Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup is now official, and for those who have been following Galaxy news for the past few months, the lineup differs from what was initially expected. It was reported that Samsung would introduce massive changes to the lineup, but following months of rumors and various reports, Samsung stayed consistent and has delivered the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy 26 Ultra.
Reintroducing an aluminum frame, the newest Galaxy devices are slim and light, moving away from last year’s titanium material. While the weight numbers for the Galaxy S26 Ultra don’t look like much on paper (218g last year, 214g this year), the in-hand feel is certainly lighter from our initial testing.
What’s New: As for “what’s new,” Samsung is looking to advance the onboard AI throughout its software system. If you were looking for major hardware changes, 2026 and the Galaxy S26 lineup is not the place to look. However, if you value year-over-year spec bumps and AI software advancements, then Samsung has certainly delivered that.
The most user-facing AI changes include an upgraded Bixby, which now features a more conversational agent vibe. For example, you can ask Bixby, “My eyes are tired, what setting can I use to help with that?” Bixby will then deliver a helpful answer which will include a system toggle for a blue light filter. The goal is to make Bixby your go-to for any software/hardware issues, allowing users to skip getting lost in the massive Settings menu.
The other AI feature that users will be shown often, so long as they use the Samsung Keyboard, is Now Nudge. This one should remind everybody that everything you do on your phone is being watched, so long as it’s enabled. With it, let’s say a friend texts you and asks for photos from a trip you took to Alaska. The system will recognize this all by itself and prompt you that it can group together your photos from Alaska and share them with your friend, letting you skip the entire process.
Exclusive to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung’s biggest hardware innovation is its Privacy Display. When enabled, certain pixels are shut off, making viewing the display from an angle not possible. You have to be looking directly at the screen to see anything on it. This can be enabled across the system, for certain apps, or even inside of Bixby Routines so it’s only enabled when you’re at a certain location. From our brief hands-on time, this is our favorite new feature on the S26 Ultra.
Also in the privacy/security section, Samsung is including new AI-powered features like Call Screening and Privacy Alerts that utilize machine learning. Call Screening is similar to what we have on Pixel phones, with an AI capable of answering the phone for you and literally screening the call. Privacy Alerts proactively notify users in real time when apps with device admin privileges unnecessarily attempt to access sensitive data, such as precise location, call logs, or contacts. Samsung Gallery app users will also appreciate the new Private Album feature.
Powering the lineup is the Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. On paper, users can look forward to bumps of 19% in CPU performance, 39% in NPU performance, and a 24% increase in GPU performance. While you’ll notice these performance boosts when utilizing AI, let’s not forget that people still game on these devices, which should also benefit from a redesigned Vapor Chamber on the S26 Ultra.
For the full spec rundown of the Galaxy S26 series, look below.
Pricing and Availability: All Galaxy S26 models are now up for pre-order, starting at $899 for the Galaxy S26, $1099 for the Galaxy S26+, and $1299 for Galaxy S26 Ultra. General availability begins March 11.
Pre-Order: Galaxy S26 | S26+ | S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Lineup Specs
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | Galaxy S26+ | Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 16 One UI 8.5 | Android 16 One UI 8.5 | Android 16 One UI 8.5 |
| Display | 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+ (3120 x 1440), 500 ppi, 1-120Hz S Pen support | 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+ (3120 x 1440), 516 ppi, 1-120Hz | 6.3″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+ (2340 × 1080), 411 ppi, 1-120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (3nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (3nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (3nm) |
| Memory | Memory: 12/16 GB Storage: 256/512 GB, 1 TB Micro SD: N/A | Memory: 12/16 GB Storage: 256/512 GB, 1 TB Micro SD: N/A | Memory: 12 GB Storage: 256/512 GB Micro SD: N/A |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh Super Fast Charging 3.0 Super Fast Wireless Charging Wireless PowerShare | 4,900 mAh Super Fast Charging 2.0 Super Fast Wireless Charging Wireless PowerShare | 4,300 mAh Super Fast Charging Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare |
| Cameras | Ultra Wide: 50 MP F1.9 (0.7 μm) Wide: 200 MP F1.4 (0.6 μm) Optical Quality 2x Tele 1: 10 MP F2.4 (1.12 μm) 3x optical zoom Tele 2: 50 MP F2.9 (0.7 μm) 5x optical zoom Optical Quality 10x Front: 12 MP F2.2 (1.12 μm) | Ultra Wide: 12 MP F2.2 (1.4 μm) Wide: 50 MP F1.8 (1.0 μm) Optical Quality 2x Tele: 10 MP F2.4 (1.0 μm) 3x optical zoom Front: 12 MP F2.2 (1.12 μm) | Ultra Wide: 12 MP F2.2 (1.4 μm) Wide: 50 MP F1.8 (1.0 μm) Optical Quality 2x Tele: 10 MP F2.4 (1.0 μm) 3x optical zoom Front: 12 MP F2.2 (1.12 μm) |
| Connectivity | Sub6/mmWave | Sub6/mmWave | Sub6/mmWave |
| Durability | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Other | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Face Recognition | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Face Recognition | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Face Recognition |
| Size | 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9 mm 214 g | 75.8 x 158.4 x 7.3 mm 190 g | 71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2 mm 167 g |
| Colors | Cobalt Violet(Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White Online exclusive: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold | Cobalt Violet(Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White Online exclusive: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold | Cobalt Violet(Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White Online exclusive: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold |
Comments
11 responses to “Galaxy S26 Series Made Official, Starts at $899”
Went for it for my fiance. Searched around and got a pretty solid deal. If you have a capital one card, look through capital one offers, you might have $150 off $600. Traded in an S24 Ultra for the 256GB S26 Ultra. I had some points saved up, so $45 off there. $30 reserve credit went toward the new earbuds. In the end I'm out $486 for the phone and earbuds, not bad! I was expecting much worse given the RAMpocalypse and all.
Thanks for the tip – I see an offer for 15k CapOne miles if I spend $600. I guess that's kind of the same thing as $150. Thanks!
Their discounts and freebies keep getting chintzy each year.
Now this is strange, when I first went to their Samsung shop site to look at the s26+ and I added my trade in, it first said $750 for an S25+. I backed out of it for some reason and then when I went back, it listed $700 trade in for the 25 plus. Looks looks like I missed a software glitch. ????????
Google Fi is not even listing s25 variant as a trade-in. They usually have better prices. I bet you in a few weeks or shortly they will add it.
UPDATE: Google Fi added the S25+ trade in for $325 which equals a net price of $276.
A better deal offering than Samsung direct. Granted, you have to pay $600 price upfront and then ship in your unit and wait for them to further discount. ????
I have a feeling they're still working out the kinks. Same with the Best Buy site. More and more models are now appearing.
Looks like there are no storage discounts, but Best Buy is offering $200 discount for the 512gb and 1tb variations.
I usually buy from Samsung but VZW has the best deal. You get up to $1299 for the trade in. So a S26 Ultra is only $5 or $13 (1TB) per month.
Best deal I've ever had. Trading in s23 Ultra for $650. I had $500 Samsung Rewards for doing Samsung TV and Me program which just ended. Samsung doubled that amount for new phone purchase to $1000. Ended up getting s26 Ultra 1tb, Buds Pro 4, and did the Samung + theft and loss insurance all for $570. I saved over $1500. I'm going to miss Samsung's TV and Me. ????
Oof first no trade in for the Z Trifold, now they're reducing tradein values for the s26 launch, and no more free storage upgrades either.
U gotta go to Best Buy for the storage upgrade this year. I'm over buying directly from Samsung. They even switched their financing to 3rd party.
Watch out for a code from Best Buy, I got a code for a $30 gift card, which matches Samsung's $30 reservation promo
Oh look, iPhone moves away from Titanium and 6 months later Samsung moves away from titanium…why do they feel the need to just copy everything???