Unpacked 2026: Recap, Reveals and Should You Upgrade to Galaxy S26

Samsung’s biggest mobile consumer event of the year is in the books. Here’s everything you need to know about Samsung Unpacked 2026. 

Galaxy S26 Series Officially Revealed 

As expected, the star of the event was an in-depth reveal of the Galaxy S26 Series, Samsung’s flagship smartphone and one of the power players in the Android space. The series is set to release on March 11, with preorders available now. 

Focus on the S26 Ultra closed the show. The S26 Ultra is the top-end phone of the Galaxy line, and is best for power users, gamers and creatives who want the absolute peak of mobile technology within an Android OS. 

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has the largest screen and the best cameras in the S26 series, and comes with the integrated S-Pen.

Confirmed Specs of the S26 Ultra

Here are the confirmed specs of the S26 Ultra, expected to be released in March 2026: 

• Display: 6.9-inch QHD+ 120Hz display with "Privacy Display" technology (more on that later)
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip
• Cameras: 200MP main camera, 50MP ultrawide, and a 50MP 5X telephoto; improved low-light performance with APV codec 
• RAM and Storage: 12GB/16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage
• Battery: 5,000mAh battery with 60W charging (one of the highlights)
• Frame: Titanium frame, with similar layout to S25 Ultra, just a bit sleeker

Galaxy S26 Series Key Features

 While the phones themselves are relatively identical to the S25 Series, the big improvements on the latest iteration are faster charging, improved AI features and what Samsung calls the “world’s first” Privacy  Display. 

Privacy Display

Samsung Unpacked 2026 definitely leaned heavily into artificial intelligence, promising the next stage of an agentic AI phone. The company seems to be doubling down on AI as a core pillar of the Galaxy experience.

CEO TM Roh announced the founding principles of reach, openness and confidence when advancing Galaxy AI technology. 

Through Samsung Knox, Samsung officially revealed the highly anticipated Privacy Screen feature, which will be exclusive to the S26 Ultra at launch. 

Using a new architecture called the Black Matrix, the display adapts to your needs. When you are viewing sensitive information, Privacy Display’s narrow pixels work as the primary light source allowing only you to see the screen head on.

So if you are typing in a passcode or viewing a sensitive work email on a crowded bus or train, you will see the screen perfectly, but the person next to you will just see a blank screen.

You will be able to customize the Privacy Display experience, toggling it on for certain notifications, apps, etc. 

“This is the world’s first built-in privacy display,” said Roh. 

AI Features

Samsung confirmed that the S26 Series will launch alongside One UI 8.5, featuring a vastly upgraded Bixby assistant that can understand natural language and execute complex, multi-step device settings. 

The Bixby assistant is now “smarter” inside your phone, but will also pair with the Samsung browser to feature a more intuitive, real-time browsing experience. 

Galaxy AI can now assist you within a text message thread, understanding the context of the conversation and does the work for you. So you can make a reservation at a restaurant or share a requested photo in seconds without leaving the text conversation. 

Samsung also teased advanced image-editing tricks, like replacing missing parts of an image or natively merging multiple photos.

“Imagine a point where AI anticipates your needs before you even realize them,” Roh said. “A phone that learns your habits and attempts in real-time. A phone that takes actions on your behalf.” 

Sameer Samat, the President of the Android Ecosystem, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the longstanding partnership with Samsung and upcoming AI features within the broader Google Gemini ecosystem.  

Faster Processor and Better Efficiency

The S26 Series will feature the powerhouse Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset in the U.S. and select international markets. 

It will also feature better thermal management with the largest vapor chamber ever, meaning your phone stays cooler on summer vacations when you’re testing the limits of 4K video recording. 

Camera Improvements

Samsung Unpacked 2026 was shot and livestreamed entirely on an S26 Ultra. 

The Ultra model promises better low-light photography capabilities with a wider f/1.4 aperture. 

This allows significantly more light into the lens, which means brighter, crisper night photography and better AI-assisted portrait modes.

4K video recording may be better than previous models with APV codec technology and enhanced Galaxy AI assistance features. 

Wireless Charging & 60W Charging 

There are still no built-in magnets for native Q92 wireless charging, but the S26 Series is “Qi2 Ready,” meaning you need a first- or third-party accessory case with the magnetic ring for Qi2 charging speeds. 

For wired charging, Samsung S26 Ultra promises up to a 75% charge in around 30 minutes with a blazing-fast 60W adapter. 

Any Surprises of Samsung Unpacked 2026?

Not really. Galaxy fans got to get an early look at some of the previously teased features and specs in action, but there were no big surprises. 

While Galaxy AI and the S26 Series was the focus, Samsung did reveal details about Galaxy Buds4 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro. 

Samsung's premiere earbuds line will include a slight redesign with a flatter stem and new case, along with feature updates such as head gesture controls. It also features a wider woofer and better tweeter, producing a deeper, richer sound.  

Samsung also promises clearer calls with better background noise cancellation and a customizable equalizer. 

The fourth iteration of the Galaxy Buds series will also feature better spatial audio to better compete with giants like Apple’s Airpods.  

The Buds4 Series will start at $249 and will release on March 11 with the Galaxy S26 Series.  

Should You Upgrade to the Galaxy S26 Series?

If you're a Samsung fan tuning into Unpacked, this is likely the question you’re trying to answer.

Buying the latest high-end phone is a huge decision and a big investment. The base model for the Galaxy S26 is $899, with the Ultra models starting at $1,299.

Here’s what to consider if you’ve been holding out for the S26 release:

• Deals with Current Provider: If you have a current plan with a big carrier like Verizon or T-Mobile, chances are you’re eligible for an upgrade. Depending on your current plan or contract, you may be able to trade-in your current device and upgrade to the S26 Series for modest investment. You can use Goji Mobile’s Should I Upgrade tool to compare your current phone to the latest models. 
• Shop Other Plans & Carriers: Goji Mobile compares plans across more than 100 carriers, from mainstream carriers like Verizon to lesser-known, budget-friendly carriers like US Mobile. Virtually every carrier in the industry will be offering some deal or package around the S26 Series release. 
• Budget: If you are on a tight budget, the launch of the S26 means the Galaxy S25 and S24 will likely see massive price drops. So if you’re a few models behind, you could still experience a lot of the latest features at a much lower price. 

Comparison to Apple and Pixel: The Galaxy S26 is Samsung’s direct answer to the iPhone 17 and the Pixel 10. By pushing hardware limits with a 3,000-nit display and integrating hardware-level features like the Privacy Display, Samsung is forcing Apple and Google to keep up, particularly in the realms of on-device privacy and battery efficiency.

Final Verdict

If you are rocking a Galaxy S23 or older, the leap in battery life, display brightness, privacy and AI features of the S26 will be night and day. If you have an S25, the latest model might feel more like an incremental luxury. Privacy Display is the big “exclusive” right now, but that’s only available with the S26 Ultra for the launch of the S26 lineup.