Samsung S26 Ultra leads Galaxy S26 lineup focused on easier AI
Samsung announced new smartphones and earbuds today, including the samsung s26 ultra and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, and made all the new products available for pre-order today ahead of an official launch on March 11. The company says the S26 family adds a new internal chip and AI software features intended to improve everyday performance.
S26 family, storage jump and February launch cadence
Samsung is launching a full lineup of S26 phones: the Samsung Galaxy S26, Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. All three models now start at 256GB of storage, up from 128GB on the S25 and S25 Plus. The brand launches new phones and earbuds in February, having done so consistently for over five years now, and the company opened pre-orders for the new products today with a March 11 street date.
S26 and S26 Plus: minor hardware upgrades, battery and price
The S26 and S26 Plus receive a few minor hardware upgrades. The S26 has a slightly larger battery — 4, 300 mAh, up from 4, 000 — while the S26 Plus gains slightly faster wireless charging. Both models now begin at 256GB of storage, an increase that makes them $100 more expensive than before, with retail prices of $899 for the S26 and $1, 099 for the S26 Plus.
Samsung S26 Ultra: improved cameras, faster charging and unchanged flagship price
The Samsung S26 Ultra brings improved cameras and faster wired and wireless charging to the top of the family. It starts at $1, 299, unchanged from last year’s S25 Ultra price. The series-wide new internal chip is also intended to speed up tasks and support the lineup’s new AI software features.
Built-in privacy screen is a major software tweak
A prominent new feature across the devices is a built-in privacy screen. Traditional privacy screens make displays look dim and dark when viewed at an off-angle; Samsung can reproduce that effect but offers a highly customizable implementation. Users can choose what elements to dim to onlookers, including notifications, password screens and more.
Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro: design, battery life and eartips
Samsung also announced the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Both share a new design with smoother, rounded eartips, a clear departure from the Buds 3’s sharp, triangular stem shape. The Buds 4 are the more budget-friendly option and do not have rubber eartips, meaning they use a semi-open ear design similar to Apple AirPods 4; they will get up to six hours of battery life, plus 30 more from the charging case. The Buds 4 Pro are the premium model, featuring traditional rubber eartips and up to seven hours of battery life plus 30 more from the charging case.
S25 Edge, unmentioned Edge plans and summer devices
Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 Edge last year, a super-thin, super-light smartphone compared with its other models. The brand did not mention the Edge during its event, so we do not know whether there will be a Galaxy S26 Edge at this time. Samsung typically launches new Galaxy Watches, Z-Flip and Z-Fold phones in the summer, and the company expects a second Galaxy Unpacked event in the summer for the latest versions of those devices.
Galaxy Ring legal fights leave ring future unclear
The Samsung Galaxy Ring launched in the summer of 2024. Oura, maker of the Oura Ring, quickly filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung, and Samsung filed a counter suit against Oura. Samsung has also filed similar patent suits against smart ring makers including Ultrahuman, RingConn, Zepp Health and others. All that legal activity means the fate of the Samsung Galaxy Ring is more uncertain than some of the brand’s other products; it is unclear in the provided context when a Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 might hit store shelves.
The reporter covering the launches noted they have covered Samsung and its competitors for years as part of phone, smartwatch and earbuds coverage.
