Samsung Galaxy S26: Unveiling the Latest Features, Pricing, and Launch Date

Samsung has officially unveiled its latest series of flagship Galaxy phones for the year, introducing the Galaxy S26, S26+, and the S26 Ultra. These phones come with a price increase but all start with 256GB of storage. While upgrades are selective, with no Qi2 magnets built in as expected, the standout feature exclusive to the S26 Ultra is the Privacy Display.

The Galaxy S26 range was revealed slightly later than usual, following Unpacked in San Francisco. Though not the most groundbreaking phones compared to their predecessors, the Galaxy S25 series, they still offer great features and benefits. With Samsung’s promise of seven years of software updates and improvements to OneUI, these handsets make a compelling case for new users.

Initial rumors suggested the S26 might be replaced by an all-new ‘S26 Pro’, and the Plus model might be replaced by the now-canceled S26 Edge. Despite hopes for significant changes, this generation of Samsung flagships continues with a more ‘business as usual’ approach, with some notable upgrades worth mentioning.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup includes the S26, S26+, and the S26 Ultra. The S26 Ultra is the only model to feature the world-first Privacy Display, which allows users to block segments of the screen from side-viewers. This feature enhances on-the-go security and privacy but is exclusive to the Ultra model.

In terms of battery life and charging, the entry-level S26 sees an increase in battery capacity from 4000mAh to 4300mAh. Charging speeds have also improved, with the S26 Ultra now supporting 60W wired charging and 25W wireless charging. However, the absence of magnetic Qi2 wireless charging is a notable omission compared to other smartphone models.

Camera upgrades are limited, with improvements only seen in the S26 Ultra, particularly in low-light performance with changes to the aperture counts on specific lenses. The chipset has been upgraded to the new Exynos 2600 on the S26 and S26+, while the S26 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy CPU, promising enhanced performance.

A minor design tweak includes a raised camera bar on the back of the phones, distinguishing them from previous models. Samsung has also moved away from offering 128GB models, with the S26 now starting at 256GB storage capacity.

OneUI 8.5 makes its debut on the Galaxy S26 range, offering aesthetic changes and new features to improve everyday usability. Bixby receives updates for more AI-infused interactions, and new voice commands allow users to tweak settings via voice commands.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 release date is set for March 11, with pre-orders currently available. Prices for the Galaxy S26 range have seen substantial increases, starting at £879 for the S26, £1,099 for the S26+, and £1,279 for the S26 Ultra. Pre-order offers include double the storage at no extra cost and trade-in deals for a limited time.

In summary, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series offers incremental upgrades and improvements across the board, with a focus on performance, security, and usability. The lineup caters to different user needs with varying features and price points, making them a viable option for those looking to upgrade their smartphones.