Everything Samsung Announced at Galaxy Unpacked 2026

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event in San Francisco marked one of the company’s biggest annual launches, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, hardware upgrades, and new mobile innovations. The spotlight shone brightest on the Galaxy S26 series, but the event included notable additions in accessories and software that together signal Samsung’s vision for the next era of mobile technology. Here’s a complete breakdown of what was unveiled.

A New Generation: The Galaxy S26 Series

At the heart of Unpacked 2026 was the launch of the Galaxy S26 lineup - Samsung Galaxy S26, Samsung Galaxy S26+, and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra - ushering in Samsung’s third generation of Galaxy AI phones. The company positioned these devices not simply as smartphones, but as smarter, more proactive assistants powered by next‑level AI experiences and performance.

Design and Hardware Updates

Samsung refined the design across the S26 series, introducing a cohesive new aesthetic with rounded edges and multiple colour options. All three models - S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra - offer a premium build with unified design language that feels more modern and ergonomic compared to previous generations.

The S26 series leverages advanced processors for performance and efficiency. While some regions will see Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 chipset in the base S26 and S26+, others will benefit from the flagship‑grade Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The result: faster multitasking, better gaming, and smoother everyday use.

AI at the Core

The defining theme of Galaxy Unpacked 2026 was AI - not only as features, but as foundational system intelligence.

Samsung introduced several AI‑powered innovations that are deeply integrated across software and device usage:

Galaxy AI Enhancements

• Now Brief & Now Nudge: These AI tools actively assist users based on context. Now Brief provides personalized daily overviews from weather to upcoming calendar items while Now Nudge anticipates useful actions, like surfacing relevant photos during a chat without switching apps.
• AI Call Screening: A new intelligent feature can automatically screen incoming calls and then deliver clear summaries so users know who called and why saving time and reducing nuisances.
• Photo Assist and Creative Tools: Samsung AI enhances mobile photography beyond what traditional editing tools can do. It enables natural‑language adjustments such as combining elements from different images — alongside artistic transformations like turning photos into illustrations or wallpapers.
• AI Browser Integration: Samsung’s browser now incorporates Ask AI, powered by Perplexity, allowing users to search contextually across open tabs and recent history using conversational prompts.
• Multi‑Object Circle to Search: The popular image‑recognition feature has been upgraded to identify and search multiple objects in a single frame, speeding up queries for shopping or information.

Perhaps most exciting is the concept of agentic AI, where virtual assistants like Google’s Gemini 3 and Samsung’s upgraded Bixby can complete tasks on a user’s behalf, such as placing orders or managing workflows across apps.

Standout Feature: Built‑In Privacy Display

The Galaxy S26 Ultra debuted what Samsung calls a Privacy Display, a world‑first feature that enhances privacy by restricting screen visibility at angles. This hardware‑level innovation helps prevent “shoulder surfing”, where someone nearby can see sensitive content, without relying on external screen protectors.

Camera and Performance Upgrades

While Samsung maintained continuity in pixel counts for the Ultra (with 200 MP wide and 50 MP telephoto sensors), the series introduced upgrades such as:

• Wider apertures for improved low‑light performance.
• Galaxy AI‑assisted Nightography, which enhances detail and reduces noise in dark video scenes.
• Performance upgrades via improved thermal management and optimized AI processing.

Samsung also committed to industry‑leading software support, promising up to seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security maintenance for the S26 series.

Beyond Phones: Galaxy Buds 4 Series

Samsung didn’t stop with phones. The company unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 and Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro wireless earbuds. These headsets offer improved audio quality, adaptive noise cancellation, and enhanced comfort. Both models integrate with Galaxy AI and support voice‑activated assistants directly via a hands‑free trigger.

The Buds4 Pro, in particular, features a dual‑driver acoustic system for richer sound and adaptive ANC for immersive listening.

Availability and Pricing

Samsung confirmed that pre‑orders for the Galaxy S26 lineup and Buds 4 begin immediately after the Unpacked event, with global availability set for March 11, 2026. Pricing for storage configurations starts at premium tiers that reflect the advanced hardware and AI features announced.

Shaping the Future of Mobile Technology

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2026 was more than a roster of new devices. It underscored a bold shift toward AI‑centric mobile experiences, ambitious software integration, and thoughtful privacy innovations. From smarter AI features that act on your behalf to a privacy‑focused display and upgraded accessories, this year’s announcements signal Samsung’s commitment to innovation across hardware and intelligence, setting the tone for mobile technology in 2026 and beyond.