Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event came and went with a live show in San Francisco, where we got our first glimpse at the company’s Galaxy S26 lineup. We’re here to make sure you get all the juicy details about them in our live blog, along with any other special surprises.
This year’s event happened nearly a month later than in previous years, but it continued to set the tone for all other major phone releases this year. Much of the focus has been on the flagship model, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which packs some notable hardware upgrades — like a new Privacy Display that’s unlike anything seen before.
But that’s not all. We got all the details about the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus. While the U.S. models get the latest Snapdrahon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, phones in other regions are being powered by the Exynos 2600. At the same time, both of these phones get $100 price hikes, while the S26 Ultra remains at $1,299.
Here's everything we've reported about all the latest news with our Galaxy Unpacked 2026 coverage.
When is Galaxy Unpacked?
It started at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. GMT on February 25, 2026. That’s significantly later than the January 22 date of last year’s event.
After that date came and went without an announcement, Samsung shared the official date on February 10, 2026 — fitting the roughly two-week lead time the company typically leans on for its major reveals.
How to watch Galaxy Unpacked 2026
In addition to our live blog, you can rewatch the livestream on Samsung’s YouTube channel. The show will be available to stream on Samsung.com and the Samsung Newsroom as well.
Galaxy Unpacked 2026: Biggest announcements
Galaxy Unpacked 2026 is now over and Samsung’s obviously spent a great deal of time on its flagship phones, but we also heard a lot about the software they’ll be running, new Galaxy AI features, and other hardware devices like the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro.
At last year’s event, Samsung used the opportunity to tease two devices: the Galaxy S25 Edge and the Project Moohan headset (which subsequently became the Galaxy XR). Unfortunately, the show ended without any other teasers.
Here’s everything announced at Galaxy Unpacked 2026:
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: This flagship model has a never-before-seen "Privacy Display," and more powerful Galaxy AI features.
- Galaxy S26: Samsung’s entry-level flagship features a larger and brighter 6.3-inch display.
- Galaxy S26 Plus: The "middle child" of the group packs a larger 6.7-inch AMOLED screen and a 4,900 mAh battery.
- Privacy Display: This new display tech allows the S26 Ultra to dim the screen so that it can't be viewed from the sides. It's also customizable.
- Galaxy AI: Samsung has teased new AI-assisted tricks that bring big camera improvements, but also more robust productivity tools like Now Nudge.
- Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro: Samsung’s wireless earbuds feature a significant and improved clarity.
To upgrade or not? That is the question
If you're holding onto the Galaxy S23 Ultra or S24 Ultra, you might be wondering if it’s time to upgrade to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. There’s obviously going to be bigger hardware upgrades with Samsung’s upcoming flagship model, so we break down the biggest differences between the last few generation models compared to the rumored S26 Ultra. If a wider f/1.4 aperture with the main camera isn’t enough, the S26 Ultra is reportedly going to get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and more Galaxy AI features.
The biggest upgrades to the Galaxy S26 Ultra could come down to AI
Teaser videos shared by Samsung hint at significant camera improvements coming to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The most eye-catching clip purportedly shows a hybrid zoom enhancement that allows the camera to capture high-quality shots even at extreme distances.
We’ve seen a similar feature with Pro Res Zoom on the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 XL, but it will be interesting to see if Samsung’s version applies to video rather than just still photos.
Leaked renders reveal new color shades for S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra
Recently, renowned leaker Evan Blass shared high-resolution renders of the entire Galaxy S26 lineup in all of its new shades. What’s particularly interesting this year is that all models appear to be available in the exact same core colors: Black, White, Cobalt Violet, and Sky Blue. Furthermore, these renders seem to confirm that Samsung is ditching the titanium frame found on the S25 Ultra in favor of a refined Armor Aluminum frame, as the "Titanium" moniker is notably absent from the leaked color names.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Galaxy Z TriFold: Which premium phone should you get?
Samsung has already made waves with the Galaxy Z TriFold, its triple-folding smartphone-tablet hybrid that costs a whopping $2,900. While that is undoubtedly a steep price to pay, the device offers unique perks you won’t find in any other phone on the market. Of course, it’s now squaring off against the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra. There are many rumors that make the new flagship a compelling choice — most notably the significant camera upgrades — so we’re breaking it all down in our Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Galaxy Z TriFold comparison.
Brace yourself for high pricing
A Korean pricing rumor suggests that Samsung may be increasing the cost of the Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly. Not something we ever want to hear when talking about new phones.
This is likely due to the ongoing RAM and storage shortage, as well as increasing costs of other parts like Snapdragon chipsets. We can hope that Samsung doesn't bring this price increase to the U.S., U.K. or Australia though - something that we've seen in previous generations.
Samsung's new display tech could be a game-changer
A long-running rumor has claimed that Samsung will add a privacy display to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, allowing it to make the screen harder to read from the side at will. Leaked options for this mode (shown above) show there will be automated options too. If this works as the leaks say it will, then this could be one of the most exciting smartphone hardware updates we've seen in a number of years.
The Galaxy gets more spacious
Samsung is rumored to be following Apple's example and offering 256GB of storage as the basic spec of all Galaxy S26 models. The 128GB baseline was removed from the Plus and Ultra Galaxy S models with the Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra, but the basic Galaxy S model has retained the lower storage option up to the Galaxy S25.
More storage is generally a good thing, but this can sometimes be accompanied by a price increase. And if Samsung has indeed increased the price of the Galaxy S26 series as other tipsters have claimed, then the extra basic storage rumor may not be quite as generous as it appears on its face.
Aperture antics
There has been talk of Samsung bringing back a variable aperture to at least the Galaxy S26 Ultra this year. This is a camera feature that allows the phone to adjust the opening of a camera to let in more or less light, which can help with image quality depending on the scenario.
This is something Samsung did before, but we've not seen it on a Galaxy phone since the Galaxy S10. Bringing it back would be a big deal, and once again set Samsung's smartphone cameras apart from those of its rivals in a meaningful way.
What's happening with the S26 Edge?
After the Galaxy S25 Edge launched in the middle of 2025, we had expected Samsung to bring an updated version with the Galaxy S26 series. But the rumors have conflicted on what will happen to Samsung's new slim flagship phone.
One side of the argument says that, after seeing the lackluster sales of the S25 Edge, Samsung has now abandoned the S26 Edge. But there is also apparent evidence that Samsung continues to work on the next Edge phone. Maybe it'll debut late as its predecessor did, but it seems fairly conclusive that Samsung won't have an Edge to show off in full at Wednesday's event.
A bigger base model
It's been rumored that the standard Galaxy S26 model will grow to 6.3 inches in size, and gain a larger battery as part of the deal. Whether that would be a good thing or not will depend on what kind of user you are.
If you're after the most possible value from your phone, then getting more display space and longer battery life is absolutely worth this change. But some users like their phones on the small side, and seeing Samsung making its smallest flagship phone (excluding the Galaxy Z Flip series) larger seems like a bad direction to go in.
These photos prove why Galaxy S26 Ultra wider camera aperture is a good thing
I've taken countless photos with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and while it shoots confidently in challenging conditions, the rumors about the Galaxy S26 Ultra receiving a wider aperture for its main camera are significant. The nighttime photos in the gallery above — which I shot with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max — are proof of why such an upgrade is necessary.
While the Galaxy S25 Ultra's low-light photos look good, the iPhone 17 Pro Max remains the king of the night with its superior ability to draw out details in the shadows. I can consistently make out more fine detail in the iPhone's shots, whereas the Galaxy S25 Ultra tends to hide them in the darkness.
By moving to a wider aperture (reportedly f/1.4), the Galaxy S26 Ultra would be able to gather significantly more light in the same amount of time, resulting in a brighter, cleaner image.
Here's how you can tune into the Galaxy Unpacked livestream
Samsung's hosting its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco tomorrow, where we'll likely get our first new look at the Galaxy S26 lineup. But for everyone else, there are a number of ways on how to watch Galaxy Unpacked 2026 live.
The most obvious way is to tune into Samsung's official YouTube channel, where there's a countdown under way until the big event. Alternatively, you can watch all the action as they unfold through Samsung.com and the Samsung Newsroom.
Just as a reminder, the festivities promptly begin at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. GMT tomorrow, February 25.
Will there be any major changes to Samsung's hidden camera mode?
Did you know Galaxy flagship phones have a hidden camera mode? It’s called Expert RAW, and it’s a separate download that you initiate within the camera app. I finally gave it a shot a few months ago and was astounded by the results.
First of all, it has a dedicated astrophotography mode that helped me capture the stunning shots above with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. With the Galaxy S26 reveal happening tomorrow, I’m hoping Samsung has some new tricks in store for Expert RAW — especially given the rumors that the S26 Ultra in particular might be getting a variable aperture.
Charge cycles
A new leak suggests that Samsung will offer fewer charge cycles with the Galaxy S26 series than it did with the S25. A leak from Ytechb says the phone will get 1,200 charge cycles, a notable drop from the 2,000 offered by previous models. This means the battery will drop to 80% health after 1,200 cycles.
The phones do offer A-class energy efficiency. This makes them one of the most energy-efficient smartphones to hit the market, assuming everything laid out in the leak is accurate.
S26 Ultra could be quite powerful
Recent alleged benchmark results from Geekbench leaked, purporting to show how the S26 Ultra and its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip perform.
If true, the S26 Ultra could finally be a true iPhone competitor with Qualcomm's chips finally catching up to Apple's A-series CPUs.
The score gave the phone a single-core score of 3,852 and a multicore score of 11,738. Both significantly beat the iPhone 17 Pro series.
Best Galaxy S26 preorder deal
Tom's Guide deal expert Louis Ramirez discovered the best pre-order deals for the forthcoming Galaxy S26 phones.
For the deal, check out our guide here. Save $30 with a $900 trade-in.
OneUI 8.5 will bring some changes as well
Alongside the S26 lineup, Samsung is supposed to release the full One UI 8.5 update.
We're expecting a number of upgrades, including a Liquid Glass-esque redesign and a Bixby revamp, if you use that.
Here's a full list of everything we expect to see in One UI 8.5.
The Galaxy Z TriFold got this huge update, but will the Galaxy S26 Ultra get it too?
When the Galaxy Z TriFold launched late last month, one particular feature drew me in more than anything — and I'm not referring to how it folds out to reveal that massive 10-inch display. I'm talking about its dedicated Samsung DeX mode, which makes me wonder if Samsung is planning to bring this enhanced experience to the Galaxy S26 lineup.
There hasn't been a dramatic change to Samsung DeX over the last few generations. I’ve used DeX on my Galaxy S25 Ultra, but the platform is definitely due for a major upgrade. What makes the TriFold’s version of DeX special is that it’s a dedicated mode offering up to four workspaces — with each one capable of running up to five apps simultaneously.
But there’s even more to this new version: it can run as a standalone, on-device experience without needing to connect to an external monitor. I’m crossing my fingers that the S26 Ultra gets access to this same powerful version of DeX tomorrow.
Is Samsung wrong for pursuing the Galaxy S26 Plus?
After reviewing both the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Edge, it's pretty evident that the middle child of the lineup is increasingly becoming a tough sell. This makes me question what Samsung may end up showing at Unpacked tomorrow.
Rumors hint at a strong likelihood that the Galaxy S26 Plus will make an appearance alongside the Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra, especially since the Galaxy S25 Edge didn't have a significant impact on Samsung's bottom line.
Still, it makes me wonder if the Galaxy S26 Plus is worth looking at. If Samsung does indeed move forward with a successor to the Galaxy S25 Edge, it would need several changes to make it a noteworthy option over the Galaxy S26 Plus. I just don't want it to be in no man's land again.
Pro Res Zoom is the perfect example of AI-enhanced photos, but Galaxy AI could do better
One of the best AI features I've tested in the last year is Google's Pro Res Zoom with the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL. Essentially, it leans on generative AI to enhance photos taken at 30x zoom and beyond — and you can see the night and day difference in the photos above.
I captured the image at 100x zoom, and based on the result of the first shot, it certainly looks like it was captured at that range. With Pro Res Zoom, however, the software analyzes the photo and adds details that make it look way better.
I suspect Samsung is going to show off a similar feature at Unpacked tomorrow, especially considering how it has already shared teaser videos that seem to show off the zooming enhancements of its phones. It's unclear if it'll be accessible across all its new devices or simply exclusive to the S26 Ultra — but it would certainly make for a compelling addition.
Perhaps another year of waiting for proper Qi2 magnets?
Samsung introduced Qi2 wireless charging support with last year's Galaxy S25, along with phone cases that feature magnetic rings. Meaning, they lack the magnetic wireless charging aspect that iPhone users have access to with MagSafe.
With the Galaxy S26, it appears that we may have to wait yet another year before getting proper magnetic wireless charging after Dutch site Nieuwemobiel leaked details about various Galaxy S26 accessories, including a number of cases that appear to feature a built-in magnetic ring.
It's a shame if this turns out to be true because the Pixel 10 lineup has proper Qi2 magnetic wireless charging support courtesy of PixelSnap.
New Galaxy Buds headphones
Samsung hasn't officially announced them but a Canadian landing page for Galaxy Unpacked revealed that we will see new Galaxy Buds.
We expect to see both the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro debut alongside the Galaxy S26 lineup.
Are you planning on buying an S26?
Let us know, will you be picking up an S26 Ultra once its available?
I'll tell you I plan on it. I have an S22 that is showing its age including an useable charging port.
How to watch Galaxy Unpacked
Galaxy Unpacked 2026 kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, February 25 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. GMT.
You can follow along via Samsung's YouTube channel (seen above), Samsung.com, and the Samsung Newsroom.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro
Based on what rumors and expected specs we've seen we were able to put together a comparison of the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro.
Largely, I believe it will come down to price. The 17 Pro is a bit cheaper than even the currently available S25 Ultra. The S26 Ultra could get more expensive thanks to RAM prices. The phones are comparable, so money will probably be the sticking point.
5,000 mAh tipped for Galaxy S26 Ultra, but is it enough?
Average Battery life (Hrs:Mins) |
|
OnePlus 15 |
25:13 |
OnePlus 13 |
19:45* |
iPhone 17 Pro Max |
17:54 |
Galaxy S25 Ultra |
14:27 |
Unlike the OnePlus 15, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is tipped to retain the same 5,000 mAh battery as its predecessor — passing on the shift to a silicon-carbon battery.
This is noteworthy because, as I’ve detailed in my OnePlus 15 review, this new battery tech allows for higher capacities without increasing the cell's physical footprint. As a result, the OnePlus 15 has set the record for the longest-lasting phone in Tom's Guide's battery drain test.
I suspect the Galaxy S26 Ultra will still outlast the Galaxy S25 Ultra, as it will likely benefit from the more power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. But imagine how much longer it could go with a silicon-carbon battery.
Galaxy S26 could come out on top over the Pixel 10 as the AI phone to beat
With the arrival of the Pixel 10 last fall, Google proved yet again that it's the AI phone to beat. However, Samsung has the opportunity to take over the throne.
Quite simply, it's going to come down to which Galaxy AI features Samsung has in store for its base flagship model. The Pixel 10 already has access to several impressive tools, like one of the best call screening features around and a remarkable photo editor that makes complex manipulations a breeze with Ask Photos.
While hardware upgrades are tipped to be minimal, AI features are going to play a huge role in adding value to the Galaxy S26.
What's going on with the S Pen?
The S Pen has been a staple feature of the Ultra, but rumors have been swirling about Samsung's intentions for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Early on, it was reported that the S Pen digitizer might be removed — a move that would have stripped the stylus of its pressure sensitivity and hover functions.
However, leaked specs later on suggest this is not the case. Despite this, there have been few indications of what new features, if any, the S26 Ultra’s stylus will actually offer.
Orange injected life to the iPhone 17 Pros, but will Samsung follow suit?
I've seen several iPhone 17 Pros in the wild identifiable by their unique camera arrays, but they all tend to share one thing: Cosmic Orange. There's no denying this new color was a hit with buyers, so it would stand to reason that Samsung might follow suit.
Early on, dummy units purportedly of the Galaxy S26 Ultra surfaced showing a very bright orange finish. However, subsequent leaks indicate that Samsung is moving away from that shade — a move I don't necessarily blame them for. Instead, it seems Ultraviolet is being positioned as the hero color for the lineup.
Will the Galaxy S26 Edge be part of the announcement?
I know rumors paint a grim picture for the follow-up to the Galaxy S25 Edge. It was the one last thing the company teased at the end of its Unpacked event last year, but it’s now up in the air whether a Galaxy S26 Edge will ever see the light of day.
Whether the delays are due to speculations hinting at soft sales or internal pivots, there is clearly an opportunity for Samsung to make things right. If there’s one thing from my Galaxy S25 Edge review that felt like too much of a compromise, it was undoubtedly the battery.
While I'm not optimistic the Galaxy S26 Edge will appear at Unpacked later today, Samsung could be saving it for a more appropriate time. For starters, I’d love to see Samsung do its homework on the silicon-carbon battery tech that is currently revolutionizing the market.
Why release a thin phone with poor endurance? Samsung should use this time to refine its new battery tech and give the S26 Edge the longevity it deserves.
These photos show a huge hurdle for the Galaxy S26 to overcome
Among all the flagship models priced at $799, I still believe the Pixel 10 is the best of the bunch. In fact, I think it’s significantly better than both the iPhone 17 and the Galaxy S25. With that in mind, the Galaxy S26 certainly has a huge hurdle to overcome.
The side-by-side comparison photos above between the Pixel 10 and Galaxy S25 show just how much of an improvement Google made by arming its phone with a 5x optical telephoto camera. It easily captures more detail than the 3x optical zoom found on the Galaxy S25.
Rumors indicate that the Galaxy S26's telephoto shooter will remain at 3x optical zoom, so I’m crossing my fingers that Galaxy AI can save the day by applying the processing enhancements needed to rival the Pixel 10’s performance.
What's going to happen with Circle to Search?
Circle to Search is a general Android feature, but it's been a while since we heard about any upgrades coming to Galaxy phones first. In fact, it's been a good few years since we had an Unpacked that didn't feature some kind of upgrade. It may be a Google feature, but the newest stuff tends to come to Samsung phones first.
The question is, what kind of additions could we see? Circle to Search has come a long way over the past couple of years, and I'm struggling to think of any ways it might be able to improve. But my lack of imagination isn't a reason to let the feature stagnate - especially with how useful it can be. Hopefully, we'll find out more at Galaxy Unpacked later today.
When's the release date?
Samsung obviously hasn't given us any details about the Galaxy S26's release date yet. But that doesn't mean we can't speculate about when we think the phones will land in our hands.
The Galaxy S25 was revealed on January 22, ahead of a February 7 release date. A year prior, the Galaxy S24 arrived on January 17, before being released on January 31. The Galaxy S23 debuted on February 1, and was released on February 17.
So we're likely to see a wait of two to two-and-a-half weeks. If Samsung sticks to that pattern, the S26 may arrive between March 11 and 13.
Don't expect a major hardware overhaul
Galaxy S26 series promote poster 🫣 pic.twitter.com/7eABisBsG9February 21, 2026
Any of you hoping to see big changes to the Galaxy S26 series' hardware are likely to be disappointed. Leaked marketing material has already revealed some of the potential specs, and it sounds like none of us should really get our hopes up.
The materials claim that the camera hardware is more or less unchanged from last year, with the same 200MP main lens, 50MP ultrawide and a pair of telephoto lenses sporting 50MP (5x optical) and 10MP (3x optical) resolution, respectively. Unsurprisingly, the design is more or less the same as the S25 series.
Likewise, the battery is tipped to stick at 5,000 mAh for another year. However, the promise that the phone will recharge to 75% in 30 minutes, compared to the S25 Ultra's 65%, means we might be getting that long-awaited charging speed increase after all.
Of course, leaked specs and rumors don't always paint a full picture. So maybe Samsung will be able to surprise us with something exciting later today.
A whole new kind of AI camera
Cameras and AI have been mixing for a long time now, but we've started seeing a lot more user-facing integration between the two — rather than just behind-the-scenes processing. Samsung has already announced plans for the future of this, and it sounds like the Galaxy S26 will be at the forefront.
Samsung's newest Galaxy Camera app will supposedly bring the camera and editing aspects of photography together in a unified space. But, more importantly, it's going to integrate conversational AI to make the whole process easier.
So instead of actually setting up your phone camera to take a specific shot, you should be able to ask the onboard AI to do all that hard work for you. Without the need to tinker with different settings. On top of that, Samsung sounds like it'll be introducing a version of Google Pixel 10's conversational editing. This lets you use voice and text prompts to edit your photos, and again saves you the hassle of doing it all manually.
How powerful will the new chips be?
One of the things you can count on with a Galaxy phone launch is the addition of a brand-new chipset. This year, we're expecting to see the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 make an appearance on some of the phones, either as the standard chip or an overclocked "For Galaxy" model. But how much more powerful would that chip be, exactly?
Leaks have already suggested that we should see increased NPU performance of 39%, while GPU and CPU performance will apparently be up 24% and 19%, respectively. We've also seen leaked benchmarks for the S26 Ultra, which suggest it may finally overtake an iPhone on single-core benchmarks. That has never happened before, and is a huge step for Qualcomm's chips — until the iPhone 18 Pro comes along and beats it, I assume.
Either way, expect a big leap in performance power this year.
Big savings on your Galaxy S26 pre-order
If you already have plans to pre-order one of the Galaxy S26 phones, then you're going to want to try to save as much money as possible. Luckily, we've already uncovered one of the best pre-order deals around, which will net you a $30 credit and save you up to $900 on the price of the phone itself.
All you need to do to claim all this is register your interest with Samsung itself. Not only will you be sent a $30 credit towards the cost of a new Galaxy S26-series phone, you'll also be eligible for enhanced trade-in credit — which will net you up to $900 off your purchase after you hand over your old phone.
You don't even have to commit to buying the phone, so if Galaxy Unpacked proves to be a total dud, and you lose interest in the S26, then you don't have to buy one.
The S26 Ultra's killer feature might not be what you expect
Privacy Display #SamsungS26Ultra pic.twitter.com/ucPDvdnYzrFebruary 22, 2026
One of the more exciting features coming to the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the new Privacy Display. While it may not be the kind of thing that comes to mind when you think "cool and interesting," the idea behind it seems pretty well thought out.
Various leaks have shown us that activating the Privacy Display essentially cuts off the view on your phone unless you're looking at it straight on. So anyone trying to peek from the sides is only going to be met with the view of a black screen.
Which sounds like the perfect way to keep your sensitive information safe, considering how much of it is on your phone.
Don't forget about the possible price hikes...
It's something that gets speculated about every year, and there are fresh rumors that the Galaxy S26 series may experience a price hike — or at least it will in the EU.
Various new leaks suggest that the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus may cost even more if you buy in Europe, with the S26 and S26 potentially costing €100 more than their Galaxy S25 equivalents. That means buyers could be forced to pay a minimum of €999 and €1,259 for the respective phones.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra may come out (mostly) unscathed, though. Rumor has it that the phone will stick to the €1,449 price tag of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Though there are some source claiming it may cost €1,469 instead — a €20 increase.
The end of fixed aperture?
One of the coolest features available on the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S10 was the variable camera aperture. This gave the user the option to switch between one of two camera apertures and control how much light actually entered the camera.
Sadly, this was removed from the Galaxy S20 and has been missing ever since, but there has been speculation of a comeback on the Galaxy S26. Which is particularly prudent, seeing as how Apple is rumored to be adding a similar feature to the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.
We haven't heard many details about this particular feature, and there is some debate as to whether it's actually coming to a future Galaxy phone. But it will be interesting to see it make a comeback after 6 years of absence.
The batteries may not be as good this year
Rumor has it that the battery capacity isn't changing across the Galaxy S26 line-up, which is bad enough by itself. Sadly things are looking worse with leaked EU regulatory labels seemingly revealing that the batteries aren't as good as those on the Galaxy S25 series.
The labels claim that Samsung has rated the new batteries for 1,200 recharge cycles, after which you'll likely see battery health dip below 80%. That's in contrast to the 2,000 rated cycles on the S25 series last year.
It's not all bad news though. The batteries have received an A rating for energy efficiency, which should hopefully stave off the need to burn through those 1,200 cycles quite as quickly.
Being Edged out of the limelight
While there had been a lot of talk of the Galaxy S26 Plus being cancelled in favor of a Galaxy S26 Edge, that's apparently no longer the case. In fact, there's been almost total radio silence on the S26 Edge, which has us wondering whether it's coming at all. Especially in light of the S25 Edge's weak sales.
Given that the S25 Edge was a late release, there's every chance the S26 Edge may appear later this year. There is evidence that a new slim phone is in development, after all. But don't expect to hear much about it at Unpacked
Bad news for compact phone lovers
If you're still clamoring for the days when phones were small, then you're not going to like this. Rumors suggest that the base Galaxy S26 will grow this year, jumping from a 6.2-inch display to 6.3-inches.
Ok, so it's hardly the biggest growth spurt in the world, and it should mean you get a little bit more screen for your money. But it just goes to show that the era of the small phone is well and truly over.
Don't forget about the software
There's more to a Galaxy Unpacked launch than the phones. This will also mark the release of OneUI 8.5, which should be rolling out to the extended Galaxy phone line-up over the coming weeks and months.
Some of those upgrades include a Liquid Glass-style interface, a revamp for Bixby based on Perplexity AI, updated AI image generation and more. Be sure to check out our full story on everything to expect from OneUI 8.5 if you want to know more
A colorful bunch
If you're a fan of rocking your phone sans-case, then the color you choose is of the utmost importance. According to leaked renders we're going to see the Galaxy S26 series arrive in a choice of Black, White, Cobalt Violet and Sky Blue.
Leaker Evan Blass has also heard about three other options: Pink Gold, Silver Shadow and some kind of orange — though we haven't heard much about the latter for several months.
Some of those colors might end up as Samsung retail exclusives, since Samsung does have a habit of holding some flashier hues back for itself. However, it's unclear which ones might be limited, and which colors should be available at all retailers.
Galaxy S26 Ultra can't come up short against the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pixel 10 Pro XL
I've spent a year with the Galaxy S25 Ultra putting it to the test against the best phones out there, like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pixel 10 Pro XL, in my detailed report about predictions on how the Galaxy S26 Ultra compares to them.
There's also the matter of the OnePlus 15, which has become my favorite phone for the last couple of months since it launched. For the price and hardware that comes along with it, the Galaxy S26 Ultra needs to prove why it's going to be the big shot for the next several months.
To upgrade or not, that is the question
As with any new release, there’s always the matter of whether you should upgrade. One of the biggest questions I have is what price cut we might see for the Galaxy S25 when the Galaxy S26 lineup is finally revealed.
In years past, there has been at least a $100 price cut on older devices, but I’m confident that Samsung and the wireless carriers will offer enticing Galaxy S26 deals to convince people to upgrade. What do you think?
Samsung needs a strong response with the Galaxy S26 to top this Pixel 10 AI feature
I'm really looking forward to what Samsung will show off at Unpacked relating to Galaxy AI. Don't get me wrong, it has delivered some awesome tools with its last two major releases, but the Pixel 10's arrival last fall upped the ante.
What I'm eager to find out is whether Samsung has a response to one of my all-time favorite AI tools: Ask Photos. This remarkable feature debuted with the Pixel 10 and has since been rolled out in Google Photos, proving how helpful generative AI can be for photo edits.
Through a simple description, I'm able to use Ask Photos to make complex photo edits that would normally take me a long time to perform manually. As you can see from the results above, the potential for convincing edits is incredible. Will Samsung come out with something comparable?
Last-minute Galaxy S26 rumors shed light on the most pressing issues
We're nearing the start of Galaxy Unpacked, but there are three rumors I'm hoping will be dispelled shortly. The most intriguing whispers suggest a revolutionary new Privacy Display for the S26 Ultra, which basically acts like the privacy screen protector on my phone now but integrated directly into the display.
I'm also curious if Samsung will maintain the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 across the entire lineup or split it up with the Exynos 2600. There's also the matter of its pricing, which no doubt will have a big role in trying to convince people to upgrade.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Galaxy Z TriFold is one matchup I'm curious about
Even though all eyes are on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, I’m actually intrigued by another matchup. In our Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Galaxy Z TriFold comparison, we break down all the major differences between Samsung’s latest foldable and the rumors surrounding the S26 Ultra.
While I appreciate the extra utility the TriFold offers, its $2,900 price makes it a tough sell. On the other hand, it effectively combines a phone and tablet into one device. However, with the S26 Ultra’s rumored Privacy Display and likely lower starting price, it may actually be the more compelling option for most users. What do you think?
What rumored upgrade are you most excited for?
With the Galaxy S26 Ultra announcement right around the corner, we want to hear from you: which of the big rumored upgrades for the Galaxy S26 Ultra are you most excited about?
We're walking in!
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is getting underway and we're walking in right now. We're excited to see what Samsung is bringing to the table with its new phones and we're ready to experience any potential surprises.
We're seated and ready for this show to begin!
There's a packed crowd from the looks of it at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, as Tom's Guide video produced Paul Antill share his view from his seat. There's a lot expected out of this show, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is shaping to be the focus for the event. What else might we see?
You can watch the live stream right now
Unpacked is about to kick off, but you can stay up to date by watching the live stream above. It's also being streamed on Samsung's web site and the Samsung Pressroom.
Say hello to the new Galaxy S26 lineup!
Even as Unpacked is getting underway, we've already spent time checking out all the new phones. Don't forget to get all the juicy details about the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. There's plenty of good stuff!
Unpacked kicks off with best friends video
Samsung starts off its Unpacked event with a heart felt video with two kids who are best friends, which is a departure from the hardware focus intros of past events.
No surprise AI is a central pillar for Samsung
Before anything else, Samsung spends a lot of the intro talking big about AI and how it's one of its central pillars.
World's first Privacy Display
One of the biggest rumors about the Galaxy S26 Ultra has been the Privacy Display, and now it's been officially revealed. This is unlike anything else previously seen before and I'm sure accessory makers are scared
Galaxy S26 Ultra kicks off Unpacked with 'Agentic AI'
Not surprisingly, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the first device introduced at Unpacked. And while its Privacy Display was teased earlier, Samsung's spending time on Galaxy AI features first. This "Agentic AI" should transform the way the phone's used.
We dive deep into all the new Galaxy S26 Ultra features
Why sit through Samsung's presentation when you can get all details about the killer features of the Galaxy S26 Ultra with our video above. From its new Privacy Display, to its helpful new Galaxy AI features, we go through everything you need to know about this best phone contender.
Sorry Google, Now Nudge could be the proactive AI feature we want
One of its new Galaxy AI features is Now Nudge, which works very similarly to the Magic Cue with the Pixel 10. This feature will proactively make suggestions based on what you're doing on the phone.
'Getting stuff done' is what Google's after
Google's head of Android Ecosystem, Sameer Samat, takes center stage at Unpacked to talk details about new Gemini features. AI is a big focus with everyone, but Samat says that it should be used to "getting stuff done."
Galaxy S26 or Galaxy S26 Plus? Here's the breakdown
In our Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus hands-on, we detail what's different between these two phones, including their prices.
Redesigned vapor chamber keep Galaxy S26 Ultra cool under pressure
In order to keep it running at optimal performance, there's a redesigned Vapor Chamber with the Galaxy S26 Ultra to better dissipate heat under grueling conditions.
Privacy Display is legit and game changing!
Out of everything new with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the one new feature that stands out the most is the Privacy Display. It doesn't just allow you to dim the screen to prevent unwanted eyes from seeing it, but it's customizable as well to activate with certain apps.
Galaxy S26 Ultra gains a wider aperture
And just like that, the previous rumors about the Galaxy S26 Ultra getting wider apertures turned out true. The 200MP main cameras an f/1.4 aperture that should make it better for low light, while the 50MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom also gets upgraded to an f/2.9 aperture.
Galaxy S26 series gets horizontal lock
Similar to many action cameras out there, the entire Galaxy S26 lineup offers a new horizontal lock feature that keeps the framing locked, all while mitigating shakes that happen while it's being used to record clips.
More generative AI tools at your disposal with Galaxy AI
The Galaxy S26 is getting a big boost with new generative AI tools that lets you do a bunch of new things. From quick fixes to generating new images, you can now perform complex edits by just typing what you want.
Galaxy S26 prices revealed, along with release date
How do you feel about the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus getting $100 price hikes over last year's models? Thankfully the S26 Ultra remains at $1,299.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro come with a sleeker design
Even though it's just being introduced at Unpacked, we've already spent a great deal of time testing out its latest flagship earbuds in our Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review. From its updated design, to its Galaxy AI integration, and improved sound performance, we tell you exactly how the Buds 4 Pro stacks up against the competition.
Galaxy S26 Ultra versus the competition
The Galaxy S26 Ultra comes with a ton of new features, but it's going to need more in order to beat some of the titans in the phone space. We compare the flagship model against some of its peers, so you know if it's worth the upgrade.
Expert RAW adds new Ocean Mode for underwater photography
I've spent a great deal of time checking out the hidden camera mode in Galaxy phones called Expert RAW, but Samsung's adding a new mode called Ocean Mode that better adapts the camera for underwater photography.
And that's a warp! No special surprise ending
And just like that folks, Galaxy Unpacked is over. There's no one more thing moment at the end with this event, with Samsung choosing instead to talk about its sustainability efforts.
Samsung went big with Galaxy AI — here's what we're excited about
Samsung went hard on Galaxy AI this year, introducing a swarm of new features that covers everything from photo-assisted tools to robust productivity ones. From the Now Nudge, to an updated Photo Assist tool that leans on generative AI, here are the biggest new Galaxy AI features you should know about with the Galaxy S26 lineup.
Don't pay full price! Galaxy S26 preorder deals can get you one for free
Despite the price hikes for the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus, preorder deals available right now can get you set up with one with paying very little.
Personally, they're tough recommendations, especially with the Plus because for just a little more, you can get the S26 Ultra and all the exclusive features it offers. Thankfully, there are also Galaxy S26 Ultra preorders that drives the cost down to practically free.
Watch the Galaxy S26 Ultra Privacy Display in action
When I installed a privacy screen protector on my iPhone 17 Pro, I was thrilled about how visibility was blocked from the sides, but it came with a much dimmer screen. That's why I'm stoked about the Galaxy S26 Ultra's new Privacy Display because it's something you can activate — so you can enjoy its full brightness when needed. Here's how it works.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: we break down the biggest differences
You can tell from the photo above one major difference between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Ultra, as the latest model has a slightly more refined design with its camera compartment raised from the rest of the phone. However, there are other notable differences between the two that we tell you in our detailed comparison.
Are you interested in the S26?
The S26 series is up for pre-order starting today (Feb 25). So, are you planning on upgrading to Samsung's latest?
Personally, I have an older S22 Ultra that is slowly dying, so I am considering the jump to S26.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra hands on
We were able to get some hands-on time with the Galaxy S26 Ultra and have some initial thoughts.
"Initially, I felt as though the Galaxy S26 Ultra was another iterative upgrade, and in a lot of respects, it is on paper," Tom's Guide's Tom Pritchard said. "Despite this, Samsung has pushed through a lot of great changes and upgrades that could prove to be genuinely useful — and are likely to be promptly copied by some of the competition."
Trying out the new Super Steady Mode
Samsung announced a new mode for recording video that is meant to keep the recording stable while you're moving about.
So, we put it to a brief test today. What do you think?
Hands on with the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus
Like the S26 Ultra, we were able to get some hands on time with the vanilla S26 and the larger S26 Plus.
"There's a lot you'll recognize on the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus if you're familiar with previous Galaxy S generations. But with new chipsets, fresh AI tricks, plus a larger base model, perhaps Samsung has done just enough to justify its price increase," my colleague Richard Priday wrote.
We'll need more time to see, but we will have full reviews in the coming weeks.
Reminder: Pre-order deals
As a reminder, we've aggregated all the best Galaxy S26 preorders deals. From Samsung to the big three network carriers, we've got you covered on how to save a buck or two.
Unboxing the Galaxy S26 Ultra
For those who enjoy such things, here's an unboxing video of the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
That's all for now
Folks, that's all for now. In the coming weeks look forward to full reviews of the S26 lineup and the new Galaxy Buds 4 and Pro.
Our reviews will be more in-depth once we put the devices through our litany of tests including performance, battery life and more.
So, keep Tom's Guide in your tabs.
What's changed in the cameras?
If you're wondering how the Galaxy S26 cameras have changed since last year, we have you covered. Our guide to the new cameras will break down everything that's new, and how that actually affects the photo quality.
We're talking things like increased aperture on the S26 ultra, improved AI editing tools, horizontal lock and more. The hardware specs may not have changed much, but there's still a bunch below the surface
How does the Privacy Display work?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display might just be the star of the phone. It's capable of hiding portions of the screen from anyone that might be trying to snoop, all without stopping you from seeing it all bright and clear.
You have the choice to switch it on manually, but there's also an option to let ot switch on automatically whenever specific apps or features show up on screen. Here's how Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display actually works.
There's a sneaky downgrade in the S26 Ultra
There's ben a lot of talk of what Samsung has added to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but did you know there are also some thing it removed? The titanium frame, for instance, has been swapped out for Armor Aluminum — the same metal as the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus.
Before you ask, it's not happened because Apple also ditched titanium on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. It's all down to thickness, eight, durability and (we're guessing) the cost of the metals in question. Titanium isn't cheap, after all.
Pixel-powered Scam Protection
Samsung and Google have been partnering on AI for several years now, and the Galaxy S26 proved to be another way to emphasize that partnership. That means new features, upgrades, and stuff you'd normally only see on Pixel phones coming to the Galaxy S26.
One such feature is Scam Detection, a Gemini-powered feature that monitors all calls and texts from unknown numbers to make sure nobody's trying to scam you. This is all done on your device, with no cloud processing, and it could be some extra peace of mind when speaking to someone you don't know.
Here's what Samsung announced last night
If you need a rundown of what Samsung actually unveiled about the Galaxy S26 series last night, we have you covered. We've got all the details about the three phones, including specs, Galaxy AI software, camera upgrades, and more.
There's still a lot more we need to test in the Tom's Guide labs before we can make any conclusions about how the phone performs. But right now, at this early stage, we're cautiously optimistic.
EVERY Galaxy S26 device unboxed!
Even though Galaxy S26 preorders are live right now, the release of Samsung's new phones won't happen until March 11, 2026. In the meantime, we have our hands on every new Galaxy S26 device announced at Galaxy Unpacked, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung's official case, and more.
Galaxy S26 or Galaxy S26 Plus? You can't overlook this one detail
By now, you know that the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus cost $100 more than their predecessors. However, there’s one specific detail that may justify Samsung's decision.
I’m referring to the Galaxy S26's starting storage of 256GB, which is double the base capacity of the Galaxy S25. Typically, doubling the storage is enough to merit a price increase, and it certainly makes the standard S26 a more appealing value proposition.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy S26 Plus isn't as lucky — it remains at the same 256GB starting storage as before, making its $100 price hike much harder to swallow.
There's a lot of new features with the Galaxy S26 cameras
Sure, the hardware upgrades were minimal at best with the Galaxy S26 Ultra largely benefitting from wider apertures with its main and 5x telephoto cameras.
However, there are are noteworthy new features that accompany the cameras on all three new phones. We break down all the stuff they share in common, like how ProScaler helps to enhance photos you've captured, as well as all the exclusive stuff for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Galaxy AI's new Photo Assist is the answer to Google's Ask Photos
The upgraded Photo Assist feature that Samsung demoed at its Unpacked event yesterday finally matches what Google's been offering with its Pixel 10 phones with Ask Photos.
You can see the new Photo Assist feature of the Galaxy S26 to edit photos with the help of generative AI. From making minor edits, to completely generating new elements, you can do it all by just telling the phone what you want.
Galaxy S26 Ultra low light camera performance will be put under the microscope
One thing I'm eager to test out for myself is the Galaxy S26 Ultra's low light camera performance. Samsung spent a deal of time talking big about the wider aperture of its 200MP main camera, and along with its new ProScaler enhancer, should greatly improve the performance under dim conditions.
Right now, the iPhone 17 Pro Max remains as the best camera phone around — and based on my experience — continues to be the low light king.
Never pay full price on a phone, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra
I cannot say this enough, but you should never buy a phone full price, especially one that costs thousands of dollars. That's why you should look at T-Mobile's offer for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
For a limited time, you can save up to $1,100 off the cost of the S26 Ultra, but it does require an eligible trade-in to get the most discount off the phone. At the same time, you'll be treated to a $40 off offer with the Galaxy Buds 4 when you place a pre-order for the phone.
Galaxy AI features are strong and heavy with the S26 lineup
Samsung showed up in a big way with this year's flagship announcements because there were a ton of new Galaxy AI features introduced with the new phones. Many of them, like the upgraded Photo Assist, leans on generative AI to produce creative images from scratch.
Not only does it get powerful editing tools that lets you describe what photo edits you want, but you can take existing images (or doodles you create) and transform them into something better with the help of Galaxy AI.
24 hours with the Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Galaxy S26 Ultra sounds cool, but is it actually worth buying? We haven't finished our full review yet, but Tom's Guide's Richard Priday has spent 24 hours with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Be sure to check that out for a rundown of all the highs (and lows) of Samsung latest flagship he's experienced so far.
Where are the silicon-carbon batteries?
There had been plenty of rumors that Samsung would introduce silico-carbon batteries on the Galaxy S26 series. Rivals like OnePlus and Xiaomi already have, and it's rumored Apple might make the jump soon. But the S26 is sticking with lithium-ion batteries for now.
Why? According to Samsung it is working on silicon-carbon batteries, but they're not qite ready for prime time. It sounds like the company is being cautious, though considering its experience with exploding Galaxy Note 7s, that's totally understandable
