Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026: Everything we're expecting from the S26 launch on February 25

Source: Engadget

When is Unpacked 2026 taking place?

According to the official invite that Samsung shared on February 10, Unpacked will happen on February 25, 2026 in San Francisco.

• Keynote: 10 AM PT (1 PM ET)
• Livestream: Samsung.com, the company’s newsroom, and its YouTube channel

The February 10 announcement also said this launch will mark “a new phase in the era of AI as intelligence becomes truly personal and adaptive.” It’s not a lot to go on—similar language has been used by various companies over the past few years—but at least we won’t be shocked when we hear more about AI in just about two weeks.

Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra

Image: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands‑on photo
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Samsung’s restrained approach to updating its phones will likely continue with the Galaxy S26. Based on leaked images of the new lineup, the company is not expected to radically reinvent the look of the Galaxy S26, S26+, or Galaxy S26 Ultra; instead it will stick with a design similar to the Galaxy S25:

• Flat front screen and frame
• Rounded corners
• Cameras housed in a vertical pill‑shaped plateau on the back

Unlike Apple’s shift from the iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone 17 Pro, the biggest differences will likely be internal components (screens, chips, camera sensors).

Processor

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected in all Galaxy S26 phones.
• Korean news site Yonhap News reports that Samsung’s newer Exynos 2600 could be used in some regions—a strategy Samsung has employed before.

Either way, the new phones should be more performant than the previous generation, and the Snapdragon‑powered models should excel at on‑device AI processing.

I have compiled the most accurate comprehensive parameter comparison of Galaxy S25, S25+ and Galaxy S26, S26+. Which one do you want to buy?
— Ice Universe [@UniverseIce] (Nov 29, 2025)
pic.twitter.com/aQpoSvYjOz

Galaxy S26 (base model)

Galaxy S26+

Galaxy S26 Ultra

• Design: Slightly raised camera module with a new metallic finish.
• Frame: May return to an aluminum frame after the titanium frames used on the S24 and S25 Ultras.
• Stylus: Rumors suggest Samsung will remove the S Pen digitizer layer and adopt a new method for stylus input, potentially improving compatibility with Qi 2 accessories.
• Qi 2: To truly support Qi 2 (instead of only working when a case is attached), the S Pen digitizer removal is expected.

Android Headlines recently shared full‑image renders of the S26 series that line up with existing leaks, showing the camera bump and two color variants of the S26 Ultra.

Magnet‑based wireless charging

Despite the launch of the Qi 2 wireless‑charging standard (which adds convenient magnetic alignment), Samsung has yet to integrate built‑in magnets into its phones.

• Nieuwemobiel.nl reports images of cases with magnetic rings, suggesting the S26 series will continue to rely on aftermarket magnetic cases rather than having native magnets.

Galaxy Buds 4

Image: Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in case
Image credit: Engadget

• Samsung released the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro in 2024, featuring a major redesign that brought them closer to Apple’s AirPods.
• The upcoming Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro (rumored to be announced soon) are expected to keep the overall aesthetic but will sport a more compact case and less angular stems, according to leaked images from the Samsung Tips app.

Galaxy Buds 4 & 4 Pro (additional details)

• Support for head‑gestures to accept and decline calls—a feature Apple includes on the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4—is also rumored to work on both versions of the new Galaxy Buds.
• SamMobile reports the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro may ship with a new Ultra‑Wideband chip that will make them easier to locate via Google’s Find Hub network.

Galaxy Z TriFold

“Yes, the TriFold has a crease, two in fact. But they still don’t ruin the experience.”
— Sam Rutherford, Engadget

Samsung announced the Galaxy Z TriFold in late 2025 without firm details about when the new smartphone‑that‑folds‑into‑a‑tablet would be available in North America.

• January 27 2026: Samsung confirmed the TriFold would launch in the US on January 30 for a price of $2,900.
• The device was already on display at CES 2026, and most enthusiasts will have had a chance to see (or even buy) the foldable before the Unpacked event.
• Consequently, Samsung is unlikely to spend much time—if any—dwelling on the TriFold during the show.

Galaxy S26 Edge

At just 5.8 mm thick, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is one of the thinnest smartphones ever made.

“When the Galaxy S25 Edge was announced in 2025, it seemed possible that Samsung could replace its ‘Plus’ smartphone with a unique form factor, just like Apple has opted to do with the iPhone Air.”
— Sam Rutherford, Engadget

What we know about the upcoming S26 Edge

• Samsung is not planning to replace the “Plus” line with a new form factor; the Edge will remain an alternative option, similar to how foldables sit alongside traditional phones.
• According to Android Headlines, the S26 Edge will feature:
  • A large rectangular camera plateau reminiscent of Google Pixel devices.
  • A raised oval design element echoing Apple’s iPhone Air.
• The phone is expected to be slightly thinner than its predecessor—around 5.5 mm versus the S25 Edge’s 5.8 mm.

Bixby and Other AI Features

Samsung already serves as a primary showcase for Google’s new Android AI features, but the company is reportedly exploring additional AI partnerships.

• June 2025 (Bloomberg): Samsung was near a deal with Perplexity to integrate its AI‑powered search engine across One UI and Samsung’s native mobile browser.
  • Perplexity already powers Motorola’s Razr phones, so a Samsung partnership would be a logical extension despite Samsung’s close ties with Google.
• Samsung accidentally announced a new version of its Bixby AI assistant. The updated Bixby is expected to:
  • Integrate with Perplexity’s search capabilities.
  • Serve as a potential alternative to Google Gemini.

Both a refreshed Bixby and deeper Perplexity integration are likely candidates for software highlights at the Galaxy Unpacked event.

Updates

All information above is based on leaks, rumors, and official statements available as of February 2026.