Samsung today announced the Galaxy S26 series, positioning it as its most intuitive Galaxy AI smartphone lineup to date. The family includes the familiar threesome of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26, each designed to blend upgraded hardware with more proactive, context-aware AI experiences.
At the center of the announcement is, unsurprisingly, Samsung’s push to make AI less visible and more useful. The Galaxy S26 series focuses on reducing steps between intent and action, whether that involves searching for information, editing content, or managing everyday tasks.
Performance and Charging Built for AI Workloads
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, a customized chipset tuned for Samsung’s latest flagship. Samsung cites up to a 19% CPU boost, a 24% GPU increase, and up to a 39% improvement in NPU performance compared to the previous generation, enabling faster on-device AI processing and smoother multitasking.
Thermal management has been redesigned with a larger vapor chamber and improved heat distribution around the processor. The goal is consistent performance during gaming, video capture, and other sustained workloads.
Super-Fast Charging 3.0 is supported on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, reaching up to 75% in about 30 minutes. Samsung has not detailed full battery capacities in this release.
Samsung’s ProScaler and updated mobile Digital Natural Image engine aim to improve visual clarity and color accuracy, sharpening text and fine details while refining overall image processing.
Camera System With Advanced Video Tools
Samsung continues to lean into imaging. On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, wider apertures allow more light to reach the sensor, improving low-light photography and zoom clarity. Nightography Video and enhanced Super Steady stabilization are intended to keep footage clean and stable, even in dim or high-motion environments.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the first Galaxy device to support APV, a new professional-grade video codec designed for efficient compression while maintaining visually lossless quality across editing workflows.
AI-driven image signal processing now extends to the selfie camera, with an emphasis on natural skin tones and finer detail in mixed lighting conditions.
Editing tools are integrated directly into the Gallery experience. The upgraded Photo Assist suite allows users to describe changes in natural language, such as adjusting lighting conditions or restoring missing elements. Edits can be reviewed and adjusted step by step. Creative Studio consolidates tools for generating stickers, wallpapers, and other visuals from sketches or prompts without switching apps.
Document Scan and built-in PDF organization aim to simplify everyday tasks like digitizing receipts or forms.
Galaxy AI: Proactive and Context-Aware
Samsung highlights features such as Now Nudge, which surfaces contextual suggestions, and an updated Now Brief that delivers personalized reminders based on reservations or travel plans.
Circle to Search with Google now supports enhanced multi-object recognition, enabling deeper exploration of multiple items within a single image.
Bixby has been updated as a more conversational device agent, allowing users to navigate settings with natural language. The Galaxy S26 series supports additional AI agents, including Gemini and Perplexity, enabling multi-step actions such as booking services with minimal manual input.
Built-In Privacy Display and Security Enhancements
The Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces what Samsung describes as the mobile industry’s first built-in Privacy Display. Unlike traditional stick-on filters, the integrated solution adjusts pixel light dispersion to limit side viewing angles when activated, preserving clarity for the primary user.
Privacy settings can be customized for specific apps or sensitive actions such as entering passwords. Partial and Maximum Privacy modes allow different levels of discretion.
Security features include AI-powered Call Screening, real-time Privacy Alerts for sensitive data access, and a Private Album within Gallery. Samsung extends post-quantum cryptography protections to software verification and firmware processes. Seven years of security updates are promised for the Galaxy S26 series.
Samsung Knox, Knox Vault, and the Personal Data Engine work together to protect on-device AI processing and sensitive information.
Availability, Pricing, and Offers
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 are available for pre-order through Samsung.com, Amazon, Best Buy, Samsung Experience Stores, and carriers nationwide, with general availability beginning March 11, 2026.
Pricing starts at $1,299.99 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, $1,099.99 for the Galaxy S26+, and $899.99 for the Galaxy S26. Storage options range from 256GB to 1TB depending on the model.
Samsung is offering up to $900 in eligible trade-in credit or $150 without trade-in toward other devices for a limited time on Samsung.com.
