10 Key Things You Must Know Ahead of February 25 Unpacked Launch

With Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event set for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in San Francisco, the Galaxy S26 Ultra stands poised as the flagship highlight of the 2026 lineup. Leaks, official teasers and promotional materials have revealed a device that refines the formula rather than reinvents it, emphasizing deeper Galaxy AI integration, privacy innovations and efficiency gains from cutting-edge hardware.

Here are 10 essential details to know about the Galaxy S26 Ultra based on the latest reports as of February 24:

1. **Unveiling Date and Availability**
Samsung will officially reveal the Galaxy S26 series, including the Ultra, at Galaxy Unpacked on February 25 at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET). Pre-orders are expected to open immediately in many markets, with general availability starting around March 11. The event will stream live on Samsung’s website, YouTube and other platforms, focusing on “the next AI phone” that simplifies daily interactions.

2. **Display: Privacy Display Takes Center Stage**
The 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel returns with a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 2,600 nits brightness and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 protection. The standout upgrade is the exclusive Privacy Display (powered by Flex Magic Pixel technology), which allows users to toggle pixel-level viewing angle restrictions to prevent shoulder-surfing. Leaked hands-on videos show it dynamically obscuring content from side views while remaining clear head-on, a hardware-first approach that could influence competitors.

3. **Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Powers It Globally**
Unlike potential regional splits in lower models, the S26 Ultra is expected to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) chipset worldwide. Benchmarks show strong gains in multi-core performance, AI acceleration and thermal efficiency, positioning it as one of 2026’s most capable Android flagships. Paired with faster LPDDR5X RAM (likely 12GB standard, up to 16GB), it promises smoother multitasking and on-device AI processing.

4. **Camera: Evolutionary Refinements, Not Revolution**
The quad-camera array remains largely unchanged: 200MP main (with a wider f/1.4 aperture for superior low-light capture), 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto and 50MP 5x periscope. Upgrades focus on hardware like larger apertures on main and zoom lenses, improved sensors and AI enhancements such as seamless Photo Assist editing. Low-light video and zoom quality should see meaningful boosts, though megapixel counts stay the same.

5. **Battery and Charging: Steady, Not Spectacular**
Despite early rumors of a 5,500mAh stacked battery, recent leaks and promo materials confirm a 5,000mAh capacity — unchanged from the S25 Ultra — with up to 31 hours of video playback. Wired charging jumps to 60W (a long-overdue upgrade), reaching 75% in 30 minutes, while wireless charging rises to 25W with Qi2 compatibility. Efficiency from the new chipset should extend real-world endurance.

6. **Galaxy AI: Deeper, More Personal Integration**
Samsung’s AI push continues with features like multi-agent support, Perplexity-powered searches in apps, conversational Bixby and unified camera-to-edit workflows. On-device processing prioritizes privacy, with tools for recreating photo elements and proactive suggestions. The Ultra’s hardware enables faster, more reliable AI without heavy cloud reliance.

7. **Design and Build: Iterative Tweaks**
Expect a familiar titanium frame with flat edges, refined ergonomics and a prominent camera island. Colors include Black, Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue and White, plus online-exclusive options like Silver and Pink Gold. Weight and dimensions stay similar (around 214g, 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm), with better anti-reflective coating on the display.

8. **Storage and RAM: Solid Baseline**
Configurations start at 12GB RAM and 256GB storage (UFS 4.0), with options up to 16GB RAM and 1TB. No major changes here, though faster RAM speeds enhance performance. Base models may drop 128GB variants in some regions.

9. **Pricing: Likely Stable, Possible Regional Hikes**
U.S. starting price is rumored around $1,299, matching predecessors, with trade-in credits up to $900. Some markets could see slight increases due to component costs, but pre-order incentives like storage upgrades aim to maintain accessibility.

10. **What Sets It Apart in 2026**
The S26 Ultra combines mature hardware with standout software — Privacy Display, 60W charging and advanced AI — in a polished package. While not revolutionary, it targets professionals and power users valuing privacy, camera consistency and long-term support (seven years of updates promised).

As Unpacked approaches, final details will emerge, but current leaks position the S26 Ultra as a compelling evolution for those upgrading from older models or seeking top-tier Android performance.