Samsung has once again captured the spotlight in the smartphone world, unveiling its highly anticipated Galaxy S26 lineup—including the S26, S26+, and the feature-packed S26 Ultra—just ahead of the official launch date on March 11, 2026. The new series, available through Spectrum Mobile and other retailers, is already drawing attention for its blend of next-generation AI, privacy innovations, and enticing carrier deals that promise to shake up the market for both loyal Samsung fans and newcomers alike.
At the heart of the excitement is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which, according to reviews from Mark Ellis Reviews and Spectrum Mobile’s own announcements, stands out as the slimmest Ultra model to date. It measures a mere 7.9mm thick and weighs in at 214g, making it 0.3mm thinner and 4g lighter than its predecessor. But the improvements are far more than skin-deep. The S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with QHD+ resolution, S Pen support, and a headline-grabbing innovation: the world’s first privacy display.
This privacy display isn’t just a gimmick. As Mark Ellis Reviews explains, it’s a sophisticated blend of hardware, software, and AI that selectively dims pixels, making the screen difficult to read from side angles. Whether you’re on a crowded train or sitting in a busy café, the content on your S26 Ultra stays visible only to you. The feature can be triggered by specific apps, locations, times of day, or even a simple voice command. For those who need even more discretion, a ‘Maximum Privacy’ mode dims the display further, albeit at the cost of some overall brightness. Samsung first teased this technology as ‘Flex Magic Tech’ back in 2024, but the S26 Ultra marks its first commercial debut.
Of course, privacy isn’t the only area where the S26 Ultra breaks new ground. The device boasts a robust 5,000mAh battery (notably, some sources mention 6,000mAh, but the official spec sheet lists 5,000mAh), supporting 60W super-fast charging that can bring the battery to 75% in just 30 minutes. Wireless charging has also been improved to 25W, and a redesigned vapor chamber for cooling offers 21% better heat dissipation—a boon for power users and gamers alike.
Camera enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to as well. The S26 Ultra’s rear camera array includes a 200MP main sensor with an f/1.4 aperture, delivering a remarkable 47% improvement in low-light photography. The telephoto options have seen upgrades too: a new sensor for the 3x optical zoom promises better HDR and reduced noise, while the 5x telephoto lens now features a wider f/2.9 aperture. Perhaps most impressive is the 360-degree horizontal lock for video shooting, ensuring that the horizon stays perfectly level—even if you rotate the phone a full 360 degrees. As Mark Ellis Reviews put it, "the horizon stays resolutely level, no matter how much you’re shaking or twisting the phone."
But what truly sets the S26 series apart is its embrace of ‘agentic’ AI. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (in North America, China, and Japan) or the new Exynos 2600 chip elsewhere, the Galaxy S26 lineup introduces Galaxy AI’s Now Nudge feature. This tool offers real-time suggestions based on your ongoing conversations—like proposing calendar events or suggesting photos to share—without ever interrupting your workflow. According to Spectrum Mobile, Now Nudge "helps you stay on top of conversations by suggesting quick actions like adding an event, sharing a photo or finding a location – all without slowing you down."
Samsung hasn’t stopped there. The Audio Eraser tool, first introduced with the S25 series, now works at the OS level for third-party apps such as YouTube, Instagram, and Netflix, allowing users to remove background noise and adjust voice strength in videos with just a few taps. Bixby, Samsung’s digital assistant, has also received a notable upgrade, now capable of responding to natural language commands like "the screen is hurting my eyes" to guide users to the right settings. Document scanning has been enhanced with AI as well, automatically removing finger marks, fixing corner folds, and correcting distortion for cleaner scans.
In terms of design, the S26 Ultra offers a more rounded aesthetic compared to its predecessor, making it feel more comfortable in hand. It comes in a range of colors, including Cobalt Violet (the hero color), Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, and Pink Gold. The S Pen, a staple of the Ultra series, has been slightly redesigned with a rounded end, which may take some getting used to for long-time users.
Pricing for the S26 Ultra starts at $1,299.99 in the U.S. and £1,279 in the U.K., with the S26 and S26+ coming in at lower price points. There have been slight increases compared to last year’s models, largely due to rising memory costs, but Samsung and Spectrum Mobile are sweetening the deal for early adopters. Customers who pre-order the S26 Plus or S26 Ultra 512GB models between February 25 and March 10, 2026, will receive double the storage at no extra cost—a $200 value. Additionally, Spectrum Mobile is offering up to $700 off with a qualifying trade-in (through April 21, 2026) and a full year of free Spectrum Mobile service with the purchase of a qualifying device. These offers can be combined, making the new Galaxy S26 lineup more accessible than the sticker price might suggest.
The regular S26 shouldn’t be overlooked, either. With a slightly larger 6.3-inch display and a bigger 4,300mAh battery compared to its predecessor, it offers a compelling mix of features and value—especially for those who don’t need the Ultra’s bells and whistles. As Mark Ellis Reviews notes, "the S26 looks like a superb buy," especially given the carrier subsidies and double storage promotions currently in effect.
For those interested in Spectrum Mobile’s offerings, the carrier touts nationwide 5G coverage and nearly 50 million secure WiFi access points, ensuring that the S26 series’ advanced features are matched by reliable connectivity. The combination of next-level hardware, smart AI features, and aggressive pricing incentives positions the Galaxy S26 lineup as a formidable contender in the 2026 smartphone race.
Samsung’s latest devices might not represent a revolutionary leap for those upgrading from last year’s S25, but for users coming from older models—or anyone looking for the latest in privacy, AI, and camera tech—the S26 series is a major step forward. With the world’s first privacy display, smarter multitasking, and meaningful carrier deals, Samsung is betting big on innovation that matters in everyday life.
As the March 11 launch date approaches, all eyes are on how consumers will respond to Samsung’s newest flagship—and whether the privacy display and AI-powered features will set a new standard for the industry.