Samsung Releases New Flagship Phones With Focus on Easy-to-Use AI
samsung announced new smartphones and earbuds today, unveiling the Galaxy S26 series — the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra — alongside the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, with pre-orders open now and an official launch set for March 11th.
Samsung's new S26 lineup
The S26 family arrives in three models: the Samsung Galaxy S26, Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. All three now start at 256GB of storage, up from 128GB on the S25 and S25 Plus, and include a new internal chip built for faster performance across tasks and new AI software features. The S26 Ultra is singled out for improved cameras and faster wired and wireless charging, and it starts at $1, 299 — the same starting price as last year’s S25 Ultra.
Storage bumps, battery and pricing details
The standard S26 gets a slightly larger battery at 4, 300 mAh, up from 4, 000 mAh in the previous model. The S26 Plus offers slightly faster wireless charging. Both the S26 and S26 Plus now begin at 256GB of storage, a change that raises their retail prices by $100; the new starting prices are $899 for the S26 and $1, 099 for the S26 Plus. The three-model storage shift and pricing change take effect with pre-orders placed today and the March 11th launch.
New built-in privacy screen and AI features
One of the headline features across the S26 phones is a built-in privacy screen that goes beyond traditional privacy filters. Users can customize what elements are dimmed to onlookers — including notifications and password screens — rather than only applying a full-screen dim at off angles. The devices pair that hardware change with the new internal chip and expanded AI software features meant to speed common tasks.
Earbuds redesigned: Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro
samsung also announced the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, both sporting a new design with smoother, rounded eartips that depart from the Buds 3’s sharp, triangular stem shape. The Buds 4 use a semi-open ear design without rubber eartips, similar to Apple AirPods 4, and deliver up to six hours of battery life plus 30 more hours from the charging case. The Buds 4 Pro are the premium option with traditional rubber eartips and up to seven hours of battery life plus 30 more from the case.
Edge phone, watches and a summer event
Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 Edge last year, a super-thin, super-light model, but the brand did not mention an Edge variant during today’s event; whether there will be a Galaxy S26 Edge is unclear in the provided context. The company typically launches new Galaxy Watches, Z-Flip and Z-Fold phones in the summer, and the announcement notes an expected second Galaxy Unpacked event in the summer for those devices.
Galaxy Ring legal disputes and uncertain future
The Galaxy Ring, which launched in the summer of 2024, is tied up in patent litigation: Oura filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung, and Samsung has filed a counter suit. The report also notes Samsung has filed similar patent suits against smart ring makers Ultrahuman, RingConn and Zepp Health. Because of the ongoing legal actions, the fate of the Galaxy Ring is described as more uncertain than other products, and when a Galaxy Ring 2 might hit store shelves is unclear in the provided context.
A longtime reporter who covers phones, smartwatches and earbuds said they have covered Samsung and its competitors for years and offered this roundup of the launches. All the new products are available for pre-order today, and devices officially launch on March 11th; Samsung is expected to hold a second Galaxy Unpacked event in the summer for watches and its foldable phones.
