Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 Live Updates: The Event Has Concluded, Here's Everything That Was Announced

Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26
Galaxy S26 Plus
Galaxy AI Updates
Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

Image Credits: Samsung

Galaxy Unpacked 2026 is now over, and this year Samsung focused on refining its core lineup instead of teasing future devices. There were no surprise previews at the end. The company kept things direct, highlighting hardware upgrades and deeper Galaxy AI integration.

Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Ultra leads the series with a new Privacy Display that reduces side viewing angles so people nearby cannot easily see your screen. It is customizable and designed for public use. The device also gets stronger Galaxy AI features aimed at improving camera performance, system intelligence, and overall usability.

Galaxy S26

The standard model now features a larger and brighter 6.3 inch display. It remains the entry level flagship but still receives meaningful improvements over the previous generation.

Galaxy S26 Plus

The Plus model offers a 6.7 inch AMOLED display and a 4,900 mAh battery. It is built for users who want a bigger screen and strong battery life without moving to the Ultra.

Galaxy AI Updates

Samsung emphasized smarter camera processing and productivity tools like Now Nudge to make everyday tasks smoother.

Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

The new earbuds promise improved clarity and more refined sound.

Overall, the event centered on steady upgrades, privacy focused features, and smarter software across the ecosystem.

Image Credits: Samsung

Galaxy Unpacked has come to an end. There was no “one more thing” moment at the end. Samsung wrapped up the show by highlighting its sustainability efforts, giving fans a look at how the company plans to make its devices and operations more eco-friendly. Main highlights were the Galaxy S26 Series lineup and the Galaxy Buds4 Series

Image Credits: Samsung

With the new Galaxy Buds 4 series, talking to your AI agent is completely hands-free. Pairing is instant, just open the case and press a button for the first-time setup. Controls and settings are always easy to access through the Quick Panel, and SmartThings Find helps you locate them in a flash.

The earbuds use an advanced neural network to learn and reduce background noise, generating opposing sound waves to cancel distractions. Real-time sound leakage monitoring and a customizable equalizer ensure the best possible listening experience, making calls and music more immersive than ever.

Image Credits: Samsung

Image Credits: Samsung

The Galaxy S26 now comes with advanced generative AI features that make creative tasks easier than ever. Users can quickly touch up photos or even generate entirely new images simply by typing instructions, letting complex edits happen almost instantly.

Image Credits: Samsung

The Galaxy S26 series introduces Super Steady with Horizontal Lock, making it easier to capture fast-moving scenes without shaky footage. For creators, the S26 Ultra steps it up with professional-grade video recording using the APV codec for the first time. Users can shoot in up to 8K, keep more detail through edits, and even record directly to external storage while filming.

Image Credits: Samsung

The Galaxy S26 series brings advanced imaging with its ProVisual engine. The front camera uses an AI image signal processor to capture finer details, natural skin tones, and even subtle strands of hair, making selfies look lifelike. Low-light video gets a boost with Nitography. Samsung says the processor reduces grain, keeps faces sharp, and produces cleaner backgrounds. True to earlier rumors, the S26 Ultra features a 200MP main camera with an f/1.4 aperture for better low-light shots, while the 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom now sports an f/2.9 aperture for improved clarity and detail.

Image Credits: Samsung

The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Privacy Display is getting a lot of attention. It doesn’t just dim the screen to block prying eyes. You can also set it to work with specific apps, making it one of the most useful and impressive new features.

Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s built-in Privacy Display, which can be customized to activate for specific apps or notifications. “Privacy display sets a new standard in display innovation,” the company says. The phone also features AI-enhanced ProScaler, designed to make photos and videos look richer and clearer. To keep performance smooth under heavy use, Samsung added a redesigned Vapor Chamber for better heat dissipation.

Image Credits: Samsung

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, bringing faster on-device AI thanks to a 39% stronger NPU. Apps launch quicker with a 19% faster CPU, while the 24% improved GPU makes heavy visuals run smoothly. Ray tracing is up 17%, so reflections, shadows, and lighting look sharper and more lifelike, says Samsung.

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series introduces Galaxy AI with privacy and security at its core. Samsung Knox Vault isolates sensitive data like passwords, biometrics, and security keys, while KIT keeps app information separate and protected. AI capabilities now include “circle to search” for multiple objects, contextual suggestions through Now Brief and Now Nudge, and improved Bixby integration. The new Samsung browser partners with Perplexity to offer Ask AI for faster, more seamless research. According to Samsung, these features aim to make AI personal, adaptive, and integrated into everyday tasks, helping users do more with less friction.

Image Credits: Samsung 

The Privacy Display has been the most talked-about rumor surrounding the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and it is now official. This new feature keeps your screen hidden from side views and marks a first for Samsung, leaving many curious to see how it works in real life.

Image Credits: Samsung

On the livestream, Samsung started off with a short movie, showcasing a story that tries to build a common connection amongst the consumers, fans and enthusiasts alike. The show has kicked off, with TM Roh taking the stage, with AI taking centre stage right at the beginning of the show.

Highlighting three pillars of company philosophy, TM Roh said.

-Galaxy AI through the Galaxy ecosystem

-True openness to offer the same quality

-and finally confidence, people have all the right to know about how their information is processed. Putting forth Samsung Knox so that you can enjoy an AI experience.

And finally, the first built-in privacy display is here now. Not just that these latest devices will be Agentic AI equipped.

Samsung’s 2026 flagship plans may not be as dramatic as some earlier rumours hinted. There was talk that the company might replace the Galaxy S26 Plus with a slimmer S26 Edge. However, newer reports suggest the Plus variant is expected to stick around, possibly after the lukewarm response to last year’s Galaxy S25 Edge.

As for what it could offer, the Galaxy S26 Plus is rumoured to feature a 6.7-inch display and an upgraded 50MP ultra-wide camera. In select markets like the US and China, it may run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 paired with 12GB of RAM. The phone is also said to keep a slim profile, measuring around 7.35mm in thickness.

While the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus are expected to debut at Unpacked 2026, the real spotlight will likely be on the Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G. Samsung’s top-end model is set to go head-to-head with upcoming premium rivals such as the iPhone 17 Pro and the Pixel 10 Pro.

The Ultra is rumoured to feature a refreshed design that aligns more closely with the rest of the S26 lineup. In terms of performance, it is expected to run on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. The standard S26 models, on the other hand, may use Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2600 chip, depending on the market.

Every year, Samsung’s new Galaxy S series sees some speculation about pricing, and the Galaxy S26 lineup is no different. Leaks suggest the S26 and S26 Plus could be more expensive compared to last year’s models. In Europe, prices are expected to rise by around €100, which would translate to roughly ₹90,000 for the base S26 and ₹1,15,000 for the S26 Plus.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra may stay closer to last year’s price, around €1,449, though some sources hint at a slight increase to €1,469. If these trends carry over to India, buyers may see slightly higher launch prices than the Galaxy S25 series, continuing the pattern we have seen with recent Samsung flagships.

The upcoming Galaxy S26 series devices will most likely come with One UI 8.5 based on Android 16 out of the box. Like last year, Samsung is expected to provide seven years of OS updates and security patches. The latest version of Samsung’s Android skin brings more customisation options in quick settings, enhanced security features including a “Theft Mode”, smoother animations, and an improved camera app.

One of the whispers ahead of the Galaxy S26 Ultra launch is a clever new trick: a Privacy Display. The idea is simple, the screen automatically adjusts its viewing angle so people sitting next to you cannot peek at what is on it.

Samsung first showed off this tech in 2024. It works by scattering light through tiny gates when voltage hits parts of the panel. Sounds fancy, right? But don’t get too excited yet, Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed it. If it makes the cut, though, it could be a game-changer for anyone tired of shoulder surfers.

Samsung is bringing Perplexity’s AI agent to the upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphones. The ‘Hey Plex’ assistant, powered by Perplexity’s Sonar API, can be activated using a wake word or the side button and will interact with pre-installed apps like Notes, Calendar, Gallery, Clock, and Reminders.

According to Perplexity, this marks the first time a third-party AI has reached feature parity with platform holders on a major mobile OS. “We built Perplexity into the Galaxy S26 from the ground up with Samsung’s team, and our Sonar API powers the AI experience across the device, including Bixby. This is what an open AI ecosystem actually looks like,” said Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity’s chief business officer.

The move is seen as Samsung’s answer to Apple’s partnerships with top AI model providers, including OpenAI and, more recently, Google.

Samsung, in its official invite for Galaxy Unpacked 2026 released on February 10, described this year’s launch as “a new phase in the era of AI as intelligence becomes truly personal and adaptive.” The South Korean tech giant added that the new Galaxy S series is “built to simplify everyday interactions, inspire confidence and make Galaxy AI feel seamlessly integrated from the moment it’s in hand.” This signals Samsung’s focus on making AI more intuitive and a central part of the user experience.

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event is taking place in San Francisco, California. If you’re not attending in person, you can still catch all the announcements live. The keynote will be streamed on Samsung’s official YouTube channel, along with its website and Samsung Newsroom. The livestream begins at 11:30 pm IST on Wednesday, February 25, so viewers in India can tune in late at night to watch the unveiling as it happens.

Galaxy Buds 4: What to Expect

Alongside the familiar Galaxy S26 lineup, Samsung is also expected to introduce two new earbuds under the Galaxy Buds 4 series. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, in particular, are rumoured to offer head-tracking support, letting users nod or shake their heads to respond to yes-or-no prompts, take or reject calls, and even manage notifications while they’re being read out.

The Pro model’s stems could also support a pinch-and-hold gesture to trigger actions like capturing a photo or recording a video. A Find My Phone feature may also be part of the package. That said, nothing is official yet — we’ll have to wait for the Galaxy Unpacked keynote to get confirmation.

Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra 5G at Unpacked, while the S26 Edge may not launch this year.

Design: The lineup could retain a familiar look but may introduce an elliptical camera module instead of individually aligned sensors.

Performance: The S26 Ultra is tipped to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, while the other models may use Samsung’s Exynos 2600, depending on region.

Battery: Samsung is likely to stick with Lithium-ion batteries, with little to no major capacity jump expected.

Cameras & Display: A 200MP Ultra camera and 120Hz displays are anticipated.