Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Launch: AI Powerhouse with Privacy Innovations

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 series at its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026. The Galaxy S26 Ultra stands out as the flagship model. It brings advanced AI features and the world’s first built-in Privacy Display. 

The event took place in San Francisco. Samsung announced the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra alongside Galaxy Buds 4. Pre-orders started right after the reveal. Full sales begin on March 11, 2026. 

Samsung built the S26 Ultra for everyday ease. It uses a customised Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. This gives up to 19% better CPU speed, 39% NPU boost for AI, and 24% GPU improvement over the S25 Ultra. 

The phone stays cool with a redesigned vapour chamber. It spreads heat better during gaming for multitasking. Super-Fast Charging 3.0 hits 75% in 30 minutes with a 60W adapter. 

The display is a 6.9-inch QHD+ with ProScaler for sharp images. The Privacy Display limits side views for protection. Users can toggle it for apps or notifications. 

Cameras got major upgrades. Wider apertures let in 47% more light on the 200MP main sensor and 37% on the 50MP 5x telephoto. Nightography Video improves low-light shots.

The selfie camera uses AI ISP for natural skin tones. New tools like Photo Assist let users edit with words, like changing outfits or adding objects. Creative Studio turns sketches into visuals. 

Galaxy AI makes life simpler. Now Nudge suggests photos or checks calendars in chats. Now Brief gives reminders for events. Circle to Search handles multiple objects at once. 

Bixby got smarter for natural commands. It works with Gemini and Perplexity agents. Security includes Know Vault and post-quantum cryptography. 

Pricing starts at 1279 euros for the 256GB S26 Ultra in the UK. Pre-order perks include double storage 512 GB for a 25 GB price, worth 170 euros. Trade-ins save up to 607 euros. 

The S26 Ultra measures 7.9 mm thick with an IP68 rating. It runs Android 16 with One UI 8.5. The battery is around 5,400 mAh for all-day use. 

Samsung delayed the launch to January to fine-tune features. This gives better hardware-software sync. The focus is on intuitive AI without user effort. 

Annika Bizon, Samsung VP, said it reduces mental load. Tasks run in the background. Privacy stays strong at every level.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra sets a new bar for flagships. It blends power, cameras, and AI seamlessly. Early deals make it attractive for upgrades. Fans can grab it soon and experience the changes.