Everything Samsung announced at Unpacked this week: Galaxy S26 Ultra, Privacy Display, Buds 4 Pro
The new flagship lineup features a specialized Privacy Display and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
Samsung's first major event of 2026, Unpacked, showcased the next generation of its flagship Galaxy S series. The headlining Galaxy S26 lineup, including the S26 Ultra, S26 Plus, and standard S26, features larger displays with thinner bezels and is powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The Ultra model specifically introduces two major hardware upgrades: 60W wired charging for significantly faster power-ups and a specialized Privacy Display designed to limit screen visibility to onlookers. Accompanying the phones are the new Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro earbuds and the OneUI 8.5 software.
The technical leap is anchored by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which promises substantial performance and efficiency gains. The S26 Ultra's Privacy Display uses a combination of hardware and software to prevent shoulder surfing, a feature highlighted as a key differentiator. The new Galaxy Buds 4 Pro support ultra-wideband (UWB) for more precise device finding and introduce gesture controls for touch-free interactions. OneUI 8.5 focuses on refining core user experiences with improved notification management and more capable Bixby interactions, signaling Samsung's continued investment in its AI assistant ecosystem. Pre-orders for the devices are now live with various carrier and retailer deals available.
- Galaxy S26 Ultra features a new Privacy Display and 60W fast charging, a first for the series.
- Entire S26 lineup powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset with larger, thinner-bezel displays.
- Galaxy Buds 4 Pro launched with ultra-wideband support and gesture controls, paired with OneUI 8.5 software.
Why It Matters
Samsung sets the 2026 flagship standard with enhanced privacy hardware, much faster charging, and improved AI integration.