TL; DR
- Samsung introduces Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra with Android 16, One UI 8.5, and seven years of updates.
- Galaxy AI expands with Now Nudge, upgraded Bixby agent, AI editing tools, and deeper integrations with Gemini and Perplexity.
- S26 and S26+ remain very close to the S25 generation while the Ultra brings the biggest hardware upgrades including Privacy Display and improved cameras.
Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy S26 series at Galaxy Unpacked in San Francisco on February 25, 2026. The lineup includes the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. All three devices run Android 16 with One UI 8.5 and Samsung promises seven generations of Android upgrades alongside seven years of security updates.
A major highlight is the Galaxy S26 Ultra which becomes Samsung’s slimmest Ultra device at 7.9 mm and introduces the world’s first built in Privacy Display on a smartphone. The system combines hardware and software to block side viewing angles without affecting the main viewing experience.
Galaxy AI also expands across the lineup. Now Nudge suggests actions based on context across apps. Bixby evolves into a conversational device assistant that can adjust settings through natural language. AI tools now work with services like Gemini and Perplexity while features like Now Brief and Circle to Search receive upgrades. Security features such as Private Album and Knox Matrix protection remain central.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the price, available, and specifications of each of the S26 series smartphones.
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders for the Galaxy S26 series are now live. Global availability begins around March 11, 2026.
Galaxy S26 starts at $899 in the United States for the 256 GB model. In India, pricing starts at ₹87,999 for the 12+256 GB variant and ₹1,07,999 for the 12+512 GB variant.
Galaxy S26+ starts at $1,099 in the US. The Indian pricing starts at ₹1,19,999 for the 12+256 GB variant and ₹1,39,999 for the 12+512 GB variant.
Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299 in the US. For the Indian buyers, the price starts at ₹1,39,999 for the 12+256 GB variant, ₹1,59,999 for the 12+512 GB variant, and ₹1,89,999 for the 16GB+1 TB variant.
All models share the same color options including Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue. They will also be available in Pink Gold and Silver Shadow exclusively on Samsung.com.
ALSO READ: Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S26 Series: Smarter, More Context Aware, and Far More Useful
Galaxy S26 Specifications
The Galaxy S26 features a slightly larger (compared to S25) 6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, peak brightness up to 2,600 Nits, slimmer bezels through the CoE panel design, and protection from Corning Gorilla Armor 2.
Performance varies by region. The phone runs the Exynos 2600 deca core 2nm processor in India, Europe, and select markets while other regions receive the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The device includes 12 GB RAM paired with either 256 GB or 512 GB UFS 4.0 storage.
The triple rear camera system includes a 50 MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture, 24 mm focal length, 1/1.56 inch sensor size, 1.0 µm pixels, Dual Pixel PDAF, and OIS. It also includes a 10 MP telephoto camera with 3X optical zoom, f/2.4 aperture, PDAF, and OIS, along with a 12 MP ultrawide camera featuring an f/2.2 aperture but no AF. It’s essentially the same setup as last year, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that.
Video recording supports 8K at 30 fps along with the APV codec which provides perceptually lossless intra frame compression, LOG profiles, HDR10+, and support for 10 bit to 16 bit color recording.
On the front, the Galaxy S26 includes a 12 MP camera with autofocus and 26mm focal length while supporting 4K video recording at 60 fps.
Battery capacity is 4,300 mAh and supports 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. There is no MagSafe support.
The phone measures approximately 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm and weighs 167 grams. It includes an aluminum frame, stereo speakers, IP68 dust and water resistance, and an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. Color options include Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue.
Galaxy S26+ Specifications
The Galaxy S26+ features a larger 6.7 inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, peak brightness up to 2,600 Nits, Gorilla Armor 2 protection, and slimmer bezels through the CoE panel design.
The phone runs the Exynos 2600 2nm SoC in India, Europe, and certain regions while other markets receive the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. Memory starts at 12 GB RAM and increases to 16 GB depending on the storage configuration. Storage options include 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB using UFS 4.0.
The camera system remains identical to the Galaxy S26. It includes a 50 MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture, 24 mm focal length, 1/1.56 inch sensor size, 1.0 µm pixels, Dual Pixel PDAF, and OIS. The setup also includes a 10 MP 3X telephoto camera with f/2.4 aperture, PDAF, and OIS, and a 12 MP ultrawide camera with f/2.2 aperture and no AF.
Video recording supports 8K at 30 fps with the APV codec and includes features such as auto framing for subject tracking and horizontal lock stabilization using real time gyroscope and accelerometer data to keep footage level.
The front camera remains a 12 MP autofocus sensor with a 26mm focal length and support for 4K video recording at 60 fps.
Battery capacity remains at 4,900 mAh and supports 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. There is no MagSafe charging support here either.
Dimensions measure approximately 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm and the phone weighs about 190 grams. Other features include an aluminum frame, IP68 protection, stereo speakers, and in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. The phone comes in Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Specifications
The Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display built on Samsung’s M14 panel with a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, peak brightness up to 2,600 Nits, 10-bit color depth, advanced anti-reflective coating, and the built in Privacy Display system.
ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Privacy Display Hands-On: Is This the Beginning of a New Era?
The phone is powered globally by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy which delivers improvements in GPU performance, CPU efficiency, and NPU capabilities, when compared to the 8 Elite. Memory options include 12 GB and 16 GB RAM while storage options include 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB using UFS 4.0.
The quad camera system includes a 200 MP main camera with an f/1.4 aperture allowing about 47% more light intake, a 1/1.3-inch sensor size, 0.6 µm pixels, Multidirectional PDAF, Laser AF, and OIS. It also includes a 50 MP ultrawide camera with an f/1.9 aperture, a 120° field of view, a 1/2.5-inch sensor, and Dual Pixel PDAF.
The telephoto system includes a downgraded 10 MP camera with 3X optical zoom, 1/3.94-inch sensor, f/2.4 aperture, PDAF, and OIS, along with a 50 MP periscope telephoto camera that provides 5X optical zoom with an f/2.9 aperture, a 1/2.52 inch sensor size, PDAF, OIS, and a redesigned W shape lens structure (which could impact the focusing distance).
Photo resolution options include 12 MP, 24 MP, 50 MP, and 200 MP capture modes. The rest of the S26 series also supports 24 MP default photos from the main camera.
Video recording supports 8K at 30 fps HDR along with Samsung’s APV codec which provides visually lossless recording, intra frame compression for easier editing, LOG profiles, HDR10+, rich metadata support, and around 20% better storage efficiency than ProRes. Profiles include APV 422 HQ which uses roughly 1 to 1.5 GB per minute at higher resolutions and APV 422 LQ which uses about 0.75 GB per minute.
The front camera uses the same 12 MP sensor with autofocus and 26mm focal length. It also supports 4K at 60fps and LOG video recording.
The device includes a 5,000 mAh battery with about 21% improved efficiency and supports 60W wired charging, 25W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging. Samsung states the phone can reach roughly 75% charge in around 30 minutes.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra measures approximately 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm and weighs 214 grams. It features an aluminum frame, S Pen support, IP68 resistance, stereo speakers, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and creator focused features such as 24-bit Bluetooth audio recording with dual microphones. Colors include Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue.
Galaxy S26 Series Full Specs Comparison
| Feature | Galaxy S26 | Galaxy S26+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
| Software | Android 16 + One UI 8.5 | Android 16 + One UI 8.5 | Android 16 + One UI 8.5 |
| Updates | 7 years OS + security | 7 years OS + security | 7 years OS + security |
| Display | 6.3 inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz adaptive, 2,600 Nits peak, Gorilla Armor 2 | 6.7 inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz adaptive, 2,600 Nits peak, Gorilla Armor 2, ProScaler | 6.9 inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X M14 panel, 120 Hz adaptive, 2,600 Nits peak, 10-bit color, anti reflective coating, Gorilla Armor 2, Privacy Display, ProScaler |
| Chipset | Exynos 2600 / Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Exynos 2600 / Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB / 16 GB | 12 GB / 16 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB |
| Main Camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56-inch, 1.0 µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56-inch, 1.0 µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 200 MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3-inch, 0.6 µm, Multidirectional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, 1/2.55-inch, f/2.2, 120° FOV, FF | 12 MP, 1/2.55-inch, f/2.2, 120° FOV, FF | 50 MP, f/1.9, 120° FOV, 1/2.5-inch, AF |
| Telephoto | 10 MP, 3X, 1/3.94-inch, f/2.4, PDAF, OIS | 10 MP, 3X, 1/3.94-inch, f/2.4, PDAF, OIS | 10 MP, 3X, 1/3.94-inch, f/2.4, PDAF, OIS |
| Periscope | — | — | 50 MP, 5X optical zoom, f/2.9, 1/2.52-inch sensor, PDAF, OIS |
| Front Camera | 12 MP, 1/3.2-inch, f/2.2, AF | 12 MP, 1/3.2-inch, f/2.2, AF | 12 MP, 1/3.2-inch, f/2.2, AF |
| Battery | 4,300 mAh | 4,900 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 25W | 45W | 60W |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 15W | 25W |
| Reverse Wireless | 4.5W | 4.5W | 10W |
| Dimensions | 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm | 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm | 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 167 grams | 190 grams | 214 grams |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Special Features | Galaxy AI | Galaxy AI | Galaxy AI, S Pen, Privacy Display |
| Starting Price | $899, ₹87,999 (12 + 256 GB) ₹1,07,999 (12 + 512 GB) | $1099, ₹1,19,999, 12 + 256 GB ₹1,39,999 (12 + 512 GB) | $1,299, ₹1,39,999, 12 + 256 GB ₹1,59,999 (12 + 512 GB) ₹1,89,999 (16 GB + 1 TB) |
Notably, the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ remain extremely close to the Galaxy S25 series in terms of hardware and camera systems. Much of the core camera hardware traces back to the Galaxy S22 generation. The Galaxy S26 Ultra stands apart with the Privacy Display, brighter display panel, wider camera apertures, and some creator focused upgrades. What are your thoughts on the Galaxy S26 series? Let us know in the comments.
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