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Recently, our correspondent attended the presentation of Samsung’s latest devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, as well as the Galaxy Buds4 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro TWS earphones. The scope and positioning of the announcement were substantial enough to warrant a separate, dedicated report.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra/S26+/S26 Video report
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 / Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro earbuds
The presentation began with the new headsets. The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro feature a revised design with a stem finished in polished metal. The charging case has been reshaped into a more rectangular form, while retaining a transparent lid. In terms of acoustic design, the Buds4 follow the same approach as the Samsung Galaxy Buds3, using an open-type construction without silicone ear tips. The Buds4 Pro, by contrast, continue to use an in-ear (canal-type) design, consistent with the previous Pro variant.
The feature set includes a range of software functions, among them real-time translation. The gesture control interface has been extended to recognize head movements in addition to touch input.
The earphones are designed for streamlined integration within the Samsung device ecosystem. Opening the charging case triggers device detection and pairing. Furthermore, current Samsung smartphones provide basic system-level controls for these earphones, enabling essential operation without the need to install additional companion applications.
In terms of technical specifications, the earphones are equipped with batteries rated at 45 mAh and 61 mAh, respectively, while the charging cases provide capacities of 515 mAh and 530 mAh. Both models carry an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. Each earbud integrates three microphones.
The higher-tier version also features what the manufacturer describes as “bezel-less” dual drivers. It supports 24-bit audio playback and specifies a frequency response range of 20 Hz to 40,000 Hz.
And another cool thing is that both headsets support Bluetooth 6.1, which we will also need to talk about. However, the price of the new products is $180 for the younger model and $250 for the older one. Samsung Galaxy Buds4 and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro should be available on 11 March.
Shared Features of the Smartphones
Turning to the smartphones, the following specifications are common across the lineup. All models are equipped with Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays featuring an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120 Hz and peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits. The displays are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while overall device durability is rated at IP68 for dust and water resistance.
The base configuration across the lineup includes 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. Connectivity features include support for Wi-Fi 7 and 5G networks, as well as dual SIM capability. The front-facing camera has a resolution of 12 MP. Audio processing supports Dolby Atmos. The devices are compatible with Samsung DeX in its wireless implementation and ship with One UI 8.5.
Key Differences
Regarding the main distinctions within the lineup: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra retains the built-in stylus, which is not included with the other models. Screen sizes range from 6.3 inches on the base model, to 6.7 inches, and up to 6.9 inches on the Ultra variant. Display resolution also varies, reaching up to Quad HD+. The S26 Ultra offers higher-end specifications, with RAM available up to 16 GB and internal storage reaching 1 TB.
In terms of wireless connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy S26 does not support Bluetooth 6, offering only Bluetooth 5.4. This limitation may be notable for users who prioritize advanced connectivity in a compact flagship device. The camera setups also differ significantly between the models.
The standard and mid-tier versions feature a 50 MP main sensor, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3× optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultra-wide module. Among these, only the Ultra-wide lacks optical image stabilization.
The S26 Ultra, in contrast, includes a 200 MP primary sensor with an f/1.4 aperture and a dedicated 50 MP telephoto module capable of 10× optical zoom, offering higher versatility and light-gathering capability.
Charging speeds vary across the lineup. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra supports wired charging up to 60 W, while the smaller models support speeds ranging from 25 W to 45 W. Wireless charging is available at 15 W for the base model, 20 W for the mid-tier, and 25 W for the Ultra. Battery capacities range from 4,300 mAh in the smaller models up to 5,000 mAh in the Ultra variant.
The higher wireless charging speeds are compatible with the Qi 2.0 specification. However, the smartphone bodies themselves do not include built-in magnets, which limits full Qi2 functionality. Samsung offers proprietary accessories, including cases with embedded magnets, to enable more complete wireless charging and magnetic alignment.
Artificial Intelligence
A key area of focus in the new devices is artificial intelligence. In addition to existing features such as selection-based search, image generation, and a chat assistant, the AI system can now handle incoming calls autonomously. The display also supports a privacy mode to limit on-screen visibility during sensitive interactions.
This feature combines both hardware and software elements. In brief, only the device user can see a clear image on the display, while those nearby are unable to view it. This privacy mode is exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, representing a notable enhancement in personal display security.
Video Recording
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces support for the APV (Advanced Professional Video) codec. APV is an open-access format that is already compatible with DaVinci Resolve. It supports 8K recording at 10–16 bits, 4K at 120 fps, and 4:4:4 subsampling. In practical terms, APV functions similarly to ProRes on Android devices, with approximately 20% higher compression efficiency.
Adding to that, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra officially supports integration with Blackmagic Camera and allows recording directly to external SSDs. Combined with its f/1.4 aperture on the main sensor, these capabilities position the S26 Ultra as a potential first Android device suitable for serious cinematic workflows. Based on prior experience recording 8K video on the Note20 Ultra, these features represent a significant step forward for mobile videography.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. Its performance is at the high end for current flagship devices: in AnTuTu benchmarks, with adequate cooling, it can approach scores of around 4 million points. GPU performance alone surpasses the combined results of the last ten smartphones reviewed, highlighting its capacity for graphics-intensive applications and demanding workloads.
And the most notable processor in the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup appears to be the Exynos 2600. This is the world’s first 2-nanometer chip, surpassing even the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which is built on a 3-nanometer process. The Exynos 2600 also delivers strong performance, achieving close to 3 million points in AnTuTu benchmarks, making it a significant component for Samsung in terms of both efficiency and raw computational capability.
Its significance lies in the GPU, the Xclipse 960. While this is not the first mobile GPU based on an AMD architecture – such designs have existed since 2022 – it is also among the first to integrate an AI-powered upscaler directly on the chip.
However, this is the first mobile GPU that combines RDNA 4 architecture with an integrated AI upscaler. Its performance in AnTuTu is expected to be only slightly below that of the Snapdragon-based flagship GPU, while the overall platform remains relatively affordable.
Summary and Pricing
Pre-orders are now open. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is priced between $1,490 and $1,720, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ at $1,280, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 at $1,070. Versions with different storage capacities are temporarily priced the same due to a promotional discount. Color options are consistent across all three models, with black, white, light blue, and cobalt purple available.
That concludes the overview. Comments are open for readers to share which of the three models they find most interesting. While the base S26 has limitations such as Bluetooth 5.4, it remains a compelling compact option.
