As a long-time Samsung user with a Galaxy Z Flip 6, I approached the Galaxy Unpacked event on 25 February 2026 with measured expectations. The livestream from San Francisco highlighted advancements in the Galaxy ecosystem, yet much of it appeared as incremental refinements rather than substantial progress—particularly ironic given the promotion of privacy-focused features like the new Privacy Display, which protects against shoulder surfing while Samsung remains silent on the AppCloud controversy. For the uninformed, AppCloud is a pre-installed application on Galaxy A, M & F series devices in the West Asia & North Africa region, accused of functioning as unremovable spyware developed by the israeli-founded ironSource. This bloatware, which reportedly harvests user data without explicit consent & cannot be fully removed without root access, has sparked calls for boycotts & an open letter from digital rights group SMEX urging Samsung to cease its forced installation. It would have been prudent for Samsung to address this during Unpacked with an apology for the privacy concerns & a firm commitment to eliminate such features from all future devices across every region, thereby rebuilding trust among affected users but the omission left a dissonant note. Apart from that, the emphasis on artificial intelligence & hardware felt repetitive, with layers of AI enhancements that did little to captivate. Below, I will dissect the announcements with a strong focus on distinguishing features exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series from those accessible to existing users via One UI 8.5 updates. I also examine Samsung’s pricing strategy amid industry challenges, & why none of this prompts me to upgrade from my Flip 6—while I remain hopeful for the Galaxy Z Flip 8.
Galaxy S26 Series: Proprietary Hardware & Design
The core announcements centred on the Galaxy S26, S26+ & S26 Ultra, with several features tied directly to new hardware, rendering them unavailable on older devices.
- Galaxy S26: This model starts at $899 for 256GB storage, a shift from the S25’s 128GB base at $799, though comparable to the S25’s 256GB variant at $859—marking a modest $40 increase. Proprietary elements include a larger 6.3-inch display with reduced bezels, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset for enhanced efficiency & a bigger battery. The camera hardware sees upgrades with wider apertures for improved light capture.
- Galaxy S26+: Priced at $1,099 for 256GB, up $100 from the S25+’s $999 equivalent. Exclusive features encompass a 6.8-inch screen, extended battery life & the same advanced chipset, optimised for sustained performance.
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: At $1,299 for 256GB, matching the S25 Ultra’s starting price. Hardware-specific innovations include 60W wired charging, a slimmer design with superior thermal management & high-resolution camera sensors. Notably, the Privacy Display feature obscures content from side views, enhancing security in public settings by preventing shoulder surfing. This hardware-dependent tool adjusts screen angles & brightness to limit visibility, integrating with AI for contextual activation—such as in banking apps or sensitive messages. While it promotes privacy against nearby observers, it highlights an irony in Samsung’s approach, as the event overlooked broader privacy concerns elsewhere in the ecosystem.
Pre-orders commenced on 26 February 2026 (Japan Time), with availability from 11 March. Colour options span Cobalt Violet, White, Black, Sky Blue, Pink Gold & Silver Shadow, notably omitting green variants—a potential drawback for those preferring such hues. These devices incorporate data-driven ergonomics & durable finishes, but the form factor pales against my Flip 6’s foldable convenience.
Amid a widely reported RAM shortage driven by AI demand, Samsung has maintained comparable pricing, particularly for the Ultra model. This stability may stem from strategic moves, such as securing two years’ output from a Mexican silver mine via a $7 million prepayment to Silver Storm Mining in October 2025. Silver’s role in electronic components could enable cost offsets, potentially extending savings to RAM & DRAM procurement despite supply constraints.
Nightography Enhancements: Tied to New Camera Hardware
The camera upgrades, particularly Nightography, represent a mix of hardware & software, but the core improvements are proprietary to the S26’s sensors. Building on prior iterations—absent from the Flip 6 but present on models like the Flip 7— the S26 version enhances low-light performance with up to 47% brighter wide-lens captures & 37% on telephoto, reducing noise & sharpening details. Video benefits from tailored noise reduction per sensor & Super Steady stabilisation with horizontal lock for fluid motion. These rely on the ProVisual Engine & upgraded apertures, making full implementation exclusive to the new lineup. While software elements might trickle to older devices, the hardware-driven gains position this as a highlight, potentially transformative for dim environments.
Galaxy AI & One UI 8.5: Proprietary vs Update-Accessible Features
A significant portion of the event focused on Galaxy AI’s third generation & One UI 8.5, with a clear delineation between hardware-exclusive elements & software updates available to eligible devices. Proprietary to the S26 series are optimised AI tools like advanced video b-roll generation on the Ultra, deeper Smart Call Assistant for spam detection & certain notification systems leveraging the new chipset. The Privacy Display’s AI integrations, such as automatic activation based on app context or environment, also remain hardware-bound.
In contrast, most advancements are software-based & will roll out via One UI 8.5, based on Android 16, to a wide array of current Galaxy devices. For users with eligible handsets, this means accessing key features showcased at Unpacked without purchasing the S26 series. The table below lists all features highlighted during the event, indicating availability on the S26 lineup & on prior eligible devices via updates.
| Feature | Available on S26 Lineup? | Available on Prior Eligible Devices? |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy Display | Yes (Ultra only) | No |
| 60W Wired Charging | Yes (Ultra only) | No |
| Slimmer Design with Superior Thermal Management | Yes (Ultra only) | No |
| Enhanced Nightography (Hardware Improvements: Brighter Captures, Sensor-Specific Noise Reduction) | Yes | No |
| Advanced Video B-Roll Generation | Yes (Ultra only) | No |
| Deeper Smart Call Assistant for Spam Detection | Yes | No |
| Now Nudge (Proactive Reminders) | Yes | Yes |
| Now Brief (Quick Summaries) | Yes | Yes |
| Conversational Bixby | Yes | Yes |
| Perplexity Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Refreshed App Designs (3D Icons, Smoother Animations) | Yes | Yes |
| Customisable Quick Panel (Rearrangeable Toggles & Sliders) | Yes | Yes |
| Enhanced Lock Screen Widgets (More Font Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Notification Summaries | Yes | Yes |
| Storage Share (Cross-Device File Management) | Yes | Yes |
| Quick Share Suggestions | Yes | Yes |
| Auracast Audio Sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Continuous Gallery Image Generation | Yes | Yes |
| Time Zone Converter in Clock App | Yes | Yes |
Eligible devices for One UI 8.5 encompass a broad range, based on Samsung’s update policy:
- Galaxy S series: S25 (all variants), S24 (all), S23 (all), S22 (all), S21 FE.
- Galaxy Z series: Z Fold 7, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 7, Z Flip 6, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4.
- Galaxy Tab series: Tab S10 (all), Tab S9 (all), Tab S8 (all).
- Galaxy A series: A73, A56, A55, A54, A53, A36, A35, A34, A33, A26, A25, A24, A16, A15, A06.
- Galaxy M & F series: M56, M55s, M55, M54, M34, M53, M33, M16; F56, F55, F54, F34, F16, F15, F06.
- Other: Rugged devices like XCover series from recent generations.
Rollout begins with the S25 series post-S26 launch, extending to others in Q1-Q2 2026. For Flip 6 owners like myself, this means access to most AI & UI refinements without hardware upgrades, diminishing the S26’s appeal.
Galaxy Buds4 Series: New Audio Accessories
Samsung introduced the Galaxy Buds4 & Buds4 Pro, standalone products not reliant on software updates. Priced at $249.99 & $329.99 respectively, they feature a two-way speaker system with woofers & tweeters for balanced sound, AI-adjusted profiles, gesture controls & ultra-wideband connectivity. Ergonomics support extended wear, with seamless integration across Galaxy devices. These represent solid iterations, though lacking novelty. Personally, I don’t think anything could make me upgrade to the Galaxy Buds4. The Buds3 I got for free with my Flip 6 gave me terrible headaches, though I can’t figure out why. All I can say is, turning on active noise cancelling made the issue even worse. No other ear buds have ever done this to me. But that coupled with the ill-fitting nature causing them to always fall out led me to simply sell them on the secondary market then buy a much cheaper pair from Daiso which I am much happier with & I got to pocket the significant difference in price.
Additional Ecosystem Notes
Brief mentions included the Galaxy Book6 laptops with Intel Core Ultra processors & AI integration, enhancing cross-device functionality. These align with Samsung’s broader ecosystem but add little urgency for upgrades.
Why the S26 Falls Short—& Anticipation for the Galaxy Z Flip 8
The Unpacked event reinforced Samsung’s focus on privacy, efficiency & intuitive tech, yet the proprietary hardware failed to compel a switch from my two-year-old Flip 6. Price stability amid the RAM shortage is commendable, possibly aided by silver supply strategies, but the lack of green colours & rehashed AI layers render the lineup lacklustre. One UI 8.5’s widespread availability further reduces the incentive.
My optimism lies with the Galaxy Z Flip 8, anticipated for July or August 2026. Rumours point to a slimmer design, Exynos 2600 or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, larger displays, triple cameras & expanded batteries in potential Ultra variants. If it incorporates enhanced Nightography & a green option, alongside fresh foldable innovations, it could warrant an upgrade for me. For now, I will observe developments closely & keep you updated.
Samsung, if you’re reading this, don’t forget to remove AppCloud from every device in every region.
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