Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026: The Galaxy S26 and other devices that might 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 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 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 phones.
• Korean news site Yonhap News reports 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‑based 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)
[Image: Tweet screenshot]

Galaxy S26 (base model)

• Display: 6.3‑inch FHD+ (slightly larger than the 6.2‑inch S25)
• RAM: 12 GB
• Storage: 256 GB or 512 GB
• Battery: 4,300 mAh
• Cameras: Same as S25 – 50 MP main, 12 MP ultra‑wide, 10 MP 3× telephoto, 12 MP selfie

Galaxy S26+

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (or regional Exynos)
• Display: 6.7‑inch FHD+
• Battery: 4,900 mAh
• RAM: 12 GB
• Cameras: Same array as the base S26

Galaxy S26 Ultra

• Design: Slightly more raised camera module with a new metallic finish
• Frame: Likely aluminum (reverting from the titanium used on the S24 and S25 Ultras)
• Qi 2 Support: Rumors suggest Samsung will remove the S Pen digitizer layer and adopt a new stylus‑input method, enabling true Qi 2 wireless charging without a case‑related workaround
• Render leaks: Android Headlines shared full‑image renders that align with existing rumors, showing the camera bump and two color variants

Magnet‑based wireless charging

Fans of magnetic alignment may be disappointed. Despite the Qi 2 standard supporting convenient magnetic positioning, Samsung has yet to integrate built‑in magnets into its phones.

• Nieuwemobiel.nl reports images of cases with magnetic rings, indicating the S26 series will likely rely on aftermarket magnetic accessories rather than native magnets.

Galaxy Buds 4

[Image: Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in case]
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 not expected to overhaul the design dramatically, but they will:

• Feature a more compact case
• Have less angular stems

Further details will emerge as the launch approaches.

Stay tuned for live coverage of Galaxy Unpacked on February 25, 2026!

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 – Rumors & Leaks

Galaxy Buds 4 & 4 Pro

• New features:
  • “Find My Buds” support via Google Find Hub network.
  • Ultra‑Wideband (UWB) chip for easier locating.
  • Head‑gesture controls (accept/decline calls) – a feature seen on Apple AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4.

SamMobile reports the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro may also ship with a new Ultra Wideband chip that will make them easier to find with 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

• Announcement timeline
  • Late 2025: Samsung announced the Galaxy Z TriFold (no NA release date).
  • Jan 27 2026 – Samsung confirmed U.S. availability on Jan 30 for $2,900.
  • The device was showcased at CES 2026, so most enthusiasts will have seen (or possibly bought) it before Unpacked.

Galaxy S26 Edge

“At just 5.8 mm thick, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is one of the thinnest smartphones ever made.” – Sam Rutherford, Engadget

• Design & specs rumors
  • The S26 Edge will not replace the “Plus” line; it will sit alongside foldables as an alternative form factor.
  • Expected design changes (according to Android Headlines):
    • Large rectangular camera “plateau” reminiscent of Google Pixel phones.
    • Raised oval camera module similar to Apple’s iPhone Air.
    • Thickness reduced to 5.5 mm (down from the S25 Edge’s 5.8 mm).

Bixby & Other AI Features

• AI partnerships

  • Samsung is a primary showcase for Google’s Android AI, but it is also exploring other collaborations.
  • June 2025: Bloomberg reported a near‑final deal with Perplexity to embed its AI‑powered search across One UI and Samsung’s native browser.
  • Perplexity already powers Motorola’s Razr phones; a Samsung partnership would be notable given Samsung’s close ties with Google.

• Bixby update

  • An accidental announcement hinted at a new version of Bixby, potentially integrated with Perplexity and positioned as an alternative to Google Gemini.

• Mobile AI photography teaser (Feb 17 2026)

  • New tools will expand the S‑series’ image‑editing suite, offering:
    • Day‑to‑night conversion in seconds.
    • Object‑part restoration for missing image sections.
    • Low‑light detail capture.
    • Seamless multi‑photo merging into a single cohesive result.

  While similar capabilities exist in other apps (e.g., Google Photos), Samsung will demonstrate them on the S26 lineup to prove any performance edge.

Update Log

All information above reflects the latest publicly available leaks and announcements as of February 2026.