Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Is Official — AI Takes Over, Prices Go Up, and the Ultra Gets a Built-In Privacy Screen

Samsung just pulled the curtain back at Galaxy Unpacked 2026 in San Francisco — and the message is clear:

This isn’t just another phone launch.

It’s Samsung doubling down on AI, raising prices on its base models, and introducing one surprisingly bold hardware feature that might actually matter.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, S26 Ultra, and the new Galaxy Buds 4 lineup — without the fluff.

The Big Headline: AI Is Now the Center of Everything

Samsung is calling the Galaxy S26 series its “most intuitive AI phone yet.” And for once, that’s not just marketing noise.

All three phones run on Qualcomm’s Galaxy-optimized Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, which powers a new wave of AI features that go beyond simple photo edits.

The real shift? Agentic AI.

With Google Gemini built in, your phone can now:

• Book an Uber for you
• Start a food delivery order
• Analyze a group chat and figure out what to order
• Screen unknown calls
• Edit photos by typing what you want changed

It doesn’t fully replace you — you still hit the final “confirm” button — but it’s the closest Samsung has come to a phone that actually does things for you.

Samsung also expanded its multi-agent ecosystem:

• Bixby for device-level controls
• Gemini for automation
• Perplexity (activated by saying “Hey, Plex”) for contextual search across Samsung apps

This isn’t one AI assistant. It’s a stack.

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The S26 Ultra’s Privacy Display Is the Most Interesting Feature

Let’s talk about the real standout: the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s built-in Privacy Display.

Unlike traditional privacy screen protectors that make your phone look dim and muddy, Samsung built the tech directly into the display.

From straight on? Bright and clear.

From the side? Your screen blacks out sensitive information.

And it’s customizable. You can choose to hide:

• Notifications
• Password screens
• PIN entries
• Specific apps

You can even activate it with a double press of the side button.

In crowded trains, planes, or offices, this is actually useful — not gimmicky.

For once, the Ultra gets something that feels meaningfully different.

Design: Sleeker, Lighter, But Not Radical

The Galaxy S26 lineup keeps the familiar Samsung flagship look — but with refinements.

The Ultra is:

• 0.3mm thinner than last year
• 214 grams
• Slightly easier to grip

Colors include:

• Cobalt Violet
• Black
• Sky Blue
• White

Nothing revolutionary here. It’s evolution, not reinvention.

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Cameras: Still Chasing Perfection

The Galaxy S26 Ultra keeps its 200MP wide camera and adds:

• 50MP telephoto
• 5x optical zoom
• 10x optical-quality zoom
• Wider aperture for better low-light

Nightography continues to improve, and AI now extends deeper into image processing — including the front camera.

AI photo editing is where Samsung is pushing hardest:

• Remove objects naturally
• Restore missing parts of photos
• Turn day into night
• Modify clothing
• Generate stickers from text prompts

Type “draw me a dog,” and you get a custom sticker.

Fun? Yes.
Potential AI “slop” risk? Also yes.

Samsung is walking a fine line between creative power and over-automation.

The Price Hike No One Wanted

Here’s where things get interesting.

The base Galaxy S26 now starts at:

• $899.99 (up $100)
• 256GB storage standard (up from 128GB)

S26 Plus:

• $1,099.99
• Also up $100

S26 Ultra:

• $1,299.99
• No price increase

So the Ultra avoided a hike — but the base models didn’t.

You’re paying more for storage and AI capabilities.

Whether that’s worth it depends on how much you care about AI features that may eventually trickle down to older devices.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Specifications

Battery and Charging Updates

Galaxy S26:

• 4,300mAh battery (bigger than last year)

S26 Plus:

• Slightly faster wireless charging

All models are “Qi2 Ready” — meaning you’ll need a magnetic case to use Qi2 accessories properly.

Which feels… inconvenient.

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Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro: Samsung Still Chasing AirPods

Samsung also unveiled:

Galaxy Buds 4

• Semi-open design (no rubber tips)
• Up to 6 hours battery + 30 from case
• $179.99

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

• Silicone ear tips
• Dual driver system
• 7 hours battery + 30 from case
• $249.99

Design-wise, they continue leaning toward Apple’s AirPods aesthetic — smoother, flatter stems.

Incremental upgrades. Nothing shocking.

What Wasn’t Announced

No Galaxy S26 Edge (for now).

No new Galaxy Watch.

No Galaxy Ring 2 update — and legal battles around smart ring patents still make that product’s future uncertain.

Expect foldables and watches later this summer.

Preorders and Launch Date

Preorders are live now.

Official launch: March 11.

Samsung is offering preorder gift cards (up to $200 depending on model).

So… Is This a Major Upgrade?

Here’s the honest breakdown.

If you own an S25:

• Hardware upgrades are minor
• AI is the biggest difference

If you own an S23 or older:

• Big performance jump
• Storage bump
• More advanced AI
• Better privacy tools

The real story isn’t hardware anymore.

It’s AI integration becoming unavoidable.

Samsung isn’t just selling phones.
It’s selling automation.

FAQs

When does the Galaxy S26 launch?

The Galaxy S26 series officially launches on March 11, 2026.

How much does the Galaxy S26 cost?

The S26 starts at $899.99, S26 Plus at $1,099.99, and S26 Ultra at $1,299.99.

What is the Privacy Display on the S26 Ultra?

It’s a built-in feature that blocks side-angle viewing to protect sensitive information.

Can Gemini book rides or order food?

Yes, Gemini can automate multi-step tasks like preparing Uber or DoorDash orders, though you confirm the final submission.

Conclusion

Samsung didn’t reinvent the smartphone.

But it did push AI deeper into everyday use than ever before.

The Galaxy S26 series feels less like a hardware revolution — and more like the beginning of fully automated mobile life.

And whether that excites you or worries you…

AI phones are no longer optional.

They’re here.