Just like that, Samsung’s first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026 is already over, and the first big smartphone launch of the year was pretty substantial for the classic candy bar Galaxy S line. In fact, it’s arguably now ‘Samsung’s advantage’ in its big battle with Apple and Google.
As rumors and reports predicted, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26. The star, as many guessed, was the S26 Ultra, which features a unique new privacy screen that can intelligently block sections of the screen (or all of it) from off-angle viewing. I have a feeling this will make people with an iPhone, and any other phone for that matter, quite jealous.
There’s a new Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, specially designed for Galaxy devices across the board, promising fast, snappy performance and plenty of capability for complex AI tasks. Galaxy AI was a big topic, and Samsung took a broad approach while continuing to partner with Google for many features (for example, Circle to Search and new Gemini integrations) while also working more closely with Perplexity.
So, to get you up to speed on the biggest news from Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked on February 25, 2026, here are the top headlines from the event.
1. Samsung’s privacy screen is very stylish, but exclusive to the S26 Ultra
Sure, you can add a privacy screen protector from Zagg, Belkin, or OtterBox to almost any popular smartphone, but Samsung has essentially eliminated the need for the accessory on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
The AMOLED display incorporates a new way to lock off-angle viewing down to the individual pixel, effectively acting as an on-demand privacy screen when you need it, whether for the entire screen or for specific areas.
You can also set it to turn on automatically for certain apps, like banking or messaging. However, what I really like is how useful it is when you are cramped on a train or in an elevator: you can regain your privacy in a really easy way.
2. Bixby is getting a little smarter thanks to Perplexity AI
Now, Samsung has taken an unwalled approach to Galaxy AI on all its smartphones. There are some experiences created in-house, like Now Brief, but the company has also worked with giants like Google to integrate and launch features (sometimes even before Pixel devices had them) on Galaxy first. Circle to Search is a good example and has proven to be useful for Galaxy owners.
However, for 2026 and the Galaxy S26 line, Samsung is working with Perplexity and has actually integrated its Sonar API into the framework level of the software that powers these three smartphones. Bixby has been okay, but it should be much more useful beyond just changing device settings, as Perplexity will power the question-and-answer themed portion.
Either way, this speaks to Samsung continuing to work with partners to deliver a full set of AI features for its Galaxy smartphones, while giving you the power to choose which ones you want to enable.
3. Galaxy S26 Ultra: Iterative but great
Roland Moore-Colyer tested the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and while he felt it was probably the most iterative phone Samsung has made in some time, it’s still building a winning formula.
There are slightly brighter cameras, a more rounded design, better AI integration, a smarter Bixby, a powerful new chip, and the aforementioned privacy screen. All of this adds up to a phone that’s a little boring but will probably also be brilliant. We’ll have to put it to the test, but so far, the S26 Ultra looks like a class-leading phone.
4. Galaxy S26 phones: a set of small updates
There’s not much to write home about with the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus. You’ll be hard-pressed to notice much difference in the S26’s looks from its predecessor, but there are some changes under the hood.
Specifically, both phones get new chips: an Exynos 2600 or Snapdragon 8 Elite 5 for the Galaxy chip if you’re in the US, China, or Japan. This promises to offer a performance boost that may not be noticeable in everyday use, but should speed up AI functions. Both the S26 and S26 Plus also have larger batteries: 4300 mAh and 4900 mAh, respectively.
Storage now starts at 256GB, with a 512GB option for people who don’t like cloud storage. But there’s a catch to this: the Galaxy S26 starts at $899 / £879 / AU$1,549 and the S26 Plus costs $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849. This is a shocking price for phones that aren’t much different from their predecessors.
5. Samsung Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro: Great audio and design improvements, but one big problem remains
Samsung has updated its entry-level flagship earbuds, namely the Galaxy Buds4 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro. So what’s new, apart from the price difference of $179/£159/AU$299 for the Buds4, versus $249/£219/AU$399 for the Buds4 Pro?
Well, we tested the Buds4 Pro from the start and straight away the new folding case is a winner, as is the updated ‘leaf’ stem on the buds. Leaf light? Missing. Color-coded buttons so you can tell at a glance which side of the case to put them back on? Missing. Patented tip locking system that prevents you from using third-party tips and makes them extremely difficult to remove? Unfortunately, it’s not gone…
Despite this complicated system that caused so many problems with the Buds 3 Pro, the earbuds lagged (many people need to change the tips when they first put on the earbuds, and users quickly became afraid to do so, given how easily they could break said tips). So has the problem been solved this time? Unfortunately not, and it’s hard to understand why Samsung has left this big problem unresolved.
6. Double down on Armor Aluminum
While the highlight of the Galaxy S25 Ultra was its titanium construction (it was even in the color names), Samsung is ditching that material and doubling down on Armor Aluminum. That means the S26 Ultra opts for aluminum instead of titanium, just like the S26 and S26 Plus. It’s a similar move to what Apple did with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, although the iPhone Air still uses titanium.
With the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung notes that it uses stronger and more rigid aluminum than the standard S26 or S26 Plus. The Ultra is also thinner and lighter year over year, while all three phones now feature a more unified look. We’re eager to see how Samsung’s switch to aluminum feels in hand while we test it, as well as how it performs in the weeks, months and years to come.
7. Problems with RAM?
As mentioned above, Samsung has increased the prices of the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus over their predecessors. Senior writer Hamish Hector did some digging, and while he couldn’t get Samsung to confirm that a RAM shortage driven by AI’s appetite for fast memory is to blame, there’s a sneaking suspicion that price increases might have some link to this “crisis.”
Either way, it could spell the end for $799 flagship Android phones. It would be a sad situation given that some Android phones offered a good balance of technology and specifications for that price range. Hopefully the RAM shortage will subside as 2026 progresses, but don’t hold your breath.
8. Gemini gets a new feature exclusive to the S26
Just as Google partnered with Samsung to bring Circle to Search to Galaxy devices ahead of Pixels, Android’s Sameer Samat took the stage to show off a new Gemini feature that’s exclusive to the S26 line, at least for now.
Essentially, it’s our first test of Gemini running in agent form for select tasks, like ordering a pizza or calling an Uber, as the AI can open its own virtual window and use its multimodal tools to handle background actions for you.
It’s pretty cool, and we’re definitely eager to put it to the test, both to see how it expands to other Android devices (probably in beta form at Google I/O) and how it compares to what Apple eventually ships as its AI-powered Siri, expected sometime in 2026.
9. Has Edge disappeared?
We found that the Galaxy S25 Edge (and a potential S26 Edge) is not as central to Samsung’s future plans as previously thought. There was no mention of the product that joined the lineup less than a year ago, and while that could mean Samsung is waiting until May for a major update, a teaser would certainly have been needed.
For now, the focus is, at least from a design standpoint, on the more unified look of the S26 line and the S26 Ultra, which is thinner and lighter year after year. This could suggest that Samsung is taking lessons from the Galaxy S25 Edge and once again applying them to its main flagship devices.
Remember, the S25 Edge came first and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 followed with an ultra-slim design.
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