Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked is almost here, and if leaks are to be believed, the Galaxy S26 series won’t be just a regular refresh. Between the hardware changes, the redesigned One UI, upgraded earbuds, and the heavy AI push, there’s a lot on deck.
Here’s everything to expect ahead of Galaxy Unpacked 2026 on February 25 at 1pm ET. We’ll be covering the event live, and you can watch along with our partners at Mashable and CNET during the show.
Galaxy S26 Lineup: Base, Plus, Ultra – and Maybe More?
Despite earlier rumors of changes, Samsung is now expected to stick with a familiar trio: the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. The report states that the base model will be rebranded as “Pro” and the Plus will be eliminated, citing a return to the traditional naming scheme if coverage has failed.
Leaker Evan Blass recently posted possible color options for the X, including:
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Black
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white
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silver shadow
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sky blue
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cobalt violet
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rose gold
Samsung Galaxy S26 is almost here: possible specifications, colors and release date
As far as specs go, the S26 series is rumored to run on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, with some regions potentially getting an Exynos variant. RAM can reach up to 16 GB in all models and the battery is where things can get more interesting. The S26 Ultra is rumored to have a 5,500mAh battery, which is 10 percent larger than its predecessor.
Camera rumors are mixed. The Ultra may retain the 200MP main sensor (possibly upgraded), while the base and Plus models may once again stick with a 50MP + 12MP + 10MP triple-lens setup.
As for the already rumored S26 Edge? Its fate remains unclear, with reports suggesting it may be delayed or quietly scrapped.
Galaxy S26 is leaking like a tap
Credits: Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/Sahil Karaul
If you can’t wait a day, tech YouTuber Sahil Karol appears to have secured the Galaxy S26 Ultra in Dubai ahead of its official launch, as we reported earlier today. So, if you want to get an early possible look at the phone, check out the full video. The rumored Galaxy Buds 4 have also been the subject of a steady stream of leaks recently (more on that soon).
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Galaxy AI Features
If there’s any throughline running through Galaxy Unpacked, it’s AI. Reports suggest Samsung is expanding Galaxy AI in a big way, potentially including an AI-powered notification summary tool that summarizes 24-hour alerts into a quick digest using its Gauss model.
There are also rumors of deeper third-party integration, including a possible deal to preload Perplexity on the S26, which could reshape the way Samsung handles browser and virtual assistant search.
Samsung unveils new AI image editor for upcoming Galaxy S26 phones
On the creative side, advanced Photo Assist tools and generative image features will allow users to edit and create scenes more intuitively, within a more integrated AI editing experience. (New AI photo features were recently confirmed by Samsung.) Whether this actually translates into smart software or just more AI branding will become clear once Unpacked debuts.
Privacy Display and One UI 8.5
The S26 lineup is expected to debut with One UI 8.5, which Mashable previously reported would offer a significant visual refresh and new features.
One of the most talked-about additions is “Privacy Display”, a built-in screen mode that mimics a frosted screen protector to deter shoulder surfers. There are also rumors of more transparent UI elements inspired by Apple’s liquid glass aesthetic. In January, leaker Ice Universe posted an old video that showed a version of the privacy display on a prototype device.
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See the Samsung Galaxy S26’s Privacy Display feature in action
On the AI front, Tom’s Guide reports that One UI 8.5 may introduce an AI-powered notification summary tool using Samsung’s Gauss AI model.
The feature will reportedly condense 24-hour alerts into a digestible overview and will support multiple languages at launch.
galaxy buds 4
Samsung is also expected to unveil the Galaxy Buds 4 series along with the S26 phones.
According to Android Authority, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro may support head gestures, allowing users to move their head to answer calls or dismiss notifications. The earbuds can also act as a remote shutter for the camera app – pinch and hold to take a photo.
Another rumor added: Double-tapping the pairing button on the case triggered a “Find My Phone” feature.
Subject
Samsung Samsung Unpacked
