The launch event, titled “Galaxy Unpacked 2026”, took place at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California, on 25 February 2026.

Samsung announced three new models: the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. For the first time, Samsung introduced a Privacy Display feature on its Ultra model.

The company used a Flex Magic Pixel OLED panel to integrate privacy functionality at the hardware level, a first for any smartphone. Non-Ultra users will have to settle for Samsung’s regular flagship display, which is still superior to most premium smartphones on the market.

As usual, the Ultra model comes with the latest flagship chipset. This year, the S26 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, a TSMC-manufactured 3nm chip. This processor is specially customised for the Galaxy series and highly optimised for demanding tasks. It offers improved stability and efficient thermal management.

According to Samsung, this customised chip delivers a 19% increase in CPU performance, a 24% improvement in GPU performance, and a 39% boost in NPU performance compared to the previous generation.

The other two models are not fully equipped with the TSMC chip. Instead, Samsung continues to use its in-house developed Exynos processor for the base and Plus models in specific regions.

This year is no exception. The S26 and S26+ will feature the Exynos 2600, built on a 2nm architecture. It is being promoted as the world’s first 2nm mobile chip. On paper, it should outperform the TSMC 3nm processor. However, based on previous experience, Exynos chips have developed a reputation for performance instability, thermal throttling, and occasional network issues.

The good news for customers in North America, China, and Japan is that they will have the option to purchase the non-Ultra S series with a Snapdragon processor. The rest of the world will rely on the new Exynos chip.

All three models will feature Dynamic LTPO 120Hz AMOLED displays. The S26 and S26+ are protected by an aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back.

The S26 Ultra’s front panel is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Armour 2 with an anti-reflective coating. The Ultra model boasts a massive 6.9-inch display, followed by the 6.7-inch S26+ and the 6.3-inch S26. All three models are IP68 dust-tight and water-resistant.

Samsung promises seven years of software and security updates, in line with other flagship smartphones. Out of the box, the devices will run One UI 8.5, based on the latest Android 16. The new S series offers 12GB or 16GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of high-speed UFS 4.0.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series offers two distinct camera configurations: a versatile triple-camera system for the S26 and S26+, and a professional-grade quad-camera system for the S26 Ultra.

All three models are powered by the ProVisual Engine and feature an upgraded 12MP (f/2.2) front-facing camera for high-quality selfies and 4K video recording. The Ultra model is a major upgrade for photography enthusiasts, featuring higher-resolution sensors and improved low-light performance. It includes a massive 200MP (f/1.4) main sensor, a 50MP (f/1.9) ultra-wide lens, a 50MP 5x periscope zoom lens, and a 10MP 3x optical zoom lens.

For the 2026 launch of the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung has introduced a $100 price increase for the standard and Plus models compared to the S25 series, while the Ultra model’s starting price remains unchanged.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will have an official launch in Bangladesh, with the worldwide retail release set for 11 March 2026.

The new Galaxy series will feature built-in Galaxy AI, which has already proven effective. However, there are very few visual changes, as the design language has remained largely unchanged from the Galaxy S22 Ultra through to the S25 Ultra and continues almost identically with the S26 Ultra.

While the specifications and services are top-notch, the lack of significant visual changes may eventually feel monotonous. The new display innovation shows considerable promise; whether it will become a true deal-maker for users remains to be seen.