Samsung took the stage in San Francisco and rolled out the Galaxy S26 household—the large Galaxy S26 Extremely, the Galaxy S26+, and the usual Galaxy S26. Each Galaxy Unpacked brings hype and wild guesses. Nonetheless, rumors had set low expectations, with speak of minor tweaks as a substitute of daring upgrades. Nonetheless, my Galaxy Unpacked February 2026 highlights inform a extra attention-grabbing story when you look previous the floor.
I see Samsung lean into AI options and privateness instruments that form how individuals use their telephones every day fairly than chase a flashy redesign. Foldable telephones appeal to consideration with wild shapes and flex modes. Nonetheless, bar type telephones transfer much more models. That makes every Galaxy S launch an enormous second for Samsung. A confirmed formulation can pull in additional consumers than a dangerous overhaul. So earlier than you write this lineup off as boring, persist with me. A couple of moments from Unpacked in February 2026 caught me off guard.
Galaxy S26 lineup
Samsung performs protection with the S26 collection, but it additionally goals straight at rivals such because the iPhone 17 Professional, the Pixel 10 Professional, and an extended record of Android manufacturers that chase the identical crowd.
Value
The Galaxy S26 Extremely begins at $1,299.99 for 256 GB, which matches final yr. The S26+ prices $1,099.99 for 256 GB, and the S26 is available in at $899.99 for 256 GB. Each smaller fashions leap by $100. From what I perceive, the continuing international RAM scarcity drives that bump.
Efficiency
Benchmark leaks hit the net days earlier than launch and present huge positive factors on AnTuTu, 3DMark, and Geekbench. Now Samsung backs that up on stage.
Samsung claims as much as a 19% CPU carry, so the S26 Extremely reacts quick and juggles heavy duties with ease. A 39% NPU enhance fuels Galaxy AI options that run always, so you possibly can hop between apps with out stutter. The GPU sees a 24% leap, which brings richer graphics and smoother gameplay.
Below the hood, the S26 Extremely packs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. In the meantime, the S26+ and S26 run on Samsung’s Exynos 2600 chip.
AI
All three telephones push new AI methods. Gemini can now take motion inside experience hailing and meals apps, although you continue to information it and make sure every order.
Photograph Help permits you to tweak your photographs with easy textual content prompts. In a demo, Samsung swapped key elements of a picture with a brief command. I would like arms on time to see how far this instrument can go.
Galaxy S26 Extremely
The 6.9 inch Extremely will get the boldest updates. Samsung trades final yr’s sharp titanium search for a spherical aluminum body.
A brand new Privateness Show blocks facet glances. The display controls how pixels unfold mild, so that you see vivid, clear content material whereas individuals subsequent to you see much less. You skip these outdated stick on filters and maintain full high quality when the function stays off. Flip it on, and facet angles lose element in each portrait and panorama view.
The Extremely additionally positive factors wider digital camera apertures. Extra mild hits the sensor, which suggests sharper photographs with richer element in low mild, even with zoom.
Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26
The bottom S26 picks up a bigger 6.3 inch display and a 4,300 mAh battery. Against this, the S26+ stays near final yr in most areas.
I get why Samsung didn’t provide you with design adjustments for the S26+. The form feels protected and trendy, very similar to the regular look of the iPhone yr after yr. A model finds a design that works and runs with it. Nonetheless, I query the selection to maintain the identical 4,900 mAh battery on the S26+.
Galaxy Buds4 collection
Rumors had trace at new earbuds for the Galaxy Unpacked, however nothing was set in stone. Then, voila, Samsung reveals two pairs: the Galaxy Buds4 ($179.99) and the Galaxy Buds4 Professional ($249.99).
Samsung says it ran over 10,000 simulations and pulled from greater than 1 million ear knowledge factors to form these buds. The purpose: a greater match and extra consolation than earlier fashions. The Buds4 Professional sport a canal match design that blends robust sound with good options, whereas the usual Buds4 take an open match form for a lightweight, simple hear.
TechRadar’s Hamish Hector received early listening time. With ANC activated, the Buds4 Professional instantly stand out. He notes that whereas the Buds4 ship strong sound, they fall quick in contrast with the Professional mannequin in each punch and noise-blocking. A spot that leaves room for progress within the base pair.
Parting ideas
I didn’t count on Samsung to catch me off guard at Unpacked, however right here we’re. The Extremely’s Privateness Show isn’t only a function—it adjustments how you employ your telephone round others. The AI instruments, particularly Photograph Help, really feel like they may genuinely save time as a substitute of being gimmicks. Even the S26+ and base S26, which barely modified, present that small refinements could make an actual distinction.
Grigor Baklajyan is a copywriter masking know-how at Gadget Circulate. His contributions embrace product opinions, shopping for guides, how-to articles, and extra.
