Samsung Unveils the Galaxy S26 Series: The Next Era of Agentic AI

Samsung Electronics has officially launched the Galaxy S26 series – Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, marking its third generation of AI-integrated smartphones. Designed to be “proactive and adaptive,” the series aims to eliminate the complexity of mobile tasks by handling technical processes in the background. The flagship S26 Ultra leads the lineup with a slimmer design, a customized chipset, and a first-of-its-kind Privacy Display.

“We believe AI should be something people can depend on every day, designed to work consistently for everyone and without the need for expertise,” said TM Roh, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “With the Galaxy S26 series, we focused on making AI feel effortless, working quietly in the background so people can focus on what matters.”

Unmatched Performance and Thermal Efficiency

The Galaxy S26 series is built on the most powerful hardware in Galaxy history. The S26 Ultra features the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, delivering a 19% boost in CPU speed, a 24% increase in GPU performance, and a 39% faster NPU for seamless AI processing.

To maintain this power, Samsung introduced a redesigned Vapor Chamber with side-positioned thermal materials for superior heat dissipation. Additionally, Super-Fast Charging 3.0 allows the Ultra to reach a 75% charge in just 30 minutes, ensuring the device keeps up with demanding professional and gaming needs.

Samsung’s integrated processor technologies significantly elevate visual quality. The new ProScaler sharpens fine details and text while smoothing out textures, ensuring images and videos look crisp at any size. Furthermore, the mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) offers four times the processing precision of previous models, resulting in more nuanced, lifelike colors. Combined, these innovations ensure the device remains fast and fluid, making daily use feel completely seamless.

Professional-Grade Camera and AI Creativity

The Galaxy S26 series extends its intuitive design to the realms of productivity and content creation via an industry-leading camera system. By merging capture, editing, and sharing into one cohesive workflow, Samsung makes high-end creativity accessible to everyone. This integrated approach ensures that users can produce professional-quality results without needing specialized technical expertise.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra enhances mobile photography with wider apertures for superior low-light performance and upgraded Nightography Video. It is the first Galaxy device to support APV, a professional video codec for high-quality production.

Creativity is simplified through the Photo Assist suite, which allows users to edit images using natural language prompts—such as changing the time of day or even modifying outfits. The new Creative Studio provides a unified space to turn sketches and prompts into polished visuals, while Document Scan automatically removes creases and distractions from digital captures.

An Intuitive, Proactive AI Experience

The Galaxy S26 series prioritizes a user-friendly experience by using Galaxy AI to bridge the gap between intent and execution. By analyzing context, the AI proactively automates routine tasks and provides timely support with minimal user input. This “background-first” approach allows the technology to handle the heavy lifting quietly, leaving users free to focus entirely on their goals.

Galaxy AI now works more “agentically,” anticipating user needs through features like:

• Now Nudge: Suggests relevant photos or checks calendar conflicts based on incoming messages.
• Enhanced Circle to Search: Now identifies multiple objects within a single image simultaneously.
• Integrated AI Agents: Users can choose between Bixby, Gemini, and Perplexity to handle multi-step tasks—like booking a taxi—through simple voice commands.

Industry-Leading Privacy and Security

The Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces the Privacy Display, a hardware-level innovation that limits side-angle visibility in public spaces without degrading the user’s direct viewing quality. On the software side, Privacy Alerts notify users when apps attempt to access sensitive data, and Private Album allows for easy hiding of content within the Gallery.

The series is protected by Samsung Knox and features post-quantum cryptography to secure system processes. Samsung has committed to seven years of security updates to ensure long-term device resilience.

Pre-Order and Availability

The Galaxy S26 series is available for pre-order from 26 February to 10 March 2026. Early buyers can access rewards worth up to RM1,200, including double storage and bank rebates. Samsung also offers a “Galaxy Forever” trade-in program with savings up to RM4,000 and 0% interest installment plans for up to 36 months.

For extra security, Samsung Care+ provides a tailored protection plan designed around the user’s specific needs. This comprehensive service includes rapid repairs for accidental damage, an extended warranty period, and access to certified technical experts globally. By ensuring a worry-free mobile experience, Samsung Care+ offers long-term protection that maintains the overall value of the Galaxy device.

Pre-order can be done through Samsung’s official website or stay tuned for DirectD’s exclusive offers! 

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