Samsung launches Galaxy S26 series with deeper AI integration and upgraded hardware
Samsung unveils Galaxy S26 series with upgraded AI, camera and privacy features, available in Singapore from 11 March 2026.
Samsung Electronics has introduced its Galaxy S26 series, positioning it as the company’s most advanced AI-driven smartphone line to date. The range comprises the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra, with a focus on embedding proactive and adaptive artificial intelligence into everyday mobile use.
The new devices are described as Samsung’s third-generation AI phones, designed to manage complex tasks in the background while reducing the number of steps users take to complete routine actions. The company has integrated AI more tightly with hardware performance, imaging and privacy features, aiming to make the technology less visible and more intuitive in daily interactions.
TM Roh, Chief Executive Officer, President and Head of Device eXperience Division at Samsung Electronics, said, “We believe AI should be something people can depend on every day, designed to work consistently for everyone and without the need for expertise. With the Galaxy S26 Series, we focused on making AI feel effortless by designing it to complete tasks naturally, working quietly in the background so people can focus on what matters.”
In Singapore, Ronnie Ng, Vice President and Head of Mobile eXperience at Samsung Electronics Singapore, said 77% of Galaxy users in the region are already using Galaxy AI features. “Across the region, we’ve seen widespread adoption of AI features, with 77 percent of all Galaxy users utilising Galaxy AI. This is extremely heartening to hear – a clear sign we are on the right track with our AI strategy and thus maintaining our leadership in the mobile AI era. The bedrock of that strategy is the democratisation of the technology, what we like to refer to as ‘AI for All’. With that rallying cry, we want to make Galaxy AI an everyday reality for everyone, turning it from not just a feature for the few, but an essential tool for all in Singapore. The new Galaxy S26 Series will make that dream come true.”
Performance and camera upgrades built for AI workloads
At the hardware level, the Galaxy S26 series is powered by a customised chipset, with the S26 Ultra featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy. Samsung claims CPU performance improvements of up to 19%, a 39% increase in NPU performance and a 24% boost in GPU performance compared to the previous generation.
To sustain AI-heavy tasks, the S26 Ultra introduces a redesigned vapour chamber and thermal interface materials positioned along the processor’s sides to improve heat dissipation. The device also supports Super-Fast Charging 3.0, reaching up to 75% charge in around 30 minutes. The Ultra model is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery and runs on Android 16 with One UI 8.5.
The display includes a new Privacy Display feature exclusive to the S26 Ultra, designed to limit side-angle visibility while maintaining clarity for the primary user. This hardware-level approach aims to protect sensitive information in public settings without relying on external accessories.
Camera capabilities remain a central pillar of the S series. The S26 Ultra features a 200MP wide camera with F1.4 aperture and optical image stabilisation, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and 10x optical quality zoom, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Samsung says wider apertures allow up to 47% more light on the 200MP wide camera and 37% more light on the 50MP telephoto camera compared to its predecessor.
Video features include enhanced Nightography Video and upgraded Super Steady functionality with a horizontal lock option. The S26 Ultra is also the first Galaxy device to support APV, a professional video standard and codec aimed at efficient compression for high-quality production workflows. Samsung describes the result as visually lossless video even after repeated edits.
AI-powered editing tools have also been expanded. The upgraded Photo Assist suite allows users to describe changes in natural language, such as altering lighting conditions or modifying elements within an image. Edits can be reviewed and adjusted step by step. Creative Studio consolidates design tools into a single interface for generating visuals such as stickers and wallpapers from sketches or prompts. AI ISP enhancements extend to the selfie camera, improving skin tones and detail in mixed lighting.
Proactive AI features and strengthened privacy controls
The Galaxy S26 series introduces updated AI features designed to reduce friction across apps and services. Now Nudge surfaces context-aware suggestions, such as recommending relevant photos when a friend requests images from a recent trip. Now Brief has been enhanced to provide more personalised reminders related to reservations, travel and calendar events.
Circle to Search with Google has been upgraded to support multi-object recognition, allowing users to identify multiple items within a single image. Samsung has also enhanced Bixby’s conversational capabilities and integrated third-party AI agents including Gemini and Perplexity. These agents can handle multi-step tasks, such as booking a taxi, through voice prompts and background processing.
Privacy and security remain a core focus as AI capabilities expand. The S26 Ultra’s Privacy Display controls pixel-level light dispersion to limit visibility from side angles. Users can activate privacy modes for specific apps or when entering sensitive information. Partial Screen Privacy limits visibility of notifications, while Maximum Privacy Protection further restricts side viewing.
On the software side, AI-powered Call Screening summarises unknown callers’ intent, and Privacy Alerts notify users when apps attempt to access sensitive data such as location or contacts. A new Private Album feature within the Gallery allows selected photos and videos to be hidden without creating separate folders. Samsung has also extended post-quantum cryptography protections to system processes and strengthened device security through Knox Matrix and Knox Vault.
Samsung is committing to seven years of security updates for the Galaxy S26 series, reinforcing its longer-term support strategy.
In Singapore, pre-orders for the Galaxy S26 series began at 2:00 AM on 26 February, with general availability from 11 March. Recommended retail prices start at S$1,438 for the Galaxy S26 (12GB + 256GB) and go up to S$2,578 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra (16GB + 1TB). Consumers who pre-order are eligible for storage upgrades and bundle promotions, including combined offers with the new Galaxy Buds4 Pro.
