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2w ago

Galaxy S26 Ultra Leads With Privacy Display and AI as Preorders and Hands‑On Trials Start

Samsung is warning that Qi2 magnetic cases can disrupt the S Pen, highlighting accessory trade‑offs ahead of the March 11 release.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
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A guest looks at a new Galaxy S26 smartphone during a Samsung Electronics presentation in San Francisco on Feb. 25, 2026.

Overview

  • Preorders are live for the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra, with UK availability from March 11 and list prices starting at £879 in the UK and $1,299.99 in the US for the Ultra.
  • Samsung launched its Try Galaxy web tool so iPhone and Android users can preview marquee features like the pixel‑level Privacy Display and Galaxy AI before buying.
  • The S26 Ultra pairs a built‑in privacy screen and expanded agentic Galaxy AI (leveraging Google’s Gemini and Perplexity) with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 200MP main camera, 60W wired charging and higher Qi2 wireless speeds that rely on magnetic alignment.
  • SamMobile reports the S26 Ultra shows a notification when third‑party Qi2 magnet cases are attached, cautioning that magnets can interfere with the integrated S Pen’s signal.
  • Retail incentives include Sky Mobile’s free Galaxy Watch8 (Watch8 Classic with Ultra) and double storage on UK preorders by March 10, plus a US Amazon offer bundling a $200 gift card with the 512GB S26 Ultra.