Samsung Unveils Galaxy S26 Series With Enhanced AI and New Privacy Display

2026-02-26 companies

Seoul, Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series launches with deep AI integration, including Gemini and Perplexity. The flagship Ultra model notably features a hardware-based Privacy Display that physically blocks peripheral viewing angles.

Generative AI Becomes Infrastructure

Samsung Electronics officially unveiled the Galaxy S26 series at the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 25, 2026, positioning the lineup as the company’s third-generation AI phone [3]. The launch underscores a strategic pivot where artificial intelligence moves from a novelty to what TM Roh, Head of Device eXperience, describes as “infrastructure” [5]. The new devices feature deep integration with third-party agents, including Google Gemini and Perplexity, allowing for natural language commands to control device settings [3]. Beyond external partnerships, Samsung has introduced proprietary AI tools such as “Now Nudge” for contextual information and an upgraded “Photo Assist” that utilizes generative AI to remove objects or alter lighting conditions [3]. These features are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, which delivers a significant boost in processing power, with the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance improving by 39 percent compared to previous generations [2].

Hardware Innovation: The Privacy Display

While the exterior design remains largely unified with its predecessors, the Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces a notable hardware innovation: a built-in Privacy Display [2][3]. This technology utilizes a specialized OLED panel featuring two distinct types of pixels to physically limit peripheral viewing angles, effectively blocking the screen from onlookers without requiring an adhesive filter [8]. The Ultra model also features a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate [2]. Despite these additions, the S26 Ultra has shed weight by switching materials; the device now utilizes aluminum instead of titanium, making it lighter than its predecessor at 214 grams [8][2].

Market Strategy, Pricing, and Availability

Samsung has adjusted its pricing strategy for the entry-level and mid-tier models while holding the line on its premium flagship. In the United States, the Galaxy S26 and S26+ see a price increase of $100, starting at $900 and $1,100, respectively [8]. This represents a 12.5 percent increase for the base model compared to the previous price point inferred from the hike. Conversely, the Galaxy S26 Ultra maintains its pricing at $1,300 [8]. Pre-orders for all three models—available in Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue—began on February 25, 2026, with general availability scheduled for March 11, 2026 [2][6]. To incentivize early adoption, Samsung Canada is offering trade-in values up to $729 for eligible devices like the Galaxy S25+ [1].

Sources

Artificial Intelligence Samsung Electronics