E-Paper
Sign In
Samsung Galaxy S26 series set for February 25 debut: Here’s everything we expect at Unpacked 2026
The tech giant says it will 'unveil its newest Galaxy innovations, marking a new phase in the era of AI as intelligence becomes truly personal and adaptive'
- PUBLISHED: Wed 11 Feb 2026, 1:15 PM
After a 2025 packed with ambitious foldables, Samsung is ready to kick off 2026 in signature fashion.
The company has officially confirmed that its first Galaxy Unpacked event of the year will take place on February 25 in San Francisco. While Samsung’s invite doesn’t explicitly name the devices launching, all signs point to the debut of the Galaxy S26 lineup.
Recommended For You
Khaleej Times will be covering Galaxy Unpacked live. Until then, here’s everything we expect Samsung to unveil.
When is Unpacked 2026?
Samsung shared its official invite on February 10, confirming that Galaxy Unpacked will take place on February 25 in San Francisco.
The keynote begins at 10pm UAE time and will be livestreamed on Samsung.com, the company’s newsroom and its YouTube channel.
The teaser also hints at a major AI push, stating the launch will mark “a new phase in the era of AI as intelligence becomes truly personal and adaptive.” That messaging strongly suggests AI will take centre stage across the S26 lineup.
Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra
If leaks are accurate, Samsung is sticking to a familiar design language this year.
Based on circulated renders, the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra are expected to retain the flat front display and frame introduced in recent generations, along with rounded corners and vertically aligned rear cameras housed in a pill-shaped plateau.
Performance upgrades
All Galaxy S26 models are widely expected to feature Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. However, as in previous years, Samsung may deploy its Exynos 2600 processor in select regions, according to Korean outlet Yonhap News.
Either way, users should see performance improvements across the board, particularly in on-device AI processing.
Galaxy S26 to be bigger?
The base Galaxy S26 could feature a modest screen bump, increasing to 6.3 inches (up from 6.2 inches on the S25), paired with an FHD+ display.
Leaked specifications suggest:
12GB RAM
256GB or 512GB storage options
4,300mAh battery (slightly larger than its predecessor)
Camera hardware is expected to remain unchanged:
50MP main
12MP ultrawide
10MP 3x telephoto
12MP selfie camera
The S26+ is reportedly even more iterative, retaining its 6.7-inch FHD+ display, 4,900mAh battery, 12GB RAM and similar camera setup, with the new chip being the primary upgrade.
Galaxy S26 Ultra
The S26 Ultra appears to be where Samsung may introduce clearer differentiation.
According to Android Headlines, the Ultra will feature slightly more pronounced camera modules with a new metallic finish. There are also reports that Samsung could switch back to an aluminum frame after using titanium in the S24 and S25 Ultra models.
One of the most intriguing rumours involves Qi2 wireless charging. While Samsung phones technically support Qi2 speeds, they lack built-in magnetic alignment, unlike Apple’s MagSafe.
To fully enable Qi2 magnetic support, Samsung is reportedly removing the S Pen digitiser layer and adopting a new stylus input method. If accurate, this would allow proper magnetic accessory support without interfering with the S Pen experience.
However, separate leaks suggest the S26 lineup may still lack built-in magnets, instead relying on magnetic cases.
Galaxy S26 Edge
Samsung is also expected to continue its ultra-thin experiment with the Galaxy S26 Edge.
Rather than replacing the “Plus” model, the Edge is likely to remain a niche alternative, similar to how Samsung positions its foldables.
The S26 Edge is rumoured to feature:
A redesigned rectangular camera plateau reminiscent of Google Pixel devices
A thickness of just 5.5mm (down from 5.8mm on the S25 Edge)
That would make it one of the slimmest flagship smartphones on the market.
Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro
Samsung’s earbuds are also due for an upgrade. The upcoming Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro are expected to refine the design.
Leaked images and reports suggest:
A more compact charging case
Support for head gestures to accept or decline calls
A new Ultra Wideband chip for improved tracking via Google’s Find Hub network
Samsung AI
Perhaps the most interesting developments may be on the software side.
Bloomberg reported in mid-2025 that Samsung was nearing a deal with AI search company Perplexity to integrate its technology across OneUI and Samsung’s mobile browser. If confirmed, this could introduce a new AI-powered search experience alongside, or even competing with, Google Gemini.
Samsung also accidentally revealed an updated version of Bixby, which could return as a more capable AI assistant integrated with Perplexity’s technology.
All eyes now turn to February 25. Khaleej Times will bring you live coverage from Galaxy Unpacked as and when it starts 10pm in Dubai.
Register at samsung.com/ae/unpacked to get all upcoming teasers, trailers, updates, and access to exclusive benefits ahead of Galaxy Unpacked February 2026.
