Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Hands-On & First Look Review
Samsung has officially given a first look at its upcoming flagship lineup — Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Base. The S26 series focuses on refined hardware upgrades, enhanced privacy features, AI-driven software improvements and faster charging.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Premium Features Explained
The Galaxy S26 Ultra stands out as the most advanced model in the lineup. It features a massive 6.9-inch QHD+ display with up to 2600 nits brightness in HBM mode. View@ Amazon.in
- New M14 display panel with 10-bit color depth
- Exclusive pixel-level privacy display
- 60W wired and 25W wireless charging
- 200MP main camera with enhanced low-light performance
- Dual telephoto lenses: 50MP (5x) and 10MP (3x)
- Supports 100x Space Zoom
Samsung also introduces the APV video codec, reducing video file sizes by around 20% without quality loss. New video tools like horizontal lock and 4K auto-framing during 8K recording enhance content creation.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus: Balanced Performance
The Galaxy S26 Plus offers a strong balance of performance and features but skips some Ultra-exclusive upgrades.
- 8-bit display panel
- 45W wired and 20W wireless charging
- Triple camera setup: 50MP + 10MP + 12MP
- No privacy display feature
Source: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S26 Base Model: Core Essentials
The Galaxy S26 Base is designed for users who want flagship performance without premium extras.
- 8-bit display panel
- 25W wired and 15W wireless charging
- Same camera setup as S26 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S26 Specifications Comparison
| Feature | S26 Ultra | S26 Plus | S26 Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch QHD+, 10-bit | 8-bit panel | 8-bit panel |
| Main Camera | 200MP | 50MP | 50MP |
| Wired Charging | 60W | 45W | 25W |
| Wireless Charging | 25W | 20W | 15W |
| Privacy Display | Yes | No | No |
Software, AI & Privacy Features
All Galaxy S26 models run on One UI 8.5 and come with 7 years of major Android updates.
- Agentic AI for proactive contextual assistance
- Improved audio eraser across apps like YouTube and Instagram
- Smart call screening assistant
- Choice between on-device or cloud AI processing
Samsung Buds 4 & Buds 4 Pro
Alongside the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung has launched Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro with improved bass drivers, new gesture controls, and a more comfortable design.
Final Verdict: Is the Galaxy S26 Worth It?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series delivers meaningful refinements rather than radical changes. The Galaxy S26 Ultra clearly stands out with its privacy display, superior camera, faster charging, and advanced display technology.
Overall, the S26 lineup emphasizes privacy, AI intelligence, and long-term software support, making it a strong flagship upgrade for 2026.