Samsung Newsroom explored how Galaxy S26 Ultra’s AI features enhance travel moments while testing them on location in the city.

[Photo Assist]

Restore and Refine With a Single Prompt

When traveling, it’s easy to reach for the fork before snapping a photo. At a café in San Francisco, a cake had already been partially eaten — but with Galaxy S26 Ultra, even that missed moment was easily resolved.

By simply typing, “Make it look uneaten,” Photo Assist restored the cake to its original form.

Reimagine Any Scene After the Shot

Capturing the perfect shot while traveling isn’t always easy. Moments when the scenery, subject and timing align are rare.

Using Photo Assist, a photo of San Francisco’s streets was combined with an image of a passing tram, creating a seamless result — as if taken in a single moment.

Another notable feature is the ability to change the time of day. After uploading a daytime photo of San Francisco’s harbor and entering prompts such as “Make it look like sunset” or “Turn it into a night scene,” Galaxy AI adjusted the sky and lighting to recreate the scene at a different time of day.

[Creative Studio]

Turn Photos Into Artistic Creations

After capturing a scene of sea lions at Pier 39 — one of San Francisco’s iconic landmarks — the photo was imported into Creative Studio. Selecting the Oil painting style, Galaxy AI analyzed the image’s texture and colors, transforming it into an oil painting-style image.

The result is reimagined with a different aesthetic, making it feel like an entirely new piece.

Creative Studio on Galaxy S26 Ultra transforms travel photos into a range of styles, helping users preserve memories through fresh perspectives.

Create Custom Stickers With Ease

Custom stickers were also created using a photo of sea lions. After launching Creative Studio, selecting an image and choosing a style, tapping “Generate” produced a character sticker that captured the sea lions’ distinctive features.

Users can generate images repeatedly until they achieve the desired result, then choose from seven themes — such as “A slice of Life,” “School days” or “Today’s vibe” — to save the sticker as a themed set.

These stickers can be used not only to decorate photos, but also across text-based apps including messaging and notes.

With Creative Studio, users can transform everyday photos into personalized content, sharing memories in new ways — whether among friends and family or on social media.

Capturing moments in San Francisco with Galaxy S26 Ultra and enhancing them with Galaxy AI made travel memories richer than ever. From shooting and editing to sharing, the entire process comes together seamlessly in a single device.

Samsung Newsroom experienced the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera firsthand after Galaxy Unpacked 2026 in San Francisco, showcasing the city’s diverse scenery and unique atmosphere.

Sharp Detail at Any Distance

Pier 39, one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks, offers sweeping ocean views. With Galaxy S26 Ultra, even Alcatraz Island across the bay — typically seen clearly only up close by boat — appears crisp and detailed.

Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 200MP wide-angle camera and a 50MP telephoto camera with 10x optical zoom. The 200MP camera delivers exceptional detail, especially when images are enlarged. The wider F1.4 aperture captures more light than its predecessor, producing richer textures and finer detail. Even when zooming in or cropping, details remain sharp.

The camera also excels at video recording. When filming the sea lions at Pier 39 in 8K, even distant landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge remain clear and detailed when zoomed in.

Stable Video in Motion

Galaxy S26 Ultra is the first Galaxy device to support the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, a professional-grade format that preserves detail even after multiple edits.

When filming in crowded areas or on the move, Super Steady keeps footage stable. The new horizontal lock option maintains a level frame in motion-heavy situations.

To test the feature, Galaxy S26 Ultra was panned side to side at a nearby theme park. With the horizontal lock option on, the footage maintains a stable horizon. Compared with footage shot under the same conditions with the feature off, the difference is clear.

With Galaxy S26 Ultra, users can record stable video without camera shake — from travel vlogs to activities like running or cycling.

Clear, Vivid Nights

As the sun sets, San Francisco’s streets take on a different atmosphere. With Galaxy S26 Ultra’s enhanced Nightography, the city’s iconic cable cars appear in motion at night.

A wider aperture and improved ProVisual Engine reduce noise in low light while preserving the mood of nighttime scenes. Moving cable cars and the night sky appear natural, reflecting the city’s after-dark atmosphere. Its nighttime charm — different from its daytime appeal — is rendered in vivid detail.

From the ocean and lively streets to the city at night, Galaxy S26 Ultra showcases San Francisco in stunning detail, creating vivid, lasting travel memories.

In part two of this series, Samsung Newsroom will explore the AI features of Galaxy S26 Ultra that extend the experience beyond capture to make everyday moments even more meaningful.

This makes it smart to have comprehensive device care in place — especially as 23% of consumers now consider future resale value of their device when making purchasing decisions.² That’s where Samsung Care+ comes in.³ Not only does it preserve the future resale value of your device, it provides peace of mind and lasting value tomorrow.

Flexible and Personalized Choices for Every Lifestyle 

Not everyone uses their device the same way. Some need a complete peace of mind against everyday accidents. Others focus on long-term device reliability. Samsung Care+ gets this.

Samsung Care+ offers diverse plans that reflect the unique needs of customers with different lifestyles. This includes accidental damage cover that protects against certain knocks, drops and spills.⁴ For users prioritizing long-term performance and reliability, extended warranty coverage can help address certain mechanical or electrical failures well beyond the standard warranty period, which can become increasingly valuable as users hold onto devices longer.

Samsung Care+ also offers light option that deliver essential screen coverage at a more accessible price point. For frequent travelers and urban commuters navigating high-traffic environments, Theft and Loss coverage adds another layer of security.⁵

Payment flexibility matters too. Monthly plans spread costs over time, while upfront payment option is available. Your device, your choice.

Professional Service Without the Hassle

Protection is only valuable if you can access when needed. That is what matters most. Samsung Care+ delivers service designed to provide expert care in a simple, accessible way — wherever you are.

The claims process is designed for clarity. No complex forms. No confusing requirements to navigate. Samsung Care+ offers a streamlined claims process and priority queue, ensuring customers can receive the care they need without hassle and minimizing disruption to their daily routines.

Once your claim is submitted, Samsung-authorized service centers take over.⁶ Every repair is handled by certified technicians who know Samsung Galaxy devices inside out, using genuine Samsung parts. This approach does more than fix immediate problems — it maintains your device in working condition, preserving what you invested in whether you plan to keep it longer or eventually upgrade.

And here’s something people often overlook until they are traveling: your device goes everywhere with you, so your protection should too. Samsung Care+ provides comprehensive coverage both at home and abroad. You can receive Samsung-certified service in major cities around the world, including Seoul, London, Los Angeles and Barcelona.⁷

Peace of Mind, And Long-Lasting Value

The Galaxy S26 series is engineered to simplify the tasks you do on your phone through its most user-friendly Galaxy AI experiences. Samsung Care+ helps ensure it keeps doing that — delivering the peace of mind to enjoy your device to the fullest anywhere, anytime while maintaining its value over time.

Samsung Care+ subscription is available when you purchase your Galaxy S26 series on Samsung.com or Samsung Electronics Store, making it easy to add protection from day one. Already have your device? You can still enroll within 60 days of purchase by visiting Samsung.com or accessing Samsung Care+ menu directly on your device through Settings > About Phone > Samsung Care+.

1. SQ Magazine, “Smartphone Statistics 2026: Powerful Insights,” updated February 18, 2026. Available at: https://sqmagazine.co.uk/smartphone-statistics/. ︎
2. Based on Samsung-commissioned quantitative research of 241 consumer ages between 18-49 in the United States of America and United Kingdom, conducted July 2025. ︎
3. Terms and conditions apply. Samsung Care+ coverage, service type and promotion details may vary by country/region and deductible (service fee) may apply. To be eligible for Samsung Care+ promotion benefit, registration may be required. For detailed Samsung Care+ information, please visit https://www.samsung.com/samsung-care-plus/. ︎
4. Claims remain subject to other exclusions and limitations set out in the policy terms and conditions. Samsung Care+ covers damage that stops your device working normally. It does not cover cosmetic damage or wear and tear caused by normal use. Refer to the policy terms and conditions for details. ︎
5. Availability varies by market, please visit www.samsung.com/samsung-care-plus for more information. Refer to the policy terms and conditions for details. ︎
6. Samsung-authorized service centers subject to local availability. ︎
7. When in need of Samsung Care+ services during your travel, contact the visiting country/region’s local customer services center in advance for Samsung Care+ availability. ︎

Galaxy S26 Ultra: Where Innovation Leads

Galaxy S26 Ultra brings together Samsung’s most advanced innovation in a single device — powerful performance, an industry-leading camera system, enhanced intuitive Galaxy AI and the world’s first mobile phone with a built-in Privacy Display.²

Privacy Display, which has drawn widespread praise since its unveiling, is a breakthrough in display technology that fundamentally changes how privacy can be protected on a phone at a pixel level. Designed for everyday situations, hardware and software are working as one to protect privacy without compromising everyday viewing experiences.

Built for all-day performance, Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers the most powerful performance on a Galaxy S series yet, powered by a customized mobile processor — Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy³ — with significant gains⁴ across the CPU, GPU and NPU to support faster, smoother experiences that keep up throughout the day.

Galaxy S26 Ultra also features Samsung’s most intuitive and user-friendly AI experience to date. Features like Now Nudge⁵ provide proactive and relevant context-aware suggestions, while Now Brief⁶ surfaces timely reminders for important events. A choice of agents⁷ also help users to complete tasks easier with a single button press or voice prompt.

Galaxy S26 Ultra builds on Samsung’s industry-leading camera system, seamlessly integrating capture, editing and sharing into one intuitive workflow. Nightography video⁸ keeps footage vibrant even in low light, and Super Steady,⁹ which comes with a new horizontal lock option for greater stability, even during dynamic movement. Editing is just as easy and straight forward. With the upgraded Photo Assist,¹⁰ users can refine images and express their creativity by simply describing what they want in their own words, while Creative Studio¹¹ empowers users to easily turn their ideas into polished visuals — from stickers and invitations to personalized wallpapers.

Galaxy Buds4 Series: Superior Hi-Fi Sound With Computationally Designed Fit

Users can enhance the capabilities of the Galaxy S26 with the new Galaxy Buds4 series which integrated Samsung’s most advanced audio and wearability innovations together in one seamless experience. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Buds4 deliver superior hi-fi audio and everyday wearability to achieve the best listening experience across the Galaxy Buds series to date. The Buds4 series establishes a new iconic blade design with an engraved pinch control¹² and ultra-sleek ergonomic fit, achieved by analyzing hundreds of millions of global ear data points and running over 10,000 simulations¹³ to optimize for all-day wearability and comfort. Powerful hardware and software innovations on the Buds4 Pro such as a wider woofer and an enhanced Adaptive Equalizer and Active Noise Cancellation¹⁴ produce rich full-spectrum sound true to the original recording. With the integration of several AI agents¹⁵ and intuitive hands-free controls, the Buds4 series becomes a natural companion to Galaxy S26, extending everyday experiences beyond the phone.

Starting March 11, the Galaxy S26 series is available¹⁶ through carriers, retailers and Samsung.com. The Galaxy S26 series features a unified design language across all models, with shared color options including Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue alongside the Samsung.com-exclusive Pink Gold and Silver Shadow.

The Galaxy Buds4 series is available in two models — Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Buds4 — with distinct colorways including White and Black with a refined matte finish — as well as an online-exclusive Pink Gold for Buds4 Pro.

For added peace of mind, Samsung Care+¹⁷ offers comprehensive coverage that protects the devices’ value, including fast repairs for accidental damage, extended warranty and certified expert support available both at home and abroad.

For more information about the Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy Buds4 series, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, SamsungMobilePress.com and Samsung.com.

1. Samsung Account login may be required to use certain AI features. Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by AI features. Availability of Galaxy AI features may vary depending on the region/country, OS/One UI version, device model and phone carrier. ︎
2. World’s first built-in privacy display on a smartphone. Must be enabled in settings. Privacy Display feature controls the screen’s viewing range to limit peripheral vision. Some changes in image quality may occur outside the viewing range. When activated, some information may still be visible to others depending on the viewing environment, such as angle or brightness. Caution is advised when exposing sensitive information. ︎
3. Snapdragon branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. ︎
4. AP performance improvements shown compared to Galaxy S25 Ultra. Actual performance will depend on user environment, conditions and pre-installed software and applications. ︎
5. Now Nudge feature requires a Samsung Account login. Available functions and features may vary by country, region and language. Text message prompts currently available with Samsung Messages and certain third-party messaging apps including Google Messages and Google Chat. Based on availability at the time of product launch. May change without notice. Share photos in Now Nudge works by analyzing available image content. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. ︎
6. Now Brief feature requires Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, device model, apps. Some features may require a network connection. The description of photos provided by moments may not align with the user’s intent. Notifications must be switched on to be used as the recalled data. Recalled data available from supported app notifications, Messages, Gmail and Samsung Wallet and data collected from Gmail is only applicable if the user consents to Personal Data Intelligent’s Gmail read permission. Recalled data for reservation details only available from reservation confirmation messages. ︎
7. Availability may vary by region/country and language. ︎
8. Results may vary depending on light condition and/or shooting conditions including multiple subjects, being out of focus or moving subjects. ︎
9. Super Steady results may vary depending on editing method and/or shooting conditions. ︎
10. Photo Assist may require a network connection and Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language or device model. Photo Assist may result in a resized photo. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image output upon saving in order to indicate that the image is generated by AI. The accuracy and reliability of the generated output is not guaranteed. ︎
11. Creative Studio feature requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language or device model. The accuracy and reliability of the generated output is not guaranteed. Sticker sets only compatible with Samsung Keyboard and can only be shared via Quick Share feature with other Galaxy devices that have One UI 5.0 or later installed and Quick Share app version 13.8.50.x or later. ︎
12. Galaxy Buds are available to connect as Bluetooth Audio regardless of OS, but to configure advanced settings, Galaxy Buds must be paired with a smartphone with Android 10.0 or above and a minimum of 1.5GB of memory.​ Advanced settings on the quick panel or Buds menu in Settings include Noise Control, Adaptive EQ, Pinch Control and software update. ​Some features are only available on compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphones.​ Android is a trademark of Google LLC. ︎
13. Based on global ear data research conducted by Samsung Design Innovation Center. ︎
14. Available on Buds4 Pro. ︎
15. AI features require a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone. ︎
16. Availability may vary by country, region, and carrier. Color availability may vary depending on country or carrier. ︎
17. Terms and conditions apply. Samsung Care+ coverage, service type and promotion details may vary by country/region and deductible (service fee) may apply. To be eligible for Samsung Care+ promotion benefit, registration may be required. For detailed Samsung Care+ information, please visit https://www.samsung.com/samsung-care-plus/ ︎

‘#TeamGalaxy Connect’ is an event where influencers — who actively use Galaxy products to create content across themes like camera, gaming, health, and fashion and beauty — become the first to experience the newly announced products on-site and create and share authentic stories. The event was attended by approximately 140 #TeamGalaxy influencers from 35 countries around the world, who were able to experience the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

Experiencing the Infinite Possibilities of the AI Phone

The #TeamGalaxy Connect 2026 journey began with the ‘Galaxy Unpacked February 2026’ event, where #TeamGalaxy influencers experienced the new products firsthand and shared real-time reviews of the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy Buds4 Pro on social media.

Fans worldwide expressed particular excitement for the innovative features showcased at the Unpacked event, including the Privacy Display and Photo Assist on Galaxy S26 Ultra, as well as the premium Hi-Fi sound experience of Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

Galaxy S26 Ultra: The Ultimate Tool for Creators

Among the attendees was renowned one-person film production influencer Monique Yvonne (@moniqueyvonn), who shared an exclusive behind-the-scene story about the production of a film created with Galaxy S26 Ultra. The trailer of the film was showcased during the Unpacked event.

“Galaxy S26 Ultra transcends the traditional smartphone; it is a professional-grade tool meticulously designed for creators,” Monique remarked during an inspiration session with #TeamGalaxy influencers. “With its sophisticated AI integration and unrivaled camera performance, I expect it to enable even more creative and elevated content production.”

Reimagining Innovation through Camera, Gaming and Sound

Throughout the event, #TeamGalaxy influencers embarked on tailored content creation journeys, pushing the boundaries of Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy Buds4 Pro through three core themes — camera, gaming and sound.

#TeamGalaxy Connect 2026 sparked immediate global engagement, with various content capturing global audience’s attention. Highlighting Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera and AI features, influencer Mohamad Sofian (@sofyank96) created content with high-quality visual effects. Meanwhile, another influencer Ry Velasco (@ryvlsco) creatively showcased Galaxy Buds4 Pro’s Hi-Fi sound against the vibrant atmosphere of San Francisco. Furthermore, official #PlayGalaxy Cup livestream, featuring #TeamGalaxy influencers and top North American gaming clans 100 Thieve and Offline TV, recorded 16.77 million views, captivating the global gaming community.

A Celebration of Creativity and Global Connection

The three-day experience culminated in an evening of celebration, where the #TeamGalaxy influencers gathered to celebrate the diverse content produced during the journey. The night featured an awards ceremony that honored the most creative and impactful contributions, ending the #TeamGalaxy Connect 2026 on a high note of inspiration and shared vision.

David Moon, Head of the Influencer Marketing Group, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. “Seeing Galaxy’s innovation through unique and diverse lenses of our global #TeamGalaxy influencers has been an incredibly rewarding experience. We remain committed to bringing the everyday joys of Galaxy to fans around the world through the engagement with #TeamGalaxy.”

Samsung Electronics’ third-generation AI phone brings those possibilities to life. Powered by true agentic AI that understands context and anticipates user needs, the Galaxy S26 series makes everyday experiences more intuitive and convenient.

Samsung Newsroom highlights the key features that expand what’s possible with the Galaxy S26 series in the videos below.

Privacy Display: Built-In Screen Protection

Agentic AI: Context-Aware, Proactive Assistance

Camera and Editing: Smarter With AI

Creative Studio: Personalized Content Creation

Marking the third generation of Samsung’s Galaxy AI phone, the Galaxy S26 series combines the most powerful performance in Galaxy S series history with the most intuitive AI experience to date.

Samsung Newsroom got an early hands-on look at the Galaxy S26 series during Galaxy Unpacked 2026.

Design: Sleeker and Lighter Than Ever

The Galaxy S26 series makes a strong first impression with its refined, modern aesthetic, featuring a rounded curvature and cohesive color palette that create a unified design identity across the lineup.

The slimmer, lighter build is equally notable. Galaxy S26 Ultra is 0.3 mm thinner than its predecessor and weighs 214 grams. Its slimmer profile enhances portability while maintaining a secure, comfortable grip.

Display: Privacy From Every Angle

Debuting on Galaxy S26 Ultra, Privacy Display limits side-angle viewing without the need for a separate screen protector. The display remains clear from the front while restricting visibility from the sides to help shield on-screen content from nearby onlookers.

Users can also assign the Privacy Display to the side button’s double-press function for greater convenience. Even when viewed from the side, content stays concealed — making it especially useful on crowded public transportation or in elevators.

Galaxy AI: Intuitive AI for Everyone

Galaxy AI stands out on the Galaxy S26 series, combining enhanced contextual awareness with proactive suggestions to simplify everyday tasks.

The new Now Nudge feature reduces app switching by surfacing relevant information in context. When a friend asks about evening plans on messaging apps, Galaxy AI checks the calendar, detects conflicts and displays a tailored “Nudge” pop-up.

A fan favorite since its debut on the Galaxy S24 series, Circle to Search has evolved to support multi-element searches. Circling a celebrity’s outfit, for example, generates curated pieces to recreate the look.

The Galaxy S26 series further expands its AI ecosystem with Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity. For example, users can use natural language commands to adjust settings, allowing them to effortlessly control their device even without knowing exact setting names or specific commands. Saying “My eyes feel tired,” for instance, prompts Bixby to suggest activating Eye comfort shield — eliminating the need to navigate complex menus. Together, these agents understand user intent and context to streamline daily routines, reducing steps and delivering a more seamless, efficient mobile experience.

Camera: Pro-Level Capture, Powered by AI

The Galaxy S26 series marks another leap in mobile photography. Powered by advanced AI, the device enables effortless capture and editing of high-quality content — no expertise required.

Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 200-megapixel (MP) wide-angle camera and a 50 MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and 10x optical-quality zoom, complemented by a wider aperture for enhanced low-light clarity. With upgraded Nightography, even a recreated San Francisco nightscape inside the exhibition hall appeared vivid and detailed despite dim surroundings. The AI ISP (Image Signal Processor), previously used in the rear camera, also extends to the front camera, capturing fine details — from individual hair strands to eyebrows — while preserving natural skin tones.

Beyond capture, the Galaxy S26 series expands creative possibilities. Powered by Galaxy AI, it provides an intuitive environment that turns ideas into finished results in moments.

The upgraded Photo Assist goes further — removing unwanted objects and naturally adding new elements. When prompted to restore a cake with a bite taken out, AI seamlessly reconstructs it as if untouched. The feature can also transform day into night or adjust wardrobe details to match the mood, enabling faster, more effortless editing.

With Creative Studio, edited photos can be turned into polished content. Users can simply type a prompt — such as “Please draw me a dog” — to generate a context-based sticker set, ready for use in messages or when editing photos. The feature also supports invitations, profile cards and wallpapers, expanding everyday creative possibilities in the future.

Starting with the Galaxy S24 series, the Galaxy S series has ushered in a new era of AI phones. With the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung introduces its third-generation AI phone — delivering personalized experiences that go beyond intent recognition. Featuring the most powerful performance and the most intuitive Galaxy AI to date, the Galaxy S26 series opens a new chapter in mobile innovation.