With the usual fanfare and just a few days before the start of the Mobile World Congress, Samsung has presented the new generation of its most pampered smartphone. The Galaxy S26 arrives with improvements in the photographic section and in the use of artificial intelligence. Although there are two specific features that stand out the most: an AI filter that responds to calls from strangers, whether spam or not, and a privacy mode that darkens the screen to hide it from prying eyes over your shoulder.
The presentation of the Galaxy S26 has been delayed compared to other years. This time the company has chosen a date closer to the MWC and thus, in the process, moved away from the launch of its first triple folding. It was announced in December, but in the United States it hit stores at the end of January. If the S26 had been brought forward, both devices would have gone on sale almost at the same time, with the consequent risk of cannibalization between them.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 arrives in the classic three models: the basic one, the S26 Plus and the S26 Ultra. It has a more rounded look than the previous generation, but there are no major design changes. In the basic model the screen grows minimally to 6.3 inches, while the two versions maintain their dimensions: 6.7 inches for the S26 Plus and 6.9 inches for the Ultra.
The S26 Ultra’s camera has a lens with a larger aperture, f/1.4 on the main 200-megapixel sensor, which allows for more detail in low-light environments. The sensor of its 50 megapixel telephoto lens has an f/2.9, capable of capturing more light with a night zoom. The basic and S26 Plus models have 50 megapixel sensors with f/1.8 and the 12 megapixel ultra wide angle at f/2.2. Although the main novelties in the photographic aspect are linked to intelligent editing.
When modifying photos, the new terminals allow you to enter elements or merge images from the gallery app. A simple text instruction is enough. The AI model behind it is the popular Nano Banana, from Google. This way, it will not be necessary to resort to an external image generator to carry out substantial modifications. Of course, Samsung maintains some rules to avoid abuses in the creation of content: it does not allow the introduction of elements of violence or nudity and it does not allow modifying people’s faces.
The top model has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, optimized for operation in Samsung devices. It works with 12 or 16 GB of RAM, depending on the version, and its 5,000 mAh battery charges at 60W. In 30 minutes 75% of capacity can be reached. Its weight and thickness decrease slightly. They are 214 grams and 7.9 millimeters.
Galaxy S26 seeks to use AI without realizing it
With the Galaxy S26, Samsung wanted to make it easier for users to use AI on their device. This translates into functionalities that include artificial intelligence almost without the user realizing that this technology plays a role. This happens with the AI call filter, which answers calls from unknown numbers.
They don’t need to be on a spam list. Only if the number is not in the user’s phonebook or the user has never picked up a call with that origin, a synthetic voice appears. After notifying that the call will be recorded and that it is an artificial assistant, ask the interlocutor to say their name and the reason for the call.
The user, who has missed the call, will see a notification on the screen with the name of the caller and their motivations, summarized in a short sentence. AI, which understands natural language, is capable of processing what the interlocutor says and extracting the most important information it has received. When the user sees the notification, they decide whether to answer the call, hang up or press the ‘I’ll call later’ option. It’s a way to save hassle without missing out on opportunities at a time when spam calls have skyrocketed.
The Galaxy S26 features another almost unnoticed use of AI. This is the ‘Now Nudge’ feature, which offers shortcuts to the user to complete certain actions. If a friend asks you via WhatsApp to send them photos of the last trip you both took to London, the smartphone identifies those images in the gallery. Next, it suggests them in miniature in the WhatsApp chat, so that the user can send them without searching for them. Or when talking to someone who suggests meeting on Thursday at six in the afternoon, the AI will check the calendar without being asked by anyone and, if a work meeting was included in that space, it will indicate it to the user.
They are small aids that are integrated into the normal use that a smartphone user makes. The Galaxy S26, whose AI is mainly based on Gemini and Samsung’s assistant Bixby, also supports other models. It also integrates Perplexity, specialized in searches, which in this case has been designed to find what the user wants, both on the Internet and in the device’s functions.
Although on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, one of the features that stands out the most is not related to AI. It is hardware-based and provides a private way to use the device in environments where other people are present. It is designed for when we touch our mobile phone and watch content on public transport. Maybe we don’t care if others see the news we read or the videos on our social networks. Or maybe yes. But what no one wants is for others to see what your banking app says or look over your shoulder at what you write in a work email.
To avoid this, the S26 Ultra has a display panel that allows you to change the light beam of the pixels. Instead of projecting towards the front, a position that allows the mobile to be seen from anywhere, the light rotates a few degrees in a calculated manner. This way, only whoever is right in front of the screen can see it. If viewed from the sides, obliquely, the panel is only obscured.
Along with its new smartphones, Samsung has also presented its new headphones, the Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro, with improved active noise cancellation and a larger woofer speaker. All devices can be reserved now. The arrival date in stores will be March 11 for smartphones and headphones. The Galaxy S26 will be sold starting at 999 euros, with a configuration of 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, while the S26 Plus will be available starting at 1,249 euros, for the version with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of capacity. The top model, Galaxy S26 Ultra, can be purchased starting at 1,449 euros, with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.
