Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S26 series at an event held at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts on February 25, 2026, showcasing three new smartphone models – the S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra – alongside the Galaxy Buds4 series.
The Galaxy S26 lineup features a redesigned aesthetic, characterized by rounded edges and a unified color palette across all three models. Samsung emphasized a slimmer and lighter build, with the S26 Ultra measuring 0.3 mm thinner than its predecessor and weighing 214 grams. All models will ship with a minimum of 256GB of storage, a change from previous generations, and utilize a slightly overclocked version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, branded “For Galaxy.” The base price for both the S26 and S26+ has increased by $100 compared to the previous cycle.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces a new “Privacy Display” feature, designed to limit side-angle viewing without requiring a screen protector. Developed over more than five years, the technology darkens the screen when viewed from an angle, obscuring sensitive content from onlookers. Users can assign the Privacy Display to the side button’s double-press function for quick activation. The camera system on the Ultra also received updates, including wider apertures on the 200MP main sensor and the 5x telephoto lens, while the selfie camera remains a 12MP shooter.
Samsung is heavily integrating artificial intelligence across the S26 series with its third-generation Galaxy AI features. “Now Brief” provides a personalized morning summary of weather, calendar events, and reminders before the phone is unlocked. “Now Nudge” proactively suggests relevant actions based on the current screen content. The company has also partnered with Google to incorporate Gemini-powered Scam Detection, which aims to automatically filter spam calls, and an enhanced version of Circle to Search, capable of identifying multiple objects within a single image.
Alongside the smartphones, Samsung announced the Galaxy Buds4 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro. The Buds4 Pro offer adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), improved spatial audio, and enhanced call clarity. The standard Buds4 provide core Galaxy AI features at a more affordable price point.
Pre-orders for all S26 models and the Buds4 series began on February 25, 2026. Samsung is offering a $30 credit towards pre-orders and a chance to win a $5,000 gift card. Trade-in programs offer up to $900 in savings, or a $150 credit without a trade-in. Reservations are also being accepted through AT&T and Best Buy.