Samsung’s Unpacked 2026 reveals Galaxy S26 lineup with AI upgrades and Buds 4 debut

Samsung has kicked off its first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026, broadcast live from San Francisco, unveiling the Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup and the redesigned Galaxy Buds 4 wireless earbuds. The company emphasized an “easy and effortless” user experience driven by proactive intelligence across hardware and software.

Galaxy S26 Ultra: Power and Privacy

The main focus of the presentation was the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung has revised its design, replacing the titanium frame with an aluminum build featuring rounded corners, resulting in a slimmer and lighter device. A key addition is the built-in Privacy Display, which limits side viewing angles so onlookers cannot see the contents of the 6.9-inch QHD+ screen.

The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset and includes a redesigned vapor chamber for improved thermal management during demanding gaming sessions. It houses a 5,000mAh battery with 60W wired charging, reaching up to 75% charge in 30 minutes. Camera upgrades include enhanced Nightography that captures 47% more light, a 200-megapixel main sensor, and a Super Steady with Horizontal Lock video feature.

Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus

The standard lineup has also been updated. The Galaxy S26 now features a 6.3-inch display and a 4,300mAh battery, while the Galaxy S26 Plus retains its 6.7-inch screen and a 4,900mAh battery. Both models use the same processor as the Ultra, ensuring consistent performance across the range. Samsung confirmed a slight price increase, citing expanded feature sets.

Agentic AI and One UI 8.5

Samsung introduced its “Agentic AI” approach, integrated into One UI 8.5 based on Android 16. These features are designed to handle complex tasks in the background. A new partnership with Perplexity AI enables access to an assistant via the “Hey Plex” hotword.

AI tools also extend to photography through Photo Assist 11, allowing users to edit images using text-based prompts, such as changing lighting conditions or removing objects. The system can also anticipate user behavior, offering contextual actions directly from the lock screen.

Galaxy Buds 4 Series

Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, both featuring a new stemmed design. The Galaxy Buds 4 offer an open-fit design, while the Buds 4 Pro include silicone tips for improved noise isolation. The Pro model adds adaptive noise canceling, Bluetooth 6.1 support, and a larger woofer for enhanced low-frequency performance.

When can I get the Galaxy S26 lineup and Galaxy Buds 4?

Pre-orders for the Galaxy S26 lineup and Galaxy Buds 4 series begin today, February 25, with a global release scheduled for March 11.

Follow MeriStation USA on X (formerly known as Twitter). Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more! Follow us now!