Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Launch Today: How to Watch, Expected Features & Specs

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series, If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your phone, today might be your day. Samsung is all set to pull the curtains off its new Galaxy S26 series at the first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026, and expectations are sky-high. We’re talking about three flagship devices — Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and the top-of-the-line Galaxy S26 Ultra — along with new Galaxy Buds.

Curious about what’s coming, how to watch the event, and whether it’s worth the hype? Let’s break it all down in simple, no-nonsense language.

Galaxy Unpacked 2026: Event Date, Time And Place

Samsung’s big global launch event is happening today, February 25, 2026, in San Francisco, US. This is the company’s first major Galaxy Unpacked event of the year and the global stage for the Galaxy S26 lineup.

The timing is classic Samsung: early in the year, setting the tone for the flagship smartphone market. If you follow tech launches, you know this is their way of firing the first big shot of 2026.

How To Watch The Galaxy S26 Launch Live

You don’t have to be in San Francisco to catch the action. Samsung is streaming the entire Unpacked event live. Here’s how you can tune in:

• Samsung’s official website (samsung.com)

• Samsung’s official YouTube channel

The event starts at 10 a.m. PT, which is 11:30 p.m. IST — so if you’re in India, it’s a late-night tech treat. Just grab your headphones, open YouTube, and you’re in the front row.

What To Expect From The Galaxy S26 Series

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series, Samsung is expected to unveil three main models:

• Galaxy S26 – the standard flagship

• Galaxy S26+ – the bigger sibling with some upgrades

• Galaxy S26 Ultra – the premium powerhouse with all the bells and whistles

These phones will succeed last year’s Galaxy S25 lineup and are rumoured to bring noticeable upgrades in performance, display tech, charging speeds, and even privacy-focused features like an enhanced privacy display. Think of the S26 series as the refined, smarter, and faster evolution of the S25 family.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Design: Familiar Shape, Fresh Details

Among the three, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has been the star of leaks and rumours. Early images suggest that Samsung isn’t messing too much with success:

• Overall body shape reportedly remains similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra

• Flat, boxy design with premium build

• But the rear camera module design seems updated, echoing the style of the Galaxy Z Fold 7

It’s like Samsung kept the same solid frame but gave the camera island a fresh haircut. So expect familiarity in the hand, but with a more modern, polished look at the back.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Display: Bigger, Brighter, Smoother

If you love big, immersive screens, the S26 Ultra will likely feel like a mini cinema in your palm. Leaks point to:

• 6.9‑inch AMOLED display

• 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming

• Peak brightness up to 3,000 nits

What does 3,000 nits really mean for you? In simple terms, it should stay easily visible even under harsh sunlight. Imagine checking WhatsApp on a scorching afternoon without squinting — that’s the idea.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Power

Under the hood, Samsung looks ready to go all‑in on performance. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature:

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset

• Galaxy-optimized tuning for better performance and efficiency

• Up to 16GB of RAM

• Internal storage options going up to 1TB

So whether you’re gaming, shooting 4K videos, editing content, or juggling a dozen apps, the phone should handle it without breaking a sweat. Think of it as having a sports car engine in a polished luxury sedan.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera: Samsung’s Best Yet

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series, the camera makes or breaks the deal. Samsung seems to know that, and the S26 Ultra is rumoured to carry the company’s most advanced camera system so far:

• 200MP primary camera sensor

• 50MP ultra‑wide lens for expansive shots

• 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom

• Additional 10MP shooter for more flexibility (likely for depth or extra zoom capabilities)

In real life, this setup should give you sharp daylight photos, detailed night shots, smoother zoom, and better ultra‑wide images. Whether you’re capturing city skylines or your pet mid‑jump, the S26 Ultra aims to be your pocket DSLR.

Software And AI: One UI 8.5 On Android 16

On the software side, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is believed to ship with:

• One UI 8.5

• Based on Android 16

One UI already focuses on simplicity and ease of use, and paired with Android 16, you can expect tighter integration with Galaxy AI features, better privacy controls, smoother animations, and smarter optimizations. It’s like getting a familiar interface, but with more brains behind it.

Battery And Charging: Faster Than Before

Battery life is always a big concern, especially for power users. Rumours suggest that Samsung is not changing the capacity, but is speeding things up where it matters:

• 5,000mAh battery capacity

• 60W wired fast charging (up from 45W on the S25 Ultra)

• 20W wireless charging support

That jump to 60W wired charging could mean significantly quicker top‑ups. Picture this: plug in your phone while you get ready for work, and by the time you’re done with breakfast, you’ve got enough charge to last the day.

Galaxy S26 And S26+: What About The Non‑Ultra Models?

While most of the leaks revolve around the Ultra, the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+ will likely follow the same overall design language with:

• Slightly smaller displays

• Lower camera resolutions compared to the Ultra

• Slightly less RAM and storage in base variants

These models will probably target users who want a flagship Samsung experience without paying Ultra-level prices. So if you don’t need a 200MP camera or 1TB of storage, the S26 or S26+ might make more practical sense.

Galaxy S26 Series In India: Pre‑Reservation Details

If you’re in India and already eyeing the “Next AI Phone,” Samsung has opened pre‑reservations for the Galaxy S26 series. Here’s how it works:

• Pre‑reservations started on February 11

• You pay a refundable token amount of ₹999

• Pre‑book through multiple channels:

  • Online: Samsung.com, Amazon.in, Flipkart.com

  • Offline: Samsung Exclusive Stores and leading retail outlets

Customers who pre‑reserve will be eligible for exclusive benefits worth ₹2,699 when they make the final purchase. It’s essentially Samsung’s way of rewarding early interest while locking in serious buyers.

Galaxy Buds 4 And Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: More Than Just Phones

It’s not just about phones at this Unpacked event. Samsung is also expected to launch:

• Galaxy Buds 4

• Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

These new true wireless earbuds are tipped to bring:

• A refreshed design

• Upgraded audio and ANC (active noise cancellation)

• New Galaxy AI features baked into the listening experience

Think smarter noise control, more personalized sound, and deeper integration with your Galaxy phone — like a seamless ecosystem where your phone and buds feel like they’re speaking the same language.

Should You Be Excited About The Galaxy S26 Series?

If you’re using an older Galaxy phone or a flagship from a couple of years ago, the S26 lineup is shaping up to be a serious upgrade. With:

• A brighter, smoother display

• A massive camera upgrade on the Ultra

• Faster charging

• New AI‑powered software features

• And ecosystem add‑ons like Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro

Samsung is clearly aiming to stay at the front of the Android flagship race in 2026.

If you like watching big launches, tonight’s Galaxy Unpacked is worth streaming. And if you’re planning to buy, pre‑reserving might give you a small but useful head start in terms of benefits and availability.

Read More: iOS 26.3 Update: Critical Security Fixes, Features & How to Install

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series launch marks a big moment for Samsung’s 2026 lineup. With three powerful phones — S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra — plus the new Galaxy Buds 4 series, Samsung is pushing harder on performance, photography, AI, and ecosystem experience. Whether you’re a power user, a camera enthusiast, or just someone who wants a reliable, future‑ready flagship, the S26 range looks set to offer something seriously compelling.

Now it’s over to the Unpacked event to confirm how many of these leaks and rumours turn into reality.