Samsung today announced the launch of its new Galaxy S26 series, introducing what it describes as its most intuitive and proactive Galaxy AI experience to date. The lineup, comprising the Samsung Galaxy S26, Samsung Galaxy S26+ and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, is designed to streamline everyday smartphone tasks, from planning and searching to content creation and editing.
Samsung said the third-generation AI-powered devices are capable of handling complex processes in the background, reducing the number of steps users need to complete common actions while maintaining strong privacy and security protections.
Performance and Hardware Upgrades
The Galaxy S26 series is powered by customized chipsets optimized for AI performance, energy efficiency and thermal management. The flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, delivering improvements in CPU, GPU and NPU performance compared to its predecessor.
Samsung reports up to a 19% increase in CPU performance, a 39% improvement in NPU capability to support always-on AI features, and a 24% boost in GPU output for enhanced visuals and smoother gameplay.
To manage heat under heavy workloads such as gaming and video capture, the S26 Ultra introduces a redesigned vapor chamber system. The device also supports Super-Fast Charging 3.0, reaching up to 75% battery capacity in approximately 30 minutes.
Samsung has further enhanced display performance with ProScaler image scaling and an upgraded mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe), promising sharper detail and more lifelike color reproduction.
Privacy Display Debuts on S26 Ultra
A key highlight of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the introduction of a built-in Privacy Display, a first for Galaxy smartphones. The feature limits side-angle visibility while maintaining clarity for the primary user, offering enhanced protection in public settings such as public transport or cafés.
Unlike traditional privacy screen protectors, the integrated solution preserves display quality when inactive and allows users to customize activation settings, including enabling privacy mode when entering passwords or accessing selected apps.
Samsung said the S26 Ultra is its slimmest Ultra model yet, despite incorporating upgraded thermal systems and AI hardware.
Camera and Creative Tools
The Galaxy S26 series continues Samsung’s focus on mobile photography, featuring wider apertures on the S26 Ultra for improved low-light performance. Enhanced Nightography Video and upgraded Super Steady stabilization aim to deliver clearer footage in dim or fast-moving conditions.
The S26 Ultra also becomes the first Galaxy device to support APV, a professional-grade video standard designed for efficient compression and high-quality editing workflows.
AI enhancements extend to editing tools. The upgraded Photo Assist suite allows users to modify images using natural language prompts, including adjusting lighting conditions, restoring missing elements or altering outfits in photos. Creative Studio integrates sketch-to-image and design tools into a unified workspace.
Document Scan capabilities have also been improved, automatically correcting distortions and compiling multiple images into a single PDF for easier digitization of receipts and forms.
Smarter, More Conversational AI
Samsung has expanded its Galaxy AI functionality with features such as Now Nudge, which provides context-aware suggestions, and an enhanced Now Brief that delivers personalized reminders based on user activity.
The company’s Circle to Search with Google feature now supports multi-object recognition, allowing users to identify multiple items within a single image simultaneously.
An upgraded Bixby offers more natural language interaction, while support for third-party AI agents including Gemini and Perplexity AI enables multi-step task execution across apps. For example, users can book transportation through voice commands with minimal manual input.
Expanded Security in the AI Era
As AI-driven personalization increases, Samsung has introduced additional layers of protection. The Galaxy S26 series incorporates post-quantum cryptography (PQC) into system processes such as software verification and firmware protection.
New AI-powered Call Screening summarizes unknown callers’ intent, while Privacy Alerts notify users if apps with administrative privileges attempt to access sensitive data unnecessarily.
The devices are protected by Samsung Knox, with 7 years of security updates promised to extend device longevity.
Specifications
| Specification | Galaxy S26 Ultra | Galaxy S26+ | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz adaptive (1–120Hz) Vision Booster | 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz adaptive (1–120Hz) Vision Booster | 6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz adaptive (1–120Hz) Vision Booster |
| Dimensions & Weight | 163.6 × 78.1 × 7.9mm 214g | 158.4 × 75.8 × 7.3mm 190g | 149.6 × 71.5 × 7.2mm 167g |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Exynos 2600 | Exynos 2600 |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP Ultra-Wide (F1.9) 200MP Wide (F1.4, 2x Optical Quality Zoom) 50MP Telephoto (5x Optical, 10x Optical Quality Zoom, F2.9) 10MP Telephoto (3x Optical, F2.4) | 12MP Ultra-Wide (F2.2) 50MP Wide (F1.8, 2x Optical Quality Zoom) 10MP Telephoto (3x Optical, F2.4) | 12MP Ultra-Wide (F2.2) 50MP Wide (F1.8, 2x Optical Quality Zoom) 10MP Telephoto (3x Optical, F2.4) |
| Front Camera | 12MP (F2.2) | 12MP (F2.2) | 12MP (F2.2) |
| Memory & Storage | 16GB + 1TB 12GB + 512GB | 12GB + 512GB | 12GB + 512GB |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 4,900mAh | 4,300mAh |
| Charging | 60W Wired (Up to 75% in ~30 mins) Super Fast Wireless Charging Wireless PowerShare | 45W Wired (Up to 69% in ~30 mins) Super Fast Wireless Charging Wireless PowerShare | 25W Wired (Up to 55% in ~30 mins) Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare |
| Operating System | Android 16 (One UI 8.5) | Android 16 (One UI 8.5) | Android 16 (One UI 8.5) |
| Connectivity | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 6.0 | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 6.0 | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Water & Dust Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
Pricing and Availability in Malaysia
The Galaxy S26 series is available for pre-order in Malaysia from Feb 26 to March 10, 2026. Promotional offers during the period include rewards worth up to RM1,200, an instant RM700 rebate with selected bank cards, trade-in savings of up to RM4,000 under the Galaxy Forever program, and 0% installment plans of up to 36 months at participating banks.
Retail prices are as follows:
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (1TB) — RM7,999
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB) — RM6,799
- Galaxy S26+ (512GB) — RM6,199
- Galaxy S26 (512GB) — RM5,199
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series will be available in 4 colorways; Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue. Samsung Care+ coverage plans are also available, offering accidental damage protection, extended warranty options and repair support locally and abroad. For more details, click right here.
Pokdepinion: The Plus model is the most attractive option to me, at least on paper. I’m quite keen to see how the Exynos 2600 stacks up against the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
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