Samsung has officially unveiled its latest flagship smartphone range, the Galaxy S26 series, alongside the new Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro. The launch, announced on 25 February 2026, introduces three handsets: the Galaxy S26, S26+, and the top-tier S26 Ultra. This generation focuses heavily on “agentic” AI, aiming to reduce the manual steps required for daily digital tasks by handling complex processes in the background.
The Galaxy S26 Series
The flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra is the standout model, featuring the custom Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy. Samsung has reported significant hardware gains for this device, including a 19% increase in CPU performance, a 24% boost in GPU capabilities for gaming, and a 39% improvement in the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) to power its AI features. To manage the heat generated by this power, the Ultra includes a redesigned vapour chamber with thermal interface material along the sides of the processor.
One of the most notable hardware additions is the world’s first built-in Privacy Display for mobile phones. Rather than using a physical screen protector, this technology controls how pixels disperse light. When activated, it limits side-angle visibility for bystanders while maintaining a clear view for the user. This feature can be automated to turn on during specific tasks, such as entering a PIN or opening sensitive apps.
The S26 Ultra continues to lead the range in photography, offering wider apertures to improve low-light performance and an upgraded “Nightography” video mode. It is also the first Galaxy device to support APV, a professional-grade video codec designed for high-quality production and editing.
The AI-driven “Photo Assist” suite has been expanded. Users can now edit images using natural language descriptions, such as asking the phone to change the time of day in a photo from afternoon to night. The AI can also “restore” missing parts of objects or even change a subject’s outfit to remove spills or stains. A new “Creative Studio” provides a single space for generating visuals from sketches or prompts, while “Document Scan” has been improved to automatically remove fingers or creases from scanned papers.
Across the entire S26 line-up, the software aims to be more proactive. A feature called “Now Nudge” monitors context to offer relevant help; for example, if a contact asks for travel photos, the phone will automatically suggest specific images from the gallery. Similarly, “Now Brief” provides reminders for reservations and travel updates based on the user’s schedule.
Search functionality has also seen an update. “Circle to Search” now features multi-object recognition, allowing users to identify multiple items in a single image simultaneously. Additionally, the Bixby interface has been updated to act as a more conversational agent, and users can now choose between integrated AI assistants, including Google Gemini and Perplexity.
Samsung has reinforced its security framework, Knox, with post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to protect critical system processes against future threats. New software safeguards include AI-powered Call Screening to summarise the intent of unknown callers and Privacy Alerts that notify users if an app attempts to access sensitive data like location or contacts without a clear reason.
The devices are scheduled to receive seven years of security updates. The series features a unified design language available in Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue, with Pink Gold and Silver Shadow available exclusively through Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Pricing & Availability
The devices are available for pre-order now and will be officially released on 11 March 2026.
| Model | Starting RRP | Base Storage |
| Galaxy S26 | €1019 | 256GB |
| Galaxy S26+ | €1289 | 256GB |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | €1499 | 256GB |
Galaxy Buds4 & Bud4 Pro
Samsung also expanded its audio lineup with the Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro, which were unveiled alongside the Galaxy S26 series. These new earbuds move towards a “blade” design, a result of computational modelling based on hundreds of millions of ear data points to improve stability and comfort. The new look is complemented by a transparent clamshell charging case and matte finishes in Black and White, with an additional Pink Gold option exclusive to Samsung.com for the Pro model.
The Galaxy Buds4 Pro is designed as a canal-fit earbud, focusing on high-fidelity audio. A key hardware update is the inclusion of a wider woofer that increases the effective speaker area by nearly 20% compared to previous models. This is paired with a tweeter to deliver 24-bit/96kHz audio, aiming to reproduce the full spectrum of a recording from deep bass to high-frequency treble.
The Pro model also features a two-way speaker positioned to maximise the effectiveness of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This helps to minimise external feedback, such as wind noise, while commuting or outdoors.
Intelligent Adaptive Controls
Both the Buds4 and Buds4 Pro utilise enhanced software to manage sound environments:
Adaptive ANC and EQ: The earbuds analyse the user’s ear shape and wearing conditions in real time to adjust noise cancellation and frequency levels.
Super Clear Call: Using machine learning and super wideband technology, the Buds4 series is designed to isolate the user’s voice from background noise during phone calls, effectively doubling the bandwidth of standard Bluetooth calls.
Head Gestures: Exclusive to the Buds4 Pro, this feature allows users to accept or reject calls and interact with AI agents using simple head movements, providing a hands-free experience when manual control is not possible.
The Buds4 series serves as a bridge to the AI capabilities of the Galaxy S26. Users can trigger AI assistants such as Bixby, Google Gemini, and Perplexity using only their voice. Integration within the Galaxy ecosystem has also been simplified; opening the charging case near a Galaxy device initiates a quick setup without the immediate need for the Galaxy Wearable app. Once connected, users can manage volume and equaliser settings directly through the phone’s Quick Panel.
Galaxy Buds4 & Buds4 Pro Pricing & Availability
The earbuds are available for pre-order from 25th February 2026, with general sales starting on 11 March 2026.
| Model | Starting RRP | Design Style |
| Galaxy Buds4 | €189 | Open Fit |
| Galaxy Buds4 Pro | €259 | Canal Fit |
Samsung has introduced a “Buy and Try” promotion for this launch, allowing customers in the UK and Ireland to return the earbuds within 100 days of purchase if they are not satisfied. Additionally, those pre-ordering any Galaxy S26 device through Samsung.com or Samsung Experience Stores are eligible for a 10% discount on the Buds4 series.
