Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy S26 series at the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco. The company introduced three models during the presentation. These devices include the Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S26+ and the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung integrates Galaxy AI into the core functions of these smartphones. The series prioritises user privacy and productivity through hardware and software. The company focuses on the intersection of performance and intuitive experiences.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. This screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate for fluid movement. It also includes a peak brightness of 2600 nits.
  
The Galaxy S26 series (from left) Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26
Samsung uses Gorilla Armor 2 for screen protection on the Ultra model. The device houses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy. This processor delivers a 19 per cent increase in CPU performance.
The NPU performance sees a 39 per cent improvement over previous models. GPU capabilities increase by 24 per cent for gaming and visuals. Samsung redesigned the vapour chamber to manage heat during heavy tasks.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra incorporates the world’s first integrated Privacy Display. This hardware feature restricts screen visibility from side angles. It ensures that only the user sees the content on the screen.
The camera system on the Ultra model includes a 200MP main sensor. This sensor captures 47 per cent more light than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It also features a 50MP periscope lens with 5x optical zoom.
The quad-camera setup provides a 50MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP telephoto lens. Users can record video in 8K resolution at 30 frames per second. The front-facing camera uses a 12MP sensor for calls and photos.
Samsung commit to seven years of operating system updates for the series. The devices run on One UI 8.5 based on Android 16. This software includes the Now Nudge feature for contextual suggestions.
Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics
The standard Galaxy S26 model features a 6.3-inch display. This device uses the Exynos 2600 processor in most regions. The chip utilises a 2nm fabrication process for efficiency.
The Galaxy S26+ offers a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ screen. This model also runs on the Exynos 2600 chipset. Both devices include 12GB of RAM as the base configuration.
Battery capacities vary across the three different models in the series. The Galaxy S26 houses a 4,300mAh battery for daily use. The Galaxy S26+ increases this capacity to 4,900mAh for users.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra contains a 5,000mAh battery for extended performance. Samsung introduces 60W wired fast charging for the Ultra model. This technology charges the device to 75 per cent in 30 minutes.
The other two models support 25W wired charging speeds. All three devices offer wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. The series maintains an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
Galaxy AI provides tools for photo and video editing through Photo Assist. Users describe changes in natural language to modify images. The system can remove objects or change outfits in photographs.
Samsung partnered with Perplexity to integrate a chatbot into the system. Bixby also receives updates to handle complex requests from users. These tools aim to reduce the mental load for the user.
The company stated: “The Galaxy S26 series featuring our most intuitive Galaxy AI ever is designed to reduce the mental load people carry daily, with hardware and AI working together so tasks are handled in the background while privacy stays protected at every level.”
Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 for all models. The devices support NFC for mobile payments via Samsung Wallet. Users can access GPS, Glonass and Galileo for location services.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra includes the S Pen for productivity tasks. This tool fits into a dedicated slot within the titanium frame. It allows for note-taking and precise editing on the large screen.
Australian Market Release and Pricing Structures
Samsung started pre-orders for the Galaxy S26 series in Australia on February 26, 2026. The official release in global markets occurs on March 11, 2026. Customers can choose from several colour options for each model.
The standard colours include Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue. Samsung also offers Pink Gold and Silver Shadow as online exclusives. These exclusive finishes are available through the official website.
In Australia, the Galaxy S26 starts at a price of $1549. This price applies to the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. The 512GB model carries the same price for a limited time.
The Galaxy S26+ has a starting price of $1,849 in Australia. This model provides 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Samsung offers a storage upgrade at no extra cost during pre-orders.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra begins at $2,199 for the base model. This configuration includes 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The 512GB variant costs $2,499 for Australian consumers.
The top-tier 16GB RAM and 1TB storage model costs $2,949. Colour options for the series include Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue. Samsung offers Pink Gold and Silver Shadow exclusively on the official Australian website. These finishes provide variety for the selection of the hardware.
Galaxy S26 Pink Gold and Silver Shadow
Telstra offers a discount of $700 on the Galaxy S26 Ultra for customers. This offer requires a plan for a period of 12, 24 or 36 months. Customers also receive a credit of $300 for the trade-in of eligible devices.
Optus provides a discount of $500 for the Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy S26+. This promotion applies to users who stay on a plan for 24 months. The company allows pre-orders until April 8, 2026, for this specific offer.
Vodafone reduces the price of the Ultra by $700 for pre-order customers. This deal includes a bonus credit of $300 for the trade-in of a phone. The discount appears as a credit on the monthly bills of the user.
JB Hi-Fi offers a discount of $1,800 on the Galaxy S26 Ultra with plans. This requires a 24-month contract on a plan costing $99 per month. The retailer also provides discounts on the Galaxy Buds 4 for customers.
Harvey Norman includes a storage upgrade for customers who pre-order the series. This means the 512GB model costs the same as the 256GB model. The retailer stocks all colour options, including Cobalt Violet and Sky Blue.
Samsung Australia offers a storage upgrade worth $300 during the pre-order phase. Users pay with PayPal to receive an additional discount of $50 on the total. This promotion applies to the entire cart at the time of checkout.
Samsung emphasises the use of sustainable materials in the manufacturing process. The series incorporates recycled plastics and glass in the components. The packaging also uses 100 per cent recycled paper products.
The Galaxy S26 series represents a focus on integration and refinement. Samsung combines hardware power with software intelligence for the user. The series competes in the premium segment of the market.
We expect strong demand for the Privacy Display on the Ultra. This feature targets business professionals and privacy-conscious individuals. The series sets a benchmark for AI integration in 2026.
