Tech

The Galaxy S26 and other devices that might launch on February 25

Published

2 hours ago

22 February 2026

Samsung’s 2025 was filled with new foldables, an ultra-thin new form factor and the launch of Google’s XR platform. After making some announcements at CES 2026, the company has announced its first Galaxy Unpacked of the year will take place on February 25, where it is expected to introduce the Galaxy S26 lineup. Official invites have been shared, but actual information on what devices are arriving then is still not completely confirmed. But as usual, we know a lot about what’s expected at Unpacked.

Engadget will be covering Galaxy Unpacked live from San Francisco next week, and we’ll most likely have hands-on coverage of Samsung’s new smartphones soon after they’re announced. While we wait for the full details, here’s everything we expect Samsung will introduce at the first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026.

When is Unpacked 2026 taking place?

According to the official invite that Samsung shared on February 10, Unpacked will happen on February 25, 2026 in San Francisco. The keynote will start at 10AM PT (1PM ET) and be livestreamed on Samsung.com, as well as the company’s newsroom and YouTube channel. The announcement on February 10 also said this launch will mark “a new phase in the era of AI as intelligence becomes truly personal and adaptive.” It’s not a lot to go on, since we’ve heard a version of this from various companies over the last few years, but at least we won’t be shocked when we hear more about AI in just about two weeks.

Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on photo (Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget)

Samsung’s restrained approach to updating its phones will likely continue with the Galaxy S26. Based on leaked images of the new lineup, the company is not expected to radically reinvent the look of the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ or Galaxy S26 Ultra, and instead will stick with a similar design to what it used on the Galaxy S25. The phones will have a flat front screen and frame, with rounded corners and cameras housed in a vertical pill-shaped plateau on the back. Unlike Apple’s move from the iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone 17 Pro, the biggest difference here will likely be internal components like the screens, chips and camera sensors Samsung uses.

Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip is expected to be in all Samsung Galaxy S26 phones, though Korean news site Yonhap News reports Samsung’s relatively new Exynos 2600 chip could be used in some phones in the lineup depending on the region, a strategy Samsung has deployed in the past. Either way the new phones should be more performant than the previous generation, and in the case of the models with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, particularly good at on-device AI processing.

One notable difference between the Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy S25 could be the phone’s screen. The new phone will reportedly feature a 6.3-inch FHD+ display according to specs shared by leaker Ice Universe, which makes it ever so slightly larger than the 6.2-inch display used on the Galaxy S25. The S26 will also allegedly come with 12GB of RAM, either 256GB or 512GB of storage and a slightly larger 4,300mAh battery. Samsung isn’t changing the cameras on the entry-level phone, though: leaks suggest it’ll feature the same 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto and 12-megapixel selfie camera as the previous generation. Changes appear to be even more minor on the Galaxy S26+. Other than the new Snapdragon chip, the phone will reportedly feature the same 6.7-inch FHD+ screen, 4,900mAh battery, 12GB of RAM and the same camera array used on the base Galaxy S26.

The difference between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Ultra is reportedly a bit clearer. According to Android Headlines, the new phone’s cameras will be slightly more raised, and stand out thanks to a new metallic finish. Samsung may also switch back to using an aluminum frame on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, after using titanium frames on both the Galaxy S24 and S25 Ultras. Most importantly, to make the phone actually support Qi2 rather than only technically work with the standard when a case is attached, rumors suggest Samsung will remove the S Pen digitizer layer in the phone and adopt a new method for accepting stylus input. It’s not clear what that new method will actually be, but it could let the Galaxy S26 Ultra more easily work with Qi2 accessories without losing its stylus.

Android Headlines also recently shared what appear to be full image renders of the S26 series, and they generally line up with what has already been rumored, leaked and reported so far. If these pictures are accurate, they give us a clearer look at the camera bump and two color variants of the S26 Ultra.

Fans of magnets may continue to be disappointed by Samsung if the latest rumors are accurate. Despite the launch of the Qi 2 wireless charging standard adding support for convenient magnetic alignment years ago, Samsung has yet to bring that feature to its phones. Though the S-series have the higher speed charging rates that the spec enables, Nieuwemobiel.nl is reporting that, due to images it received of cases with magnetic rings, the S26 series likely won’t have built-in magnets. Samsung has made these cases to add the magnetic capability to its S-series in the past, and the existence of the images of these accessories lends weight to the idea that the company will continue this approach.

Galaxy Buds 4

Samsung released the Galaxy Buds 3 and 3 Pro in 2024, with a major redesign that brought them much more in line with Apple’s AirPods. The Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro Samsung is rumored to be announcing soon won’t necessarily change that, though they will feature a more compact case and less angular stems, according to leaked images from the Samsung Tips app.

Support for head gestures to accept and decline calls, a feature Apple includes on the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4, is also rumored to work on both versions of the new Galaxy Buds. SamMobile reports the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro may also ship with a new Ultra Wideband chip that will make them easier to find with Google’s Find Hub network.

Galaxy Z Trifold

Yes, the TriFold has a crease, two in fact. But they still don't ruin the experience. — Yes, the TriFold has a crease, two in fact. But they still don’t ruin the experience. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

Samsung announced the Galaxy Z TriFold in late 2025 without firm details of when the new smartphone-that-folds-into-a-tablet would be available in North America. That info came on January 27, when the company announced the TriFold would be available in the US on January 30, for a whopping $2,900. Considering we’ve already seen the device in person at CES 2026 and people are most likely to have had a chance to look at, if not buy the foldable for themselves by the time Unpacked rolls around, we don’t expect Samsung to spend too much time dwelling on it, if at all.

Galaxy S26 Edge

At just 5.8mm thick, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is one of the thinnest smartphones ever made. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

When the Galaxy S25 Edge was announced in 2025, it seemed possible that Samsung could replace its “Plus” smartphone with a unique form factor, just like Apple has opted to do with the iPhone Air. There have been conflicting reports on the matter, but it seems like Samsung will not be doing that with the Galaxy S26 Edge.

Instead, the smartphone will reportedly remain another option, much like foldables are for customers not swayed by Samsung’s traditional smartphones. The Galaxy S26 Edge is rumored to feature a slightly different design than last year’s model, according to Android Headlines, with a large rectangular camera plateau that’s reminiscent of Google’s Pixel phones, and the raised oval Apple used on the iPhone Air. Beyond that, the phone is also expected to be ever so slightly thinner at 5.5mm than the 5.8mm Galaxy S25 Edge.

Bixby and other AI features

Samsung already acts as a first place Google can show off new AI features for Android, but the company is reportedly exploring other AI partnerships, too. In June 2025, Bloomberg reported that Samsung was nearing a deal with Perplexity to integrate its AI-powered search engine across OneUI and its homegrown mobile browser. Perplexity already has a deal with Motorola on its Razr phones, so the only thing that would make a deal with Samsung unusual is the close relationship the company already has with Google.

The company also accidentally announced a new version of its Bixby AI assistant, which will likely also be integrated with Perplexity and could serve as an alternative to Google Gemini. Both a new Bixby and a deeper integration with Perplexity seem like natural new software features to show off at Galaxy Unpacked.

On February 17, Samsung teased some mobile AI photography features ahead of Unpacked. These expand the S-series’ existing image-editing tools by bringing the ability “to turn a photo from day to night in seconds, restore missing parts of objects in images, capture detailed photos in low light, and seamlessly merge multiple photos into a single, cohesive result.” A lot of these things are already possible in other photo-editing apps or even in the Google Photos app, but we’ll have to wait to see them in action on the S26 phones for more details on whether they’re different or more effective.

Update, January 27 2026, 11:55AM ET: This story has been updated to reflect the latest news around the Galaxy Z TriFold’s price and availability in the US.

Update, January 30 2026, 12:45PM ET: This story has been updated to include the latest leaks on the possible dates for Unpacked 2026.

Update, February 02 2026, 11:30AM ET: This story has been updated to include the latest leaks with full image renders of the S26 trio of devices.

Update, February 03 2026, 11:00AM ET: This story has been updated to include the latest leaks about the possible lack of magnetic support on the S26 series.

Update, February 10 2026, 7:15PM ET: This story has been updated to include the official date of Galaxy Unpacked as Samsung announced it today. The intro was also edited to reflect that detail.

Update, February 17 2026, 4:55PM ET: This story has been updated to add Samsung’s teaser about its upcoming mobile AI photography tools. The intro was also edited for timeliness.

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Google Pixel 10a dashed my hopes, but I can recommend these 6 phones instead

Published

5 minutes ago

22 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Google has officially unveiled the Pixel 10a, its newest entry in the A-series lineup. On the surface, it looks like another compelling budget-friendly Pixel: minimalist design, fresh colours, a large battery, and Google’s well-known AI features. But dig a little deeper, and the excitement quickly fades. For many buyers, the Pixel 10a may feel like a déjà vu moment – a phone that looks new but behaves very much like last year’s Pixel 9a. In fact, the similarities run so deep that a growing number of users and reviewers are asking the same question: Why upgrade at all?

Despite its refreshed exterior and a few modern touches, the Pixel 10a delivers nearly identical core specifications to its predecessor, and in some areas, actually feels like a step backward. For anyone shopping in the sub-$500 bracket, the Pixel 10a’s value proposition becomes questionable, especially when several alternatives – some from Google’s own lineup – offer far better hardware at equal or lower prices.

Below, we break down why the Pixel 10a underwhelms and explore five smartphones that might be smarter buys.

Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: A shockingly small upgrade

Put the Pixel 9a and Pixel 10a side by side, and the differences almost vanish. The display size, refresh rate, RAM, storage, charging speeds, and primary camera setup remain functionally the same. The most controversial change? Google swapped out its flagship-level Tensor G5 expected for A-series phones, instead opting for the older Tensor G4. This marks the first time an A-series Pixel has launched without the newest processor. For a brand that built the A-series on value-driven flagship trickle-down, the decision is puzzling.

One of the most frustrating omissions is the complete lack of Pixel Snap support. Pixel Snap – Google’s magnetic accessory ecosystem – has become a standout feature on the Pixel 10 lineup. Yet the Pixel 10a gets no magnetic capabilities at all. Even Google’s official Pixel 10a cases lack magnets. As a result, buyers who want magnetic accessories must rely on third-party cases, relinquishing Google’s usual first-party ecosystem experience.

There are upgrades, but they’re small: slightly brighter display, faster wired charging, improved Bluetooth, updated Gorilla Glass 7i front protection, and one extra year of software support. While welcome, these refinements hardly justify the price jump when the Pixel 9a still exists – and continues to offer identical real-world performance.

Yes, we are slightly upset too. But don’t worry, we gotchu. Here are five smartphones you can buy instead of the Pixel 10a.

If You Want to Save Money: Buy the Pixel 9a

If your priority is value, the older Pixel 9a remains the smarter purchase. With the Pixel 10a now official, Pixel 9a pricing is expected to drop significantly – often $100 or more below the 10a. Since the two phones share the same core experience, opting for the 9a means saving money without sacrificing features.

The Pixel 9a’s only real shortcomings compared to the 10a include the older Gorilla Glass 3 display, slightly slower charging, and one fewer year of OS updates. None of these are dealbreakers for most users – especially those planning to upgrade again within three to four years.

Put simply, the Pixel 10a doesn’t justify its premium when last year’s model delivers nearly identical performance at a much lower cost.

If you’re willing to spend more: Buy the Pixel 10

The Pixel 10 lists at $799, but its real street price tells a different story. Six months after launch, the Pixel 10 can regularly be found for $649 new – and refurbished units frequently dip to the Pixel 10a’s $499 asking price. Trade-in bonuses and carrier deals drive the price even lower, making the Pixel 10 a substantially better value.

For the same or slightly higher cost as a Pixel 10a, you get Google’s superior Tensor G5 chip, a proper ultrawide + telephoto rear camera setup, 12GB RAM, tougher display glass, an ultrasonic fingerprint reader, and full Pixel Snap compatibility. In every meaningful way – performance, photography, ecosystem, feel, longevity – the Pixel 10 outclasses the Pixel 10a.

The trade-offs? A slightly smaller battery, a slightly heavier chassis, and a marginally weaker selfie camera. None outweigh the significant advantages. If you’re shopping around the Pixel 10a’s price bracket, the Pixel 10 is simply a better phone.

If the Google Pixel is not your jam, here are four other smartphones you can opt for instead.

Samsung Galaxy A55

The Samsung Galaxy A55 stands out as a far stronger mid-range option than the Pixel 10a, especially for US users on T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, or MetroPCS. Powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1480 octa-core chipset, it delivers faster, more stable performance than the Pixel 10a’s downgraded Tensor G4. The phone features a vibrant 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED 120Hz display, offering noticeably better brightness, colour accuracy, and smoothness.

Its camera system is more versatile too, with a 50MP OIS main camera, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, and a 32MP front camera with 4K video, giving it an edge in flexibility and detail. Durability is another win, thanks to Gorilla Glass Victus+, an aluminum frame, and IP67 water and dust resistance – all superior to the Pixel 10a’s simpler build.

You also get microSD expansion, dual SIM, newer Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, and a more premium overall experience. For most buyers, the A55 simply offers better long-term value than the Pixel 10a.

Motorola Moto G Stylus (2025)

Not every Pixel 10a alternative sits close in price. The Moto G Stylus starts at just $399, meaning you can save over $100 compared to Google’s new A-series device. It also comes with a built-in stylus, making it the only phone on this list with that capability. For note-takers, artists, or productivity-focused users, this may be a major selling point.

Despite its modest price, the Moto G Stylus impresses with 68W fast charging – the fastest among these alternatives – and expandable storage via microSD card. Those two features alone could sway many buyers.

Of course, its low price comes with sacrifices: outdated Gorilla Glass 3, slow UFS 2.2 storage, weak software support, and slower USB transfer speeds. This isn’t a phone for long-term users or performance-heavy workflows – but as a budget device, it offers tremendous value.

Nothing Phone 3a Pro

For buyers who want something visually distinctive and feature-rich, the Nothing Phone 3a Pro stands out. Surprisingly, it retails for $40 less than the Pixel 10a while offering twice the storage at 256GB. Hardware-wise, it’s stacked: a 50MP periscope telephoto lens, strong 50MP selfie camera, 50W wired charging, and a stunning display with symmetrical bezels and peak brightness matching the flagship Pixel 10.

Its weaknesses include no wireless charging, less powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, and only an IP64 rating. Connectivity issues may arise for Verizon customers. Still, for the price, it’s an exceptional device – especially for buyers who value aesthetic flair and display quality.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 FE serves as another compelling alternative. While its list price is higher than the Pixel 10a’s, real-world pricing – especially during sales – often brings it within striking distance. For users who value performance, the S25 FE easily outpaces the Tensor G4 in nearly every benchmark. The Exynos 2400 delivers superior CPU and GPU performance, which translates to faster daily operation and noticeably better gaming.

Camera hardware is also stronger on Samsung’s FE model, especially thanks to the inclusion of a telephoto lens – a feature missing from the Pixel 10a. You also get faster 45W wired charging and tougher display protection. On the flip side, Google’s computational photography still produces more consistent results, and the Pixel 10a has a larger battery and faster OS updates.

Still, for users already in Samsung’s ecosystem – or anyone prioritizing power – the Galaxy S25 FE deserves serious consideration.

Should anyone buy the Pixel 10a?

The Pixel 10a is not a bad phone. In isolation, it offers reliable performance, a clean design, Google’s trademark AI features, and a long update commitment. But it suffers from one major problem: the Pixel 9a exists, the Pixel 10 is discounted, and the competition in the sub-$500 market is fiercer than ever.

If your heart is set on the Pixel 10a, go for it – Google’s hardware and software consistency still make it a great everyday phone. But if you want the best possible value for your money, it’s hard to justify choosing the 10a over its alternatives. Whether it’s Google’s own Pixel 9a and Pixel 10 or competitive offerings from Samsung, Motorola, and Nothing, several devices offer more for your dollar.

In 2026, the Pixel 10a isn’t the obvious choice – it’s simply one option in a crowded field. And for many buyers, the alternatives may be a far better fit.

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Helium problem forces NASA to delay Artemis 2 launch to the moon and roll back the rocket

Published

19 minutes ago

22 February 2026

NewsAdmin

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, far left, walks around Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida with a team of troubleshooters working on a helium flow issue with the Space Launch System rocket in the background. (NASA Photo)

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the giant rocket set to send four astronauts around the moon for the history-making Artemis 2 mission must be rolled back from its launch pad to troubleshoot a technical problem.

The 10-day mission, previously scheduled for as soon as March, is now postponed until April at the earliest. “I understand people are disappointed by this development,” Isaacman said in a posting to X. “That disappointment is felt most by the team at NASA, who have been working tirelessly to prepare for this great endeavor.”

The technical issue cropped up just days after a successful launch-pad rehearsal at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Data from the Space Launch System rocket’s upper stage registered an interruption in the flow of helium, which is used to pressurize the propellant tanks and purge the engines. “Last evening, the team was unable to get helium flow through the vehicle,” Isaacman wrote today. “This occurred during a routine operation to repressurize the system.”

Isaacman said the helium pressurization system worked correctly during this week’s wet dress rehearsal. For what it’s worth, a problem with a helium valve cropped up during preparations for the uncrewed Artemis 1 round-the-moon mission in 2022, leading NASA managers to take corrective actions.

The current problem could be due to a failure at any of several points in the helium supply system. “Regardless of the potential fault, accessing and remediating any of these issues can only be performed in the VAB,” said Isaacman, referring to the 52-story Vehicle Assembly Building where the SLS and its Orion crew capsule were stacked for launch.

With March out of consideration, the next available launch dates for Artemis 2 are April 1 and April 3-6. The mission aims to send three NASA astronauts and a Canadian astronaut on a figure-8 route around the moon — which would mark the first time humans have traveled beyond Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. A successful Artemis 2 mission would clear the way for Artemis 3’s crewed lunar landing.

Several companies with a presence in the Seattle area are banking on Artemis’ success.

For example, a facility in Redmond operated by L3Harris (previously known as Aerojet Rocketdyne) builds thrusters for the Orion spacecraft and is already working ahead on the Artemis 8 mission. Boeing is the lead contractor for the SLS rocket’s core stage. And Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture, based in Kent, is developing a Blue Moon lander that’s meant to put Artemis crews on the lunar surface starting in 2030. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is expected to send an uncrewed cargo version of its lander to the moon sometime in the next few months.

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Stark Twizy Transforms Renault’s Urban EV Into a Wild Performance Machine

Published

32 minutes ago

22 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Stark Twizy Renault EV Modified
DM Performance took a close look at the Renault Twizy and simply had to get their hands on it. They thought the conventional 17 HP electric motor was severely inadequate. So they decided to replace it with the entire assembly from a Stark Varg electric motocross bike. This gives the little two-seater an impressive 80 horsepower and a whopping 692 pound-feet of torque, thanks to a unique chain drive system that replaces the usual setup.

The team at DM Performance realized that the previous differential wouldn’t cut it with all that extra torque, so they rebuilt it with a stainless steel casing and greased it with some high-pressure grease to help it withstand the twist without blowing apart. They also chopped away the rear section to fit in the new motor and chain drive, as well as some Maxpeedingrods coilovers to keep the Twizy on the road and prevent it from doing a funny flip while turning aggressively. Then there’s the battery swap; the one from the Stark Varg weighs only 70 pounds compared to the original 220 pounds, which is a significant weight savings, and it also packs a little more grunt.

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The underlying performance metrics reveal the remainder of the story. This Twizy has beaten an Audi S1 Quattro to 100 mph, performed donuts and slides, and even circled a Lamborghini Aventador while burning the rear axle. Its rear-wheel drive architecture and fast electric power make it want to slide all over the place, which is ideal for the type of sideways activity this car was designed for. Not unexpectedly, the Twizy was originally intended to be a city crawler.