartphone model.

Rumors suggest that the Galaxy S26 series will be presented in March 2026 instead of the usual January.

Source: Gizmochina