The first major tech event of 2026 is officially in the books. Samsung took the stage in San Francisco on February 25 to unveil its latest flagship vision, and it’s clear the company is betting big on “Agentic AI”—technology that doesn’t just answer questions but actually completes tasks for you.
From a screen that hides your texts from nosey neighbors to earbuds that let you answer calls with a nod, here are the nine biggest takeaways from the launch of the Galaxy S26 series and the Buds4 Pro.
1. The S26 Ultra’s “Privacy Display” is a Game Changer
The star of the show was undoubtedly the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new Privacy Display (also called the Flex Magic Pixel). This isn’t just a software filter; it’s a hardware-level innovation that allows the screen to block off-angle viewing at the pixel level. When activated, anyone looking at your phone from the side sees nothing but a black screen, while you maintain a perfectly clear view from the front. You can even set it to “Partial Privacy” mode, which only obscures sensitive notification pop-ups while leaving the rest of the app visible.
2. Bixby Gets a Perplexity Brain Transplant
Samsung is moving away from the “one assistant” model. While Bixby is still around, it has been overhauled with a deep integration of Perplexity AI. By using the “Hey Plex” command, users can access Perplexity’s powerful research capabilities directly within the OS. It has system-level access to your Notes, Calendar, and Gallery, allowing it to summarize your own data or pull research from the web without you ever leaving your current app.
3. Gemini is Now Your Personal Travel Agent
Google’s Sameer Samat joined Samsung on stage to debut an “agentic” version of Gemini exclusive to the S26 series. This new version of the AI can actually take action on your behalf. For example, you can ask Gemini to “order a pepperoni pizza” or “call a 5-seater Uber,” and the AI will open a virtual window, navigate the respective apps, and handle the transaction in the background while you keep scrolling through your feed.
4. The S26 Ultra: Thinner, Lighter, and Less Boxy
While the S26 Ultra keeps its massive 6.9-inch display, Samsung has refined the chassis to be thinner and lighter than the S25 Ultra. Interestingly, Samsung has moved away from titanium and “doubled down” on Armor Aluminum, claiming the new alloy is more rigid and durable. The design is also slightly more rounded, making the massive phone more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
5. Under the Hood: The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
All three phones are powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 “for Galaxy.” This custom chip brings a 19% boost in CPU performance and a massive 39% jump in NPU (Neural Processing Unit) power. That extra NPU horsepower is what allows the new AI “agents” to run locally on the device, ensuring your data stays private and the response times remain nearly instant.
6. Base Model Upgrades (and Price Hikes)
Samsung has finally ditched the 128GB entry-level tier. Both the standard S26 and the S26 Plus now start with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. However, this bump comes with a cost:
- Galaxy S26: Starts at $899 (up from $799).
- Galaxy S26 Plus: Starts at $1,099 (up from $999).
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Starts at $1,299.
7. Galaxy Buds4 Pro Get a “Blade” Makeover
The new Buds4 Pro ($249) feature a redesigned “blade” stem that is more ergonomic and omits the controversial “blade lights” from the previous generation. They now support ultra-high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz audio and feature a new 11mm woofer that provides 20% more surface area for deeper bass. They’ve also been upgraded to an IP57 rating, making them fully submersible in water.
8. Hands-Free “Head Gestures”
One of the most practical additions to the Buds4 series is Head Gestures. Using the built-in accelerometers, you can now answer a phone call by simply nodding your head or decline it by shaking your head side-to-side. This is designed for moments when your hands are full—like carrying groceries or working out—and it integrates directly with Bixby and Gemini for hands-free AI commands.
9. The Disappearing “Edge”
Noticeably absent from the presentation was any mention of a “Galaxy S26 Edge.” While Samsung experimented with an ultra-thin Edge model last year, it seems they have folded those design lessons back into the main flagship line. The focus for 2026 is clearly on a unified, cohesive look across the S26, Plus, and Ultra models, rather than branching out into niche sub-brands.
