Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event has delivered yet another refresh to their flagship Galaxy S series. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, Plus, and Base models were officially unveiled alongside new Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which brings several iterative but meaningful upgrades. Here’s everything we learned from the first look.

Slimmer, Lighter Design

One of the first improvements users will immediately notice is the design. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is now slimmer and lighter compared to its predecessor. At just 7.99mm thick (down from 8.2mm) and with a weight reduction of 5-8 grams, the S26 Ultra offers a more comfortable in-hand feel. The device also introduces more curves to the previously boxy design, adding a sleek and modern aesthetic while retaining the signature S Pen for productivity enthusiasts.

Displays: Privacy, Brightness, and Bit Depth Advancements

The centerpiece of the S26 Ultra is its new 6.9-inch QHD+ display. This M14 AMOLED panel reaches an impressive 2600 nits in High Brightness Mode (HBM), ensuring visibility in even the brightest conditions. The Ultra also introduces 10-bit color depth for the first time, enabling richer and more vibrant visuals compared to the 8-bit panels used in the Base and Plus models.

What truly sets the Ultra apart is its "privacy display" feature. Far from the old-school privacy screen protectors, this feature provides granular, app-specific settings. Users can activate pixel-level privacy for apps like Instagram or hide sensitive notifications entirely. This introduces a new level of on-screen security that no other flagship currently offers. Notably, the privacy display functionality is exclusive to the Ultra model.

Performance: Next-Gen Chipsets and Custom Variants

Under the hood, the Galaxy S26 Ultra runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 "for Galaxy" chipset, while its Base and Plus counterparts are powered by the world’s first 2nm Exynos 2600. Samsung is sticking with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, with configurations ranging from 12GB RAM and 256GB storage to an impressive 16GB/1TB duo. These chipsets bring improved power efficiency, which makes the device feel snappier while still maintaining its robust battery performance.

Camera Enhancements: Focusing on Low Light and Compression

In terms of optics, the S26 Ultra boasts a 200MP primary lens, a 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, another 50MP lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom. While the Ultra still supports 100x Space Zoom, Samsung claims enhanced low-light performance thanks to a wider f/1.4 aperture on the primary sensor. Smaller aperture improvements have also been made on the telephoto setup to deliver better clarity in dim conditions.

Samsung is also introducing the APV codec for video recording. This open-source codec reduces video file sizes by up to 20%, which will be especially handy for users shooting in high-resolution formats like 8K and 4K. Additional video features include horizontal lock for stabilized footage and 4K auto-framing, where the phone crops and centers subjects automatically during 8K recording.

Agentic AI: Smarter One UI 8.5 Features

One of the standout software features in the S26 series is One UI 8.5, which introduces "Agentic AI." Unlike reactive AI systems that respond only after user actions, Agentic AI is designed to proactively assist based on context. For example, if you’ve taken photos at a specific event, the AI will suggest sharing those images when you open a messaging app. The OS also includes an improved Audio Eraser feature, expanded call screening capabilities, and a renewed focus on privacy with on-device processing options.

This proactive intelligence extends to Samsung’s "Photo Assist" and "Creative Studio" tools, offering users innovative ways to edit images and videos with prompts and automation, further enhancing usability.

Charging and Battery: Incremental Changes

The S26 Ultra retains the same battery capacity as the S25 Ultra but introduces 60W wired charging, marking a notable upgrade from its predecessor’s 45W limit. The Plus and Base models are equipped with 45W and 25W wired charging, respectively. All three models support wireless charging, with capacities ranging from 15W to 25W depending on the variant.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro

Alongside the S26 series, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro. These earbuds feature improved sound quality, larger drivers for enhanced bass, new touch gestures, and a more premium design using metal materials. With an impending review on the horizon, Samsung promises a significant upgrade for audio enthusiasts.

Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra Worth It?

Samsung’s latest flagship doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but its incremental upgrades refine the overall experience. From a slimmer design and brighter display to Agentic AI and better charging speeds, the S26 Ultra caters to tech enthusiasts who value both innovation and reliability.

While the privacy display and Agentic AI features are highlights, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s biggest challenge will be differentiating itself in a crowded market where iterative updates are becoming standard. For S25 Ultra users, the upgrades might not justify an upgrade, but for current owners of older models, the S26 Ultra offers plenty of reasons to consider the switch.

Stay tuned for in-depth reviews as Samsung begins shipping the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Plus, and Base models.