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Samsung held the long-awaited Galaxy Unpacked presentation, where it officially unveiled the Galaxy S26 series of smartphones, which includes the base model S26, the S26+ version, and the flagship S26 Ultra. The tech giant didn’t wait for MWC 2026 to show the world its new flagships.
The presentation also featured a new generation of Galaxy Buds4 headphones and a number of updates to AI-related features.
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Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+
The new Galaxy S26 and S26+ received not only technical changes but also new prices. Both models have gone up by $100 compared to their predecessors, which is partly due to a shortage of RAM. The basic variants with 256 GB of flash storage are priced at $900 (45999 UAH) for the S26 and $1100 (53999 UAH) for the S26+.
The design of the smartphones has undergone minor adjustments: the corners have become more rounded to bring them visually closer to the S26 Ultra style. The base version has a 6.3-inch display, while the S26+ has a 6.7-inch screen, but with a higher resolution than the S26. In addition, the battery capacity of the Galaxy S26 has been increased to 4300 mAh.
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The camera modules remain the same as in the previous generation, but the company has added several software improvements. Among them are ProScaler to improve image scaling and a new MDNIe chip, which, according to the manufacturer, improves color accuracy. There is also a video stabilization function that holds the horizon when shooting moving objects. The new Object Aware Engine promises more realistic reproduction of skin tone and hair texture in selfies. Some AI functions, such as Now Brief and Auto Eraser, have become compatible with more apps.
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In smartphones for North America, China, and Japan, Samsung again used Qualcomm processors instead of its own Exynos 2600 chips. In these regions, the S26 and S26+ will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Pre-orders are already open and sales will start on March 11. The smartphones will be available in magenta, blue, black, white, silver, and rose gold colors, but the latter two variants are only available online.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will come in the same colors and will also be available on March 11. Its starting price is $1300 (64999 UAH). The flagship has a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3120×1440 and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. But the main feature is the Privacy Display function, which is positioned as the first of its kind for smartphones. It restricts the view of the screen at sharp angles, reducing the risk of outsiders seeing the content. When activated, the brightness decreases slightly, and the settings allow you to automatically turn on the mode when you enter a password, receive notifications, or open certain applications.
S26 Ultra is powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It is available with 12 or 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB of flash storage. The battery capacity is 5000 mAh, and the smartphone supports Super Fast Charging 3.0. However, the lineup still lacks built-in magnets for Qi2 charging.
The Ultra’s front-facing camera is identical to the one in the S26 and S26+. However, the module on the back contains a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, a 200-megapixel main camera and two telephoto cameras – 10-megapixel and 50-megapixel. The main 200-megapixel sensor and the 5x telephoto camera have wider apertures for better light capture. All the software and AI features available in the S26 and S26+ are also present in the Ultra.
Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro
The Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro have been redesigned, with the corner elements and leg lights gone. Samsung claims a more comfortable fit due to the redesigned body shape and smaller headband. This should provide comfort when worn for a long time. The Buds4 retain their open format, while the Buds4 Pro have an in-ear design.
The tech giant promises improved sound quality and a transparency mode. Buds4 Pro received a siren detection function that automatically turns on the transparent mode to hear alarms. For the first time, they are equipped with a wider woofer combined with an improved active noise reduction function and an improved adaptive equalizer that provides a full range of sound and adapts to real-world conditions.
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When used with Galaxy devices, voice control is available via Bixby, Google Gemini, and Perplexity. Buds4 Pro also supports call control and Bixby interaction with head movements.
Pre-orders for the headphones are open today, with sales starting on March 11. Galaxy Buds4 costs $180 (6999 UAH), and Buds4 Pro costs $250 (10699 UAH). Both models are available in white and black colors with a matte finish, and the Buds4 Pro also has a pink version that can be purchased only online.
AI features update
Separately, Samsung confirmed that Galaxy AI for S26 will support Perplexity as an AI agent. Besides, Bixby has been updated for more natural communication. During the event, Google also announced new AI-enabled Android features that will be available on S26 and Pixel 10. Among them is the Gemini beta feature for automating multi-step tasks, such as booking a ride or checking out a grocery.
With Gemini 3, the Circle to Search feature allows you to search for multiple objects at once. It’s convenient to use, for example, while shopping. If you see a beautiful outfit on Instagram, you can circle the whole person, and the tool will try to find a match for every item they wear, including shoes and accessories. At the same time, Google has simplified the process of seeing how these clothes might look on you by adding a virtual try-on feature to Circle to Search.
Read also:
- A new level of AI: Samsung integrates Perplexity into key Galaxy S26 services
- Camera, biometrics, and ChatGPT: What we know about the first OpenAI device