Samsung just pulled the curtain back on its highly anticipated smartphone lineup during a major Unpacked event on February 25. Streaming live to fans across YouTube and the company’s official website, the tech giant officially introduced the Galaxy S26, S26+, and the powerhouse S26 Ultra. Pre-orders are already live for early adopters, and the entire new family of devices will officially hit store shelves on March 11, 2026.
A Deeper Focus on Personalized AI
According to the official press release, Samsung is doubling down on artificial intelligence and device security this year. Galaxy AI is evolving to feel far more personal and adaptable, engineered primarily to act as a seamless assistant that streamlines your daily routines. Those who register early through Samsung’s website are getting more than just updates. The company is offering exclusive, pre-event benefits to registered users, which will likely take the form of digital goodies like custom wallpapers or special promotional perks.
The S26 Ultra Gets Thinner, Smarter, and Faster
The Galaxy S26 Ultra brings some highly requested changes to the table compared to last year’s model. Aesthetically, it features a slight redesign with a fresh camera island and a noticeably thinner profile. Under the hood, the Ultra abandons the Exynos chip in favor of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. This processor is specifically optimized to handle heavy-duty, enhanced AI performance.
Privacy is also getting a massive hardware-software boost. Samsung introduced a brand-new Privacy Display for the Ultra, utilizing advanced blackout technology to automatically hide sensitive on-screen content from anyone trying to view your phone from an angle. Power users will be thrilled to see wired fast charging pushed to 60 watts. While the base Ultra starts with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, the massive 1 TB variant bumps the memory up to an impressive 16 GB.
Massive Camera Overhaul and Video Upgrades
Photography is where the Galaxy S26 Ultra flexes its muscles. Samsung is focusing heavily on light capture and lens apertures rather than just bumping up the megapixel count. The 200 MP main wide camera now features a wide f/1.4 aperture, allowing the 0.6µm sensor to pull in a staggering 47% more light for drastically brighter shots in dark environments. Combined with enhanced noise reduction powered by the new application processor, low-light performance is seeing a massive generational leap.
The rest of the rear array includes a 50 MP ultra-wide lens (f/1.9), a 10 MP 3x optical zoom camera, and a 50 MP zoom lens that captures 37% more vivid colors. Up front, the 12 MP selfie shooter now boasts a wider field of view. Thanks to improved image processing, it renders highly realistic skin tones and hair textures regardless of your lighting conditions.
Video capture hasn’t been ignored either. A new Super Steady video feature utilizes real-time gyro and accelerometer data to automatically lock your horizon, resulting in incredibly smooth and stable footage. You can shoot dynamic 4K video supported by AI-powered autoframing, while Enhanced Nightography Video ensures your clips stay vibrant and clear even when the sun goes down.
Naturally, a whole suite of AI tools backs up the camera hardware. Photo Assist returns with a major upgrade; instead of just removing unwanted objects, the AI can now generate and add entirely new elements to your images, allowing you to completely transform a daytime scene into a nighttime landscape. A new Photo Editing Workflow also lets you pause your edits in the gallery and pick up exactly where you left off later without restarting the process.
Upgrades for the Standard Galaxy S26
While the Ultra steals the spotlight, the standard Galaxy S26 packs its own solid upgrades, confirming months of hardware leaks. The base model relies on the Exynos 2600 chip, offering a significant performance jump over its predecessor. It retains 12 GB of RAM but stretches the screen slightly from 6.2 to 6.3 inches. Battery life should see a noticeable bump as well, with capacity moving from 4,000 mAh up to 4,300 mAh. Crucially, all three devices across the S26 family now support modern wireless charging via the Qi2 standard.
Pricing and Carrier Deals
Flagship phones certainly aren’t getting any cheaper, but Samsung is holding the line on its premium tier. The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299.99, keeping the exact same starting price as the S25 Ultra, even as the base and Plus models become more expensive this year.
Carriers are already fighting for your upgrade with aggressive promotions. Going directly through Samsung nets you enhanced trade-in credit for your old device, plus access to exclusive colorways you can’t get anywhere else. Verizon is heavily subsidizing the launch, offering up to $1,100 off the new Ultra. Meanwhile, both T-Mobile and AT&T are offering the Galaxy S26 Ultra essentially for free, provided you meet their specific trade-in and unlimited line requirements.
