Samsung Galaxy Unpacked live — Galaxy S26 Ultra and what else to expect

Is it really all about AI

In Samsung's Unpacked teaser video, the most prominent components are a glass cube, the Galaxy AI logo, and "AI". In fact, the takeaway from the short clip is that this event will focus primarily on AI and the Galaxy devices that support it.

We know that Samsung will explain in detail how the Perplexity engine will super-charge Bixby and live alongside Galaxy AI, and Google Gemini. In fact, that could be one of the biggest sections of the entire Unpacked presentation.

There'll be time to walk through whatever is new with the anticipated Galaxy S26 lineup, but since we don't expect any major redesigns or feature changes, AI will be the star.

Is that a good thing? I don't know. Consumers thus far have not shown much, if any, AI fatigue. Plus, Samsung leaning into the strides it has already made in AI – and all it will do next – only puts more pressure on its chief competitor, Apple, which has thus far failed to deliver the promised Siri AI brain transplant (we expect that Gemini upgrade by June, at the latest).

What to wear

Okay, we've established that there probably won't be a new Galaxy Ring at Unpacked, but what about other wearables?

Is it too soon for a new Galaxy Watch, especially after the August 2025 release of the Galaxy Watch8 and Watch8 Classic? Perhaps, though I think a new Galaxy Watch Ultra is a possibility, if only in tease form (meaning we won't see the watch release for months).

Granted, it's a slim possibility, but I have trouble imagining an Unpacked that's nothing but a few excellent Android smartphones.

If Samsung doesn't release anything now, there is a good bet it will announce more new Galaxy Watch models in July or August when we enjoy our second Unpacked (focused presumably on foldables).

Put a ring on it?

It's been a while since Samsung shipped the Galaxy Ring, which we called "the top smart ring for Samsung users." So it stands to reason that we could finally see the Galaxy Ring 2 at Unpacked.

I'm not saying the Ring will get a full unveil. Samsung wouldn't want to steal the S26 line's thunder, after all, but a tease would make sense. Maybe Samsung's own version of "One more thing."

Unfortunately, the rumor mill is not only putting the kabosh on that idea, but there's also the possibility that we'll never see another Galaxy ring. While the wearable fitness and health band enjoyed strong pre-orders, sales may have ultimately fallen flat.

Still, I don't see Samsung walking away from this crucial category. What do you think? Will Samsung take another run at the ring on February 25 or drop it?

Galaxy AI will be a main focus

As we've seen at past Galaxy Unpacked events – particularly with the Fold 7 and the S25 Ultra – Samsung will likely spend a significant amount of time focusing on Galaxy AI. That's its own onboard suite of AI features, both entirely in-house and reflecting Samsung's partnership with other brands, including Google. Remember, 'Circle to Search'?

Mich like tease for the Privacy Display, Samsung's also teased a new partner to help enable some of the AI features on the forthcoming Galaxy devices, we're expecting that to be the Galaxy S26 lineup. Samsung is working with Perplexity to enable many of the Galaxy AI features across the S26 lineup. Perplexity has shared a bit more, noting that its own Sonar API will power the experience and that it's built into the OS framework level on the forthcoming Galaxy S26 devices.

That's a big deal for both Samsung and Perplexity, but what remains to be seen is the exact new experiences, features, and functionality this will power. The good news is we don't have much longer to go, as Samsung Galaxy Unpacked kicks off tomorrow.

While most rumors, reports, and leaks ahead of Galaxy Unpacked suggest the Galaxy S26 lineup won’t feature major design changes, many haven’t ruled out new colors.

For the S25 Ultra, Samsung kept the core four finishes fairly neutral – titanium black or gray, along with silverblue and whitesilver – mostly understated shades with just a subtle pop of color.

If the S26 Ultra ends up looking very similar, fresh finishes would be an easy way for Samsung to make it feel new. And for the standard S26 and S26 Plus, it’s possible Samsung could take a page from Apple’s playbook and offer brighter hues, similar to the iPhone 17.

What about that Privacy display?

Okay, let's get into the Privacy display feature that Samsung is expected to unveil with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It's not a secret. Samsung has been teasing it for weeks and recently released this short YouTube video that basically shows you how it will work.

In the clip, a subway rider is reading some spicy fiction, and other riders are reading over her shoulder, that is, until she enabled the Privacy screen. In the video, it looks like their view of the screen is now black. Samsung calls it "zero-peeking privacy" in the clip, and it's enabled with a virtual slider switch.

If that's how it works and it's really that effective, this built-in privacy screen could be a game-changer. Personally, I can't wait to try it.

We don’t scroll and tell | Samsung - YouTube

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Plugging the leaks

Earlier this week, X user @KaroulSahil revealed an early unboxing of an apparent Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. He's since been posting photo captures with the device. However, one part of his leak has disappeared from his X stream: a reveal of one of the S26 Ultra's most anticipated features: a privacy screen. He showed it off in an X update, but now that the video in that post is blocked by a copyright holder.

In any case, it's not unusual to see these kinds of leaks, especially closer to a big reveal. Samsung is a global company with many global partners and, every once in a while, someone jumps the gun and hands over a pre-release gadget.

No idea if that's what happened here, but Karoul has quite a few images and videos comparing the Galaxy S25 Ultra with the potential upgrade.

If it's real, we like what we see.

Will we see the Edge?

I was at the last Galaxy Unpacked (held in January 2025), where the Samsung Galaxy 25 Edge upstaged the rest of the S25 lineup. The ultra-thin phone was positioned just beyond our reach. The S25 Edge eventually shipped in May, and while we didn't love it, this upcoming Unpacked seems like the perfect moment for Samsung to reveal a big (thin) upgrade.

Sadly, that is unlikely. Recent reports claim there will be no S26 Edge at Unpacked. In fact, rumored poor sales might mean we never see another Edge. Guess people want more in their smartphones and are willing to bear the weight of it.

Last chance

If there was any question that Samsung would reveal a collection of new hardware devices, that's eliminated by Samsung's ongoing (but expiring) offer for savings based on reserving the upcoming devices.

Sure, we don't know which devices, and even assuming it's the Galaxy S26 lineup, we don't know enough to assess if we even want them. No matter; if you are a big Galaxy device fan, a $30 credit for reserving one of the new, we're guessing, phones is nothing to sniff at.

Also, there's that much more enticing offer of a $900 savings based on a trade-in. Even without a trade-in, you can get $150 off when you pre-order said devices through Samsung.com.

Today, my friends, is the last day to realize any of these deals.

Samsung Galaxy: reserve your device and get $30 credit at Samsung
Interested in the next Galaxy series? You can already reserve a device over at the official Samsung Store. Not only will you secure yourself a device once pre-orders go live, but you'll also get $30 store credit in addition to any deals available, plus the chance to win $5,000 in a sweepstake. Signing up is free, and all you need is an email, so it's definitely worth considering this week.

You can also reserve at AT&T and Best Buy today

View Deal

The big picture

Samsung hasn't shared much about what it will unveil on Wednesday, February 25, but it has teased a little bit.

Last week, Samsung revealed a new camera system for its anticipated S26 lineup. According to a brief statement, Samsung will "unveil a new Galaxy camera experience designed to unify photo & video capturing, editing, and sharing into one intuitive system."

This means, in part, that some of the disparate AI capabilities will now reside inside the camera application and may offer a more seamless interaction between your photographic intentions and the final AI-influenced imagery.

Beyond that, we don't know much about the new devices. We expect a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon for Galaxy chip, minor camera upgrades, and not many (if any) design tweaks.

The biggest news will likely again revolve around AI. What that means for Samsung's plans for the already crowded on-board AI offerings (Galaxy AI, Gemini, Bixby) is anyone's guess – for now.