Samsung officially announced the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra today which introduces its third generation of Galaxy AI. According to the Samsung, this is the most proactive and adaptive Galaxy AI experience yet. These new devices utilize a customized chipset and advanced thermal management to handle complex tasks in the background with minimal user input. The Galaxy S26 series targets professionals and everyday users by automating routine actions such as schedule management and information retrieval.
Leading the line is the Galaxy S26 Ultra which debuts the mobile industry's first built-in Privacy Display. This feature uses hardware and software to limit side viewing angles in public spaces. This model runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, delivering a 39% improvement in NPU performance for smoother AI operations. It also features a redesigned vapor chamber and Super Fast Charging 3.0 to reach a 75% charge in 30 minutes.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces a 19% boost in CPU performance and a 24% increase in GPU power to handle demanding mobile gaming and creative workflows. A redesigned vapor chamber with side-mounted thermal material ensures the device maintains peak speeds during long video capture sessions or heavy multitasking. This hardware foundation supports the new ProScaler technology, which uses the processor to sharpen text and enhance fine details in photos and videos automatically.
The Galaxy S26 series integrates a 200MP main camera on the Ultra model and a 50MP primary sensor on the standard and Plus variants, with wider apertures to enhance low-light performance. Samsung also introduced the APV professional-grade video codec to provide high-quality compression for advanced editing workflows alongside an upgraded Super Steady mode with a horizontal lock. The camera system utilizes AI-powered tools such as the Photo Assist suite for text-based image edits and an improved AI ISP to capture more natural skin tones in various lighting conditions..
Productivity features like Now Nudge and Now Brief work in the background to suggest actions based on the user's current context. The system can automatically surface relevant photos from the Gallery when a contact asks for them or check for calendar conflicts when a user receives a meeting invite. Additionally, the upgraded Circle to Search now recognizes multiple objects at once, allowing users to identify an entire outfit or several items in a single scan.
Price and Availability in the Philippines
Pre-orders for the Galaxy S26 series begin on February 26 in Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue. The Galaxy S26 starts at PHP 58,990 for the 256GB model and PHP 72,990 for 512GB. The Galaxy S26+ retails for PHP 74,990 for 256GB and PHP 88,990 for 512GB. For the Galaxy S26 Ultra, pricing starts at PHP 86,990 for 256GB, PHP 100,990 for 512GB, and PHP 121,990 for the 1TB variant. Customers can avail of a double storage upgrade worth up to PHP 14,000 and 0% installment plans through participating banks and Samsung Authorized Stores until March 8.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Specs
Display Size: 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X DisplayRefresh Rate: 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)
Features: Vision booster, 6.7-inch viewable area with rounded corners, Privacy Display
Dimensions and Weight
Measurements: 78.1 X 163.6 X 7.9mm
Weight: 214g
Camera System
Rear Cameras:
200MP Wide Camera (F1.4, 2x Optical Quality Zoom)
50MP Telephoto Camera (F2.9, 5x Optical Zoom, 10x Optical Quality Zoom)
50MP Ultra-Wide Camera (F1.9)
10MP Telephoto Camera (F2.4, 3x Optical Zoom)
Front Camera: 12MP (F2.2)
Performance
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
Memory and Storage Options:
16GB RAM + 1TB Storage
12GB RAM + 512GB Storage
12GB RAM + 256GB Storage
Battery and Charging
Capacity: 5,000 mAh (typical)
Wired Charging: Up to 75% charge in around 30 mins with 60W Adapter
Wireless Charging: Super Fast Wireless Charging
Additional Features: Wireless PowerShare
Software and OS
Operating System: Android 16
User Interface: One UI 8.5
Connectivity and Durability
Network: 5G, LTE
Wireless: Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v 6.0
Durability: IP68 dust and water resistance (up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for 30 minutes)
Samsung Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ Specs
DisplayGalaxy S26: 6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display
Galaxy S26+: 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display
Refresh Rate: 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)
Features: Vision booster, 6.1-inch (S26) and 6.5-inch (S26+) viewable area with rounded corners
Dimensions and Weight
Galaxy S26: 71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2mm, 167g (Sub6)
Galaxy S26+: 75.8 x 158.4 x 7.3mm, 190g (mmWave/Sub6)
Performance
Processor: Exynos 2600
Memory and Storage:
Galaxy S26: 12GB RAM + 256GB or 512GB Storage
Galaxy S26+: 12GB RAM + 256GB or 512GB Storage
Camera System
Rear Cameras (Both Models):
50MP Wide Camera (F1.8, 2x Optical Quality Zoom)
12MP Ultra-Wide Camera (F2.2)
10MP Telephoto Camera (F2.4, 3x Optical Zoom)
Front Camera: 12MP (F2.2)
Battery and Charging
Capacity:
Galaxy S26: 4,300 mAh (typical)
Galaxy S26+: 4,900 mAh (typical)
Wired Charging:
Galaxy S26: Up to 55% charge in around 30 mins with 25W Adapter
Galaxy S26+: Up to 69% charge in around 30 mins with 45W Adapter
Wireless: Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (S26), Super Fast Wireless Charging (S26+), Wireless PowerShare
Software and OS
Operating System: Android 16
User Interface: One UI 8.5
Connectivity and Durability
Network: 5G, LTE
Wireless:
Galaxy S26: Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v 5.4
Galaxy S26+: Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v 6.0
Durability: IP68 dust and water resistance (up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for 30 minutes)
