The Galaxy S26 is a photography nightmare

Samsung officially unveiled its Galaxy S26 lineup during the Galaxy Unpacked event held on February 25, 2026, in San Francisco. The new series includes the standard Galaxy S26, the larger S26 Plus, and the high-end S26 Ultra. Pricing for the devices starts at $899.99 for the base S26, $1,099.99 for the S26 Plus, and $1,299.99 for the S26 Ultra. Preorders for these devices are currently open, and they are set to ship on March 11, 2026 (The Verge, Engadget). The design of the Galaxy S26 series is largely similar to the previous year's S25 models, with the primary changes being software-related. The S26 Ultra features a new Privacy Display that can black out sensitive content based on the viewing angle. The base models, S26 and S26 Plus, primarily offer software updates rather than significant hardware changes. Notable software enhancements include the Audio Eraser feature, which improves voice clarity in third-party apps, and the integration of Google's Gemini AI for more interactive assistance (The Verge). While the Galaxy S26 series incorporates several notable software advancements and a new privacy feature in the Ultra model, some reviews have criticized the lineup for lacking ambition and fresh features. The overall impression is that the devices feel somewhat bland compared to previous iterations (Wired). The S26 Ultra has returned to an aluminum frame after using titanium in the last two models, which Samsung claims allows for better color matching with the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 panels (Engadget). In addition to the smartphones, Samsung is expected to introduce other products, including a new pair of earbuds and wearables, during the Unpacked event. The company has also offered promotional credits for customers reserving a Galaxy S26 phone ahead of the launch (The Verge).