Samsung Unpacked 2026: What We Expect to See in the Latest Samsung Phones

Android users and Samsung smartphone fans are gearing up for the company’s flagship launch event of the year: Samsung Unpacked. 

For the 2026 event, we have an exciting mix of confirmed details straight from Samsung’s recent teasers, credible leaks from reputable tech insiders, historical release patterns, and some informed speculation. 

Whether you are a dedicated Galaxy fan, a Pixel or iPhone user looking to jump ship, or a strategic shopper deciding whether or not to ditch your old device and upgrade, this guide will break down exactly what to expect from Samsung Unpacked 2026.

What Is Samsung Unpacked?

Samsung Unpacked is the company’s premier, globally livestreamed event format where they pull back the curtain on their most highly anticipated products. 

It features high-production product reveals, deep dives into new software features, and hands-on demos.

Historically, this early-year event is when the new Galaxy S devices debut. For the 2026 edition, more will be revealed about the highly anticipated Galaxy S26. 

Samsung Unpacked 2026 — Event Details

You don't want to miss the reveal as it happens. Here is how to tune in and watch live with Samsung fans around the world. 

Date, Time & Location

• Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
• Time: 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET
• Location: San Francisco, California

While the physical event takes place in San Francisco, hundreds of thousands of Samsung fans will tune into the livestream to watch the announcements unfold in real-time.

How to Watch the Livestream

The event will be broadcast live directly on Samsung.com and Samsung’s official YouTube channel. 

You can reserve your “seat” on the company’s website so you’re notified when livestream is starting.

Expected Stars of Unpacked 2026

The spotlight will undoubtedly be on the new Galaxy S26 series of smartphones, but Samsung loves to show off its broader product offerings at this event. Here is the hardware we expect to see.

Galaxy S26 Series (S26, S26+, S26 Ultra)

The core lineup is rumored to follow Samsung's successful three-tier strategy: the base Galaxy S26, the larger Galaxy S26+, and the premium Galaxy S26 Ultra.

• Base & Plus Models: This is perfect for Android and Galaxy users looking to upgrade to a phone with better performance, a more powerful camera, and a sleeker design without breaking the bank.
• Ultra Model: The Galaxy Ultra models are best for power users and creatives who want the absolute peak of mobile technology within an Android OS, featuring the largest screen, the best cameras, and the integrated S-Pen.

Possible New Accessories

Samsung Unpacked will likely reveal more details about Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. 

Expected upgrades for Samsung's premiere earbuds line include a slight redesign with a flatter stem and new case, along with feature updates such as head gesture controls. 

The fourth iteration of the Galaxy Buds series could potentially feature better spatial audio to better compete with giants like Apple’s Airpods.  

Other Potential Devices

While Unpacked is usually phone-centric, rumors occasionally hint at surprise appearances. 

We could see teasers for upcoming wearables like the Galaxy Ring's next iteration or updates to the Galaxy Tab lineup, though tablets often get their own dedicated events later in the year.

What We Expect with the Galaxy S26 Lineup

Hardware refinement is the name of the game this year. Here are the major changes anticipated for the new Galaxy S26 lineup.

Design & Display Enhancements

• Display Tech: Rumors point to refined M14 OLED panels, which are expected to push peak brightness to a blinding 3,000 nits while being more power-efficient.
• Design Tweaks: Think glow-up, not a whole new face. The Ultra model will likely feature slightly softer, more rounded corners compared to the sharp edges of the S25 Ultra, making it more comfortable to hold. Thinner bezels across the board are also highly anticipated.

Performance & Chipset Upgrades

• Processor: The S26 series is heavily rumored to feature the powerhouse Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset in the U.S. and select international markets.
• Efficiency: Expect a noticeable bump in raw speed and better thermal management, meaning your phone stays cooler during intense gaming or 4K video recording.

Camera Improvements

• Refinement Not Overhaul: Rather than fundamentally changing the megapixel counts, rumors suggest Samsung is tweaking the camera sensors on the S26 models.
• Low-light Leaps: The S26 Ultra's 200 megapixel main sensor is rumored to get a wider f/1.4 aperture. This allows significantly more light into the lens, which means brighter, crisper night photography and better AI-assisted portrait modes.

Battery & Charging Expectations

Could this be the year that the Galaxy moves to 60-watt wired charging? 

Rumors suggest that may be the case, drastically reducing the time you spend tethered to the wall.

Galaxy AI - Samsung’s New Focus

Like most giants in the tech industry, Samsung is doubling down on artificial intelligence, treating it as a core pillar of the Galaxy experience.

Samsung has directly teased that the S26 series will launch alongside One UI 8.5, featuring a vastly upgraded Bixby assistant that can understand natural language and execute complex, multi-step device settings. 

Samsung has also teased advanced image-editing tricks, like replacing missing parts of an image or natively merging multiple photos.

Privacy Display

Samsung has officially teased a highly anticipated Privacy Screen feature, likely exclusive to the S26 Ultra. 

This "zero-peeking" technology uses AI to essentially black out your screen to anyone looking at it from a side angle. 

If you are typing in a passcode or viewing a sensitive work email on a crowded train, you will see the screen perfectly, but the person next to you will just see a blank screen.

What AI Could Mean for Everyday Use

The Galaxy S26 will likely expand on and improve AI features enabled on past phones like the S25, including the ability to remove photobombing strangers in pictures and having your phone automatically detect and offer to blur sensitive information like your address. 

Strategically, Samsung is using these highly practical, built-in tools to aggressively compete with Apple Intelligence and Google Pixel’s Magic Cue.

New and Rumored Features to Watch

In addition to the standard spec bumps and the introduction of Privacy Display, there are a few additional standout features generating massive buzz ahead of the Galaxy S26 series reveal.

Wireless & Charging Innovations

There are widespread rumors about Qi2 wireless charging support, which would bring magnetic attachment capabilities — similar to Apple’s MagSafe — to the Galaxy lineup. 

However, rumors suggest Samsung may have left the magnets out of the internal hardware of the phone itself due to interference with the S-Pen, meaning you might need an official magnetic case to get the full snap-on effect.

Software + One UI Changes

The phones will launch with Android 16 and Samsung’s One UI 8.5 out of the box. Expect smoother animations, tighter ecosystem syncing with Windows PCs, and highly customizable lock screens.

How to Prepare for Unpacked as a Consumer

Buying the latest high-end phone is a huge decision and a big investment. The base model for the Galaxy S26 is expected to cost between $799 to $899, while the top-end Ultra models could cost around $1,500. 

Here’s what to consider if you’ve been holding out for the S26 release.

• Budget: If you are on a tight budget, the launch of the S26 means the Galaxy S25 and S24 will likely see massive price drops. So if you’re a few models behind, you could still experience a lot of the latest features at a much lower price. 
• Device Age: If you are rocking a Galaxy S23 or older, the leap in battery life, display brightness, and AI features of the S26 will be night and day. If you have an S25, the latest model might feel more like an incremental luxury.

Carrier & Plan Considerations

Don't just buy the phone outright without checking with your provider. Carriers often use Unpacked as an excuse to run aggressive promotions. Upgrading your mobile plan during the pre-order window can often net you massive trade-in credits, sometimes covering the entire cost of the base S26.

What This Means for Competing Phones

The Galaxy S26 is Samsung’s direct answer to the iPhone 17 and the Pixel 10. By pushing hardware limits with a 3,000-nit display and integrating hardware-level features like the Privacy Display, Samsung is forcing Apple and Google to keep up, particularly in the realms of on-device privacy and battery efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Samsung Unpacked 2026? 

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 10 a.m. PT and 1:00 p.m. ET.

What phones will Samsung launch at Unpacked 2026? 

The company is widely expected to launch three flagship smartphones: the Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S26+, and the premium Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Will there be major design changes in the Galaxy S26? 

Rumors point to refinement rather than a massive overhaul. Expect thinner bezels, slightly softer and more rounded corners on the Ultra model, and a flatter overall profile.

How can I watch the Unpacked event live? 

You can watch the livestream globally on Samsung.com and Samsung’s official YouTube channel.

Are there expected AI features in the new Samsung phones? 

Yes. Samsung has already teased advanced AI image-editing capabilities and a massive update to the Bixby voice assistant, allowing it to understand natural language and execute complex settings adjustments.

Should I upgrade from my current Samsung phone? 

If you have a Galaxy S23 or older, upgrading your phone will bring significant improvement in processing power, battery charging speeds, and display brightness. If you have an S24 or S25, it depends on how much you value new features like the S26 Ultra's Privacy Display.