Overview
- Preorders are live ahead of March 11 availability, with UK offers like Sky Mobile’s free Galaxy Watch8 (Watch8 Classic with Ultra) and doubled storage, plus a U.S. Amazon bundle pricing the 512GB Ultra at $1,299.99 with a $200 gift card.
- The Ultra debuts a hardware‑level Privacy Display using Samsung Display’s Flex Magic Pixel to limit off‑angle viewing, with early hands‑on noting impressive privacy but a slight overall dimming when enabled.
- Samsung positions S26 as an agentic AI phone, layering Galaxy AI over Google’s Gemini with Perplexity integrated for specific tasks, alongside updated tools such as Now Nudge suggestions and enhanced Photo Assist editing.
- Samsung skipped built‑in Qi2 magnets again, instead selling first‑party magnetic cases (Clear $34.99, Silicone $38.49, Rugged $55.99, Slim $48.99 during preorder promotions), and the Ultra warns that third‑party Qi2 cases may interfere with the S Pen’s signal.
- The Ultra uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy while S26/S26+ feature Exynos 2600, with camera refinements including 200MP shots with full HDR, a new 24MP AI Fusion mode and Horizon Lock video, as Samsung signals no decision yet on follow‑ups to S25 Edge or TriFold.