Samsung has officially entered the “Agentic AI” era with the launch of the Galaxy S26 Series at the Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026. This year, the focus shifts from raw megapixel counts to “invisible” utility—making the phone a proactive assistant rather than just a powerful slab of glass.
Below is a detailed review of what you need to know about the Samsung S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra.
1. The Lineup: At a Glance
The series maintains its familiar three-tier structure but introduces significant internal bifurcations in processing power and display technology.
| Feature | Galaxy S26 | Galaxy S26+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
| Display | 6.3″ FHD+ AMOLED | 6.7″ QHD+ LTPO | 6.9″ QHD+ Privacy Display |
| Processor | Exynos 2600 / Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (Custom) |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB |
| Main Camera | 50MP Triple | 50MP Triple | 200MP Quad |
| Battery / Charging | 4,300mAh / 25W | 4,900mAh / 45W | 5,000mAh / 60W |
2. Key Innovation: The Privacy Display
Exclusive to the S26 Ultra, the “Privacy Display” is perhaps the most practical hardware addition in years.
- What it does: It uses pixel-level light dispersion to limit side-viewing angles (similar to a privacy screen protector).
- The Benefit: Unlike physical films that dim your screen permanently, this is a software-toggleable feature. You can keep your screen clear for sharing photos but “black it out” for onlookers when checking bank details or private texts in public.
3. “Agentic” Galaxy AI & Gemini 3
Samsung is moving past basic “Circle to Search” into Agentic AI, powered by Google’s Gemini 3 models.
- Now Nudge: The phone tracks your context. If you’re texting about a flight, a nudge appears to “Add to Calendar” or “Check Status” without you leaving the app.
- Task Automation: You can now give multi-step commands like, “Gemini, find my last electricity bill in Gmail and pay it using my default card.” The AI executes this in a secure virtual window.
- Conversational Bixby: Bixby has been overhauled into a natural language agent. You can say “My eyes feel tired,” and it will automatically adjust the blue light filter and brightness.
4. Performance: The 3nm Powerhouse
The S26 series utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (with a special “for Galaxy” overclocked version for the Ultra).
- NPU Gains: A massive 39% jump in Neural Processing Unit performance, which is why the new on-device AI tasks feel instantaneous.
- Thermal Management: To combat the heat of heavy AI processing, Samsung introduced a redesigned Vapor Chamber that spreads heat along the sides of the device, improving sustained performance for gaming and 8K video.
5. Camera & Video: Incremental but Smart
While the hardware specs (200MP for Ultra, 50MP for others) look similar to the S25, the “AI ISP” (Image Signal Processor) has been completely rebuilt.
- Nightography Video: Low-light footage is significantly cleaner thanks to AI-driven noise reduction that now works in real-time on the front-facing camera as well.
- ProScaler: This feature (available on S26+ and Ultra) uses AI to upscale and sharpen text and fine details, making zoomed-in photos look like native optical shots.
- Creative Studio: You can now “describe” changes to photos. Asking the phone to “change this sunny day to a rainy evening” or “remove the coffee stain on my shirt” results in surprisingly high-fidelity generative edits.
6. Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy S26 series is available for pre-order now, with a global release date of March 11, 2026.
- Galaxy S26: Starts at approximately ₹87,999 / $899 (Now starting with 256GB base storage).
- Galaxy S26+: Starts at approximately ₹1,19,999 / $1,099.
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Starts at ₹1,39,999 / $1,299.
Note: Samsung has committed to 7 years of OS and security updates, meaning these devices will be supported until 2033.
The Pros: Why You Should Upgrade
- Privacy Display (Ultra Only): This is a genuine “quality of life” breakthrough. Being able to toggle a hardware-level privacy filter for banking or private messages without using a permanent, dimming screen protector is a massive win for commuters and travelers.
- Faster Charging: Samsung has finally moved the needle. The Ultra now supports 60W wired charging (up from 45W), hitting 75% in about 30 minutes.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: The performance jump is significant for “heavy” users. With a 39% improvement in NPU (AI processing) and 24% in GPU, it handles on-device AI and high-end gaming (like emulation) with much less thermal throttling thanks to a larger vapor chamber.
- Improved Ergonomics: The S26 Ultra has moved away from the “sharp” boxy corners of previous generations, adopting a slightly more rounded frame and a slimmer 7.9mm profile that feels much better in the hand.
- Enhanced Nightography: While the sensors are largely the same, the wider apertures ($f/1.4$ on the main lens) and AI-driven noise reduction make for noticeably cleaner low-light video and photos.
The Cons: Why You Might Skip
- The Price Hike: In regions like India, the S26 series has seen a jump (up to ₹13,000 for the base model and ₹10,000 for the Ultra). If you aren’t trading in an old device, the “entry price” for flagship tech is getting steep.
- Lack of Qi2 (Magnetic) Charging: Despite the trend toward magnetic accessories (like Apple’s MagSafe or Google’s Pixel 10), Samsung has opted not to include built-in magnets in the S26 series to keep the chassis thinner.
- Stagnant Battery Capacity: All three models retain the same battery sizes as the S25 series (4,300mAh, 4,900mAh, and 5,000mAh). While the chip is more efficient, the “all-day AI” usage may offset those gains.
The Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
✅ YES, Upgrade if…
- You are using a Galaxy S23 or older. You will see a massive leap in AI capability, display brightness, and charging speed.
- You value privacy. If you often use your phone in public or for sensitive work, the Ultra’s Privacy Display is worth the entry price alone.
- You are a power user. If you do mobile video editing or heavy multitasking, the thermal improvements and Gen 5 chip are vital.
❌ NO, Skip if…
- You have a Galaxy S25. The hardware upgrades (aside from the Privacy Display and 60W charging) are incremental. Most of the “Agentic AI” features are expected to eventually trickle down to the S25 via software updates.
- You want Magnetic Accessories. You’ll still need a specialized case to use magnetic chargers or wallets, which is a missed opportunity for a 2026 flagship.
- You are on a budget. With the price hike, last year’s S25 Ultra is currently a much better “value for money” pick, as it will still receive 6 more years of updates.
The Samsung S26 series represents a refined evolution of Samsung’s flagship lineup, with a clear push toward AI-driven experiences, enhanced privacy, and smart features. It’s a worthwhile upgrade for users who want cutting-edge AI tools and top-tier mobile photography.
