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Samsung’s first Unpacked occasion of the yr is within the rearview mirror, with the corporate launching new Galaxy S26 telephones, the Galaxy Buds 4 sequence, and extra earlier this week.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S26 Plus vs. S26: I compared the key differences
ZDNET has been reporting from the bottom in San Francisco — and remotely, across the clock — to get you the most recent data on Samsung Unpacked 2026. Listed here are the most recent updates, now that the mud has settled.
How you can (re)watch Samsung Unpacked 2026
For these tuning in just about, Samsung livestreamed the occasion on Samsung Newsroom, Samsung.com, or Samsung’s YouTube channel, with on-demand replays out there now. ZDNET’s sibling website, CNET, also broadcasted the event, that includes dwell reactions and commentary from editors and analysts.
Each product introduced at Samsung Unpacked 2026
The Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup was the headlining act, that includes bigger shows with thinner bezels and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, with the Extremely mannequin, particularly, introducing 60W charging and a specialised Privateness Show. Accompanying the telephones are the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Professional, with help for ultra-wideband and gesture controls, alongside OneUI 8.5, which is able to supply refined notification and Bixby interactions.
This is a rundown of ZDNET’s Unpacked protection, now that we have gone hands-on with all of the merchandise.
Comparisons
Preorder offers
Extra commentary
Newest updates
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 26 at 7:00 a.m. ET
Now that the mud has settled, are you preordering the Samsung Galaxy S26? In that case, which mannequin? Regardless of in the event you go large or small, there’s seemingly a top quality preorder deal out there by means of your native service or retailer. This yr, Samsung has partnered with Amazon and Finest Purchase to supply preorder offers, too, which bundle free present playing cards and additional reductions.
Additionally: How to preorder the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (and other models) – plus the best deals
When you’re going tried-and-true and shopping for immediately from a service, make certain to learn the advantageous print to grasp the {qualifications} for that “free” or “$1,000 off” cellphone. As long as you commerce in a qualifying machine, conform to the installment plan, and are part of an eligible information service, try to be advantageous.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Whereas I could not journey to San Francisco for Unpacked this yr, Samsung graciously delivered my evaluate unit forward of my flight out for Cell World Congress tomorrow, so right here it’s — field contemporary.
No surprises: as you’ll be able to see, it is minimal packaging with solely a charging cable, consumer manuals, and a SIM ejector software included.
My first impression of the S26 Extremely? It is nonetheless a chonky cellphone, however the rounded edges actually assist with hand consolation. I will see how that holds up after a full day of utilization.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 2:10 p.m. ET
And that is all, of us. Whereas we have been ready till the credit for a possible shock announcement, it appears Samsung is reserving that for an additional day — presumably as quickly as Cell World Congress subsequent week. Till then, we have some new telephones and earbuds to take a look at, so keep tuned for extra protection.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 2:03 p.m. ET
There’s a number of speak about how many resources AI uses. Throughout its keynote, Samsung took a while to stipulate its environmental dedication objectives, like returning extra water to the atmosphere than it consumes, constructing wells throughout communities, supporting restoration tasks, and dealing to revive coral reefs.
“Innovation can assist preserve the planet,” Cassie Smith, representing Samsung’s company sustainability arm, mentioned in the course of the keynote.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:58 p.m. ET
I am loving the design of the Galaxy Buds 4 Collection — each the clear case, which makes it straightforward to shortly test that each earbuds are accounted for, but additionally the touches of metallic alongside the stem.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:56 p.m. ET
So, what differentiates the 2 new earbuds? The $249 Buds 4 Professional has a number of extra refined parts than the Buds 4. These embrace a greater microphone, bigger battery capability, tighter seal (because of the eartips on the Buds 4 Professional), an IP score of IP57 (greater than the Buds 4’s IP54 score), and refined adaptive ANC 2.0 (in comparison with the Buds 4’s adaptive ANC 1.0).
The Buds 4 Professional embrace a woofer and a tweeter for extra immersive sound, whereas the Buds 4 solely embrace a speaker. Lastly, the Professional earbuds get yet one more colorway, a Pink Gold, out there as a web based unique.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:55 p.m. ET
Because the AI wearables period continues, Samsung is packing its earbuds with hands-free AI integrations that make AI agent initiation less complicated and faster than earlier than. Customers can name on Bixby, Google Gemini, or Perplexity by means of the Galaxy Buds 4 with out having to open up their telephones — or actually have a Galaxy cellphone close by.
For these not as eager on an AI-enabled earbud expertise, Samsung says the AI just isn’t mechanically enabled on the Galaxy Buds 4.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:49 p.m. ET
The most recent lineup of Samsung’s earbuds emphasizes hi-fi sound and a cushty match. Whereas designing the Buds 4 sequence, Samsung ran over 10,000 simulations analyzing ear shapes to realize its blade design. This ends in a smaller earbud that Samsung says is healthier, safer, and extra comfy.
The Galaxy Buds 4 have enhanced ANC and EQ, head monitoring, clear calling expertise for noise discount, and might learn head gestures: a brand new function that accepts or declines notifications based mostly on whether or not the consumer shakes their head sure or nods no.
The earbuds will likely be extensively out there beginning March 11, at $179 for the Buds 4 and $249 for the Buds 4 Professional.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:48 p.m. ET
Samsung’s newest cellphone modifying options may deliver Nano Banana and different AI image-editing software program customers again to the Samsung Gallery app. Customers can edit their pictures proper within the app utilizing AI, restore lacking parts, or take away blemishes from pictures. S26 customers may even generate their very own customized wallpaper by means of the in-app AI.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 1:47 p.m. ET
It is official: The Samsung Galaxy S26 sequence will retail for greater than final yr’s fashions, with the S26 beginning at $899, the S26 Plus beginning at $1,099, and the S26 Extremely beginning at $1,299. For what it is price, Samsung can also be growing the bottom storage of the smaller S26 and S26 Plus fashions to 256GB (from 128GB), making the brand new worth slightly extra justifiable.
As for colours, each mannequin will likely be out there in Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue, and Samsung will supply web-exclusive colours like Pink Gold and Silver Shadow.
You’ll be able to preorder the newly introduced units right this moment at Samsung.com and at main retailers like Amazon and Finest Purchase, with common availability starting on March 11.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:45 p.m. ET
Shaky-hands-havers, rejoice. Tremendous regular footage is coming to the S26 with Samsung’s Horizontal Lock. This will likely be a godsend for my mom, who cannot movie a steady video to avoid wasting her life.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 1:42 p.m. ET
The vibe shift at Unpacked this yr is simple. The pacing is far faster, and the entrance row is not stuffed with Hollywood A-listers: it is as an alternative filled with localized content material creators, journalists, and followers.
Samsung is clearly buying and selling polished superstar cameos for uncooked, genuine vitality, and truthfully, I like that.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 1:38 p.m. ET
It seems Samsung is enjoying it secure with the Galaxy S26 lineup’s cameras — once more, with no main adjustments to the sensors and {hardware}. The one notable shift is the aperture on the S26 Extremely, which may now pull in additional mild for better element. The remainder of the enhancements lie in software program processing and AI-enhanced object consciousness.
Samsung says you’ll be able to anticipate 37% brighter pictures with the telephoto lens and 47% brighter pictures with the ultrawide. We’ll should see how this all compares to final yr’s cameras and if the distinction is definitely noticeable.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:35 p.m. ET
I am getting Samsung envy watching the corporate unveil its Galaxy S26 Extremely’s privateness show.
As somebody who is continually viewing my cellphone on crowded public transit, I hope the subsequent iPhone will get a built-in privateness show just like the Extremely’s. Samsung says that the protected show will deter “shoulder surfers.” The show, which prevents viewing from sure angles, might be enabled or disabled with the contact of a button.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 1:33 p.m. ET
Overlook the 200-megapixel cameras and built-in stylus: Privateness Show could be the most effective function I’ve seen on a Galaxy Extremely cellphone in a very long time. The group appears to agree with that.
Privateness Show successfully blocks out components of the cellphone display when considered at an angle, stopping snoopers and nosey passersby from seeing important data on the S26 Extremely. Suppose privacy screen protector, however constructed into the cellphone and far more customizable.
Samsung achieves this by means of pixel-level mild management, adjusting its OLED emission in order that mild solely shines towards the consumer when dealing with immediately on the display. This lets you cover delicate notifications, resembling textual content messages and 2FA codes, display unlock patterns, and extra.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m. ET
Samsung improved thermal administration in Galaxy S26 Extremely. A redesigned vapor chamber positions thermal interface materials alongside the processor’s sides to unfold warmth extra effectively. This implies the machine retains its cool for gaming, video modifying, or multitasking.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:28 p.m. ET
Samsung is making the priorities of its Galaxy S26 lineup clear. In its press launch saying the S26 Collection, Samsung highlights “unimaginable efficiency, an industry-leading digital camera system,” and, to nobody’s shock, “Galaxy AI.”
Snapdragon’s 8 Elite Gen 5 processor powers the cellphone sequence, growing CPU efficiency by 19%, GPU by 24%, and NPU by 39%. AI-powered photo-editing instruments like Picture Help make cleansing up a photograph as straightforward as talking an edit into existence and letting Galaxy AI do the soiled work. AI options like Now Nudge give you related options to make responding to texts or requests simpler and sooner.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 1:25 p.m. ET
Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystems, is on stage to introduce new adjustments to Circle to Search, which is able to seemingly come to the most recent Google Pixel telephones and the Galaxy S26 sequence. His first instance contains circling a textual content chat to request agentic actions by Gemini, resembling sifting by means of restaurant menus and inserting an order on Grubhub.
That is all finished on background, with the Circle to Search motion occurring in a “digital monitor” that does not disrupt energetic cellphone duties.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:15 p.m. ET
Acquired a query about your cellphone? Samsung’s AI assistant, Bixby, is getting an AI-powered facelift that helps customers simply ask their cellphone questions. The replace makes it less complicated for individuals to let AI deal with settings they might have needed to configure themselves. It additionally improves upon Circle-to-Search with Google to establish a number of objects without delay.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:13 p.m. ET
Whereas Samsung’s built-in privateness show on its S26 Extremely will definitely draw essentially the most consideration, the tech firm is selling privateness throughout its units with a number of new options.
Samsung introduced a Name Screening function that identifies unknown callers and their causes for calling to raised handle spam, catching as much as related options from Google and Apple. Its machine learning-powered Privateness Alerts function notifies Galaxy S26 customers when apps attempt to entry delicate information. Lastly, Personal Album makes it straightforward to cover chosen media with out creating a brand new folder or signing right into a Samsung account.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 1:10 p.m. ET
Who knew that it might take Samsung, Google, and Perplexity to create essentially the most polished agentic AI expertise we have seen on telephones but? With Bixby supporting conversational queries on OneUI 8.5, customers can now ask Samsung’s native assistant to regulate settings and discover solutions to questions by way of the online. It is similar to Gemini, I do know.
However Samsung is taking issues a step additional, permitting customers to request multi-step actions, resembling reserving an Uber or looking by means of their messages for particular data. Notably, Bixby will affirm any transactions with you earlier than they’re accomplished. The query now could be what number of different apps and providers will help these agentic AI capabilities?
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 1:05 p.m. ET
TMRoh kicks off the keynote for Unpacked, making Samsung’s stance on AI use clear. Roh says AI is integral to Samsung’s infrastructure, and that “infrastructure is about duty.”
“Individuals have each proper to ask: ‘The place is my data being shared? How is it getting used?'” Roh mentioned.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 1:04 p.m. ET
In what has turn into a development with tech product launches, Unpacked is kicking off with a sentimental video of how a baby is repurposing their Samsung cellphone field right into a doll.
As for the precise keynote, TM Roh, CEO, President, and Head of System Expertise Division, is the primary one on stage to greet the group. He is teasing what’s to return throughout right this moment’s keynote, together with new telephones, earbuds, and AI developments.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 12:30 p.m. ET
The San Francisco venue is filling up, and we’re formally minutes away from Unpacked to kick off. When you’re tuning into the livestream early, Samsung is broadcasting real-world testimonials of its merchandise (titled “Voices of Galaxy”) and the way customers are leveraging Galaxy telephones to make a significant change. Count on to see extra examples in the course of the keynote.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 12:00 p.m. ET
Keep in mind Bixby? It is nonetheless a factor, and Samsung seems to be making it a much bigger deal than ever. Forward of Unpacked, the corporate introduced that with OneUI 8.5, Bixby will be capable to modify your machine settings and supply the online for solutions to your queries.
Most significantly, the in-house AI assistant will reply to pure language, so you’ll be able to talk with it identical to how you’d with Gemini. That begs the query of how seamless all of those rumored AI integrations, together with a partnership with Perplexity, will likely be. We’ll should see for ourselves when the telephones arrive for testing.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 11:35 a.m. ET
We’re slightly greater than an hour away from Unpacked, and {industry} analyst Ice Universe is beginning to drip-feed attainable data concerning the brand new S26 fashions. Their newest put up hints at sooner charging, with the S26 (seemingly the Extremely) with the ability to go from 1% to 80% in simply half-hour.
That is a step sooner than the S25 Extremely’s 45W score, and compares effectively with the OnePlus 15, which presently leads the US market in charging velocity. Notably, Ice Universe’s put up begins at 1% cost fairly than 0%, so anticipate the cellphone to take longer to prime up if the battery is totally lifeless.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 10:42 a.m. ET
Will Samsung’s new telephones be as fairly and pink as Nothing’s Phone 4a? Forward of Nothing’s March 5 cellphone launch, it unveiled a pastel pink colorway that I am unable to assist however be completely obsessive about.
It would not appear like Samsung’s S26 lineup will embrace such a colour, however rumors counsel we are able to anticipate Black, White, Cobalt Violet, and Sky Blue for the S26, and Silver Shadow and Pink Gold as S26 Extremely on-line unique colours.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 25 at 9:45 a.m. ET
Considering of buying a Galaxy S26 right this moment? Listed here are some ideas and reminders to avoid wasting essentially the most cash while you do.
- Register on Samsung’s reservation page to obtain a $30 accent credit score used at checkout. It additionally mechanically enters you into Samsung’s $5,000 sweepstakes.
- Examine a number of retailers, since preorder credit differ by retailer. For the primary time, Finest Purchase and AT&T are becoming a member of in on the preorder enjoyable. Proper now, by means of 1 p.m. ET, Finest Purchase is providing an excellent higher trade-in deal than Samsung’s. Its worth is up to $1,100 ($200 greater than Samsung’s), and it comes with a free improve to bigger inside storage.
- Make a Samsung account along with your work or faculty electronic mail, as the corporate provides reductions to college students and a few workplace staff.
- Use websites like Rakuten for reductions or cashback in the course of the occasion.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m. ET
Whereas I am deeply invested within the new Privateness Show function on the Galaxy S26, a part of me needs Samsung would go the additional mile and at last combine magnets into the backs of its telephones for enhanced charging and accent help. Apple’s been a champion of that with MagSafe over time, and Google only recently adopted go well with with the Pixel 10 sequence.
This is to hoping Samsung provides one thing related. It is by no means too late.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 25 at 8:20 a.m. ET
It is not loopy Galaxy AI options, or a tri-foldable cellphone, however South Korean boy band member, Suga of BTS, who is predicted to make a visitor look at Unpacked later right this moment — and probably carry out a music or two.
That is each becoming for Samsung as BTS as been a model ambassador for years now, and goes hand-in-hand with the rumored launch of recent wi-fi earbuds.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 24 at 8:40 p.m. ET
I am most likely spending an unhealthy period of time fascinated by this query, simply to be let down when the time comes, however it makes a lot sense for Samsung to only exchange the Galaxy S Plus mannequin with the Edge as an alternative. They’re each comparatively the identical dimension, and it might make the center baby of the preferred Galaxy cellphone sequence greater than only a “cheaper Extremely.”
And if the value enhance this yr is true, due partially to rising memory costs, then the Plus mannequin could also be virtually too costly to think about now. Customers will seemingly select between the most affordable S26 and the S26 Extremely.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 24 at 5:43 p.m. ET
Whereas the S26 lineup will seize essentially the most consideration on Wednesday (and is essentially the most anticipated product to be unveiled), I am maintaining a tally of potential bulletins for Samsung’s sensible glasses, a second-gen Galaxy Ring, and some other wildcard merchandise Samsung has stored below wraps.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 24 at 4:17 p.m. ET
Leaked images of what would be the Samsung Buds Professional 4 reveal a very new design, not like the third-generation Professional that we examined two years in the past.
Like Apple’s AirPods Professional 3, the brand new Samsung Galaxy Buds Professional 4 will help head gestures, resembling shaking to say no calls or messages and nodding to just accept. As somebody who makes use of the AirPods Professional 3’s head-shaking gesture continuously, it is a welcome, hands-free addition for Samsung customers.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 24 at 4:02 p.m. ET
Whereas my preliminary plan was to fly to San Francisco for the massive occasion this week, the northeastern snowstorm has cancelled and delayed so many flights that I am not even certain if I will be capable to take off for Cell World Congress in a number of extra days. I am speaking snow as excessive as two Galaxy S25 Ultras.
That mentioned, a number of ZDNET contributors, together with Prakhar Khanna and Adam Doud, will likely be in attendance at Samsung Unpacked, whereas the remainder of us will likely be protecting the occasion remotely.
By Nina Raemont, Wearables and Health Editor / Feb. 24 at 3:50 p.m. ET
Leaked benchmark scores counsel the Galaxy S26 is thrashing its iOS rival for the primary time. If Geekbench’s leaked outcomes are true, the Galaxy S26 Extremely is 17% extra highly effective than the iPhone 17 Professional sequence, with a single-core rating of three,852 and a multicore rating of 11,738.
We’ll have to attend and get our arms on the Extremely cellphone to seek out out if the efficiency hole actually is true.
By Kerry Wan, Editor in Chief / Feb. 24 at 3:40 p.m. ET
It is turn into an Unpacked custom now for Samsung to supply a “reservation to preorder” low cost to clients. This yr, you successfully get a $30 off coupon by pledging your curiosity in preordering one of many units introduced at Unpacked, with no obligation to really make the acquisition.
Additionally: Samsung unveils Galaxy S26 Ultra deal for $900 off ahead of Unpacked 2026 – how it works
That is lower than the $50 supply that Samsung gave final yr, however nonetheless a freebie for anybody who finally ends up investing within the newest Galaxy units. Samsung says it’s going to additionally supply as much as $900 in trade-in credit this yr, relying on what cellphone mannequin you flip in. The very best worth usually goes to newer Samsung telephones, just like the S25 Extremely.
