It seems for premium smartphones, orange is the new black. After Apple’s made headlines with its Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and how quickly they were sold out across the world, it looks like Samsung too wants a taste of that wild virality. Leaks suggest that the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra might come in some pretty exciting new colours, including a new tangerine orange option
Apple set the trend: Why everyone’s talking about Orange
Apple wanted to experiment with the colours and were switching from titanium to anodised aluminium. This meant that they could finally experiment with the colour palettes for their Pro line up. And that's how we have the three rather unusual colours.
Experts have speculated as to why Apple went for that particular shade of orange. They believe that the Cupertino-based giant looked at the emerging trends from runways across fashion weeks in 2025, where “Mandarin Orange” dominated.
The goal was simple: To blend cutting-edge tech with lifestyle appeal. And the result is quiet clear. The orange colour created such a hype that it was sold out in key markets almost the moment it was launched. India saw a particularly high demand for what fans have dubbed as the “Bhagwa iPhone.”
Samsung’s turn: Leaks hint at a Tangerine Galaxy S26 Ultra
Seeing how just a colourway could impact how a product is received, it shouldn't come as a surprise if other smartphone makers want to emulate Apple's strategy.
Hardware wise, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra might feature a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, good cameras, slim bezels and rounded corners. But its the design and colours that would be the aspect that people will be looking out for.
If they do release an Orange S26 Ultra, it should signal Samsung’s intent to bring a burst of energy, style, and personality to its flagship lineup.
The meaning of orange
Orange is a rather vibrant color, which symbolises energy, creativity and individuality. Right now the smartphone market globally is saturated with the same shades of colours which are often repeated across brands and even budgets. We mainly get to see options such as black, blue, silver, grey etc. Smartphones have the chance to be statement pieces these days, and smartphone have finally understood why experimenting with colours at least might be a good idea.
Final word:
While there is no confirmation from
Samsung yet, the idea itself that the S26 Ultra would come in a rather wild colour as tangerine orange, is creating a hype for the product. Whether the Galaxy S26 Ultra launches later this year or in early 2026, one thing’s certain: the era of minimalist monochrome phones is fading, and vibrant expressions is taking the centre stage.
