Late March in Stellenbosch brings with it a kind of weather that feels curated for joy – warm sunshine, crisp blue skies and just enough of an autumn breeze to keep the energy flowing. It’s the kind of day that begs for picnic blankets, shared laughter and soundtracks that carry long after sunset.

Galaxy KDay is a family-friendly festival, blending world-class entertainment with immersive tech experiences. From kids darting between activity zones to adults soaking in live performances, the event offers something for every generation.

The Galaxy KDay stage will be the centrepiece of a rich mix of South African stars and rising voices that hit every note. From soulful storytelling to high-energy dance sets, the line-up is a great rhyme to Mzansi’s music culture.

With just days to go, anticipation is nearing its peak, with festival outfits and essentials being assembled in the Mother City. The countdown to Galaxy KDay is officially on, and Stellenbosch is ready to play host to a memorable gathering.

Beyond the music and festivities, Galaxy KDay offers a glimpse into what’s next. Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to experience the new Samsung Galaxy S26 series, and explore how the new era of the AI phone is designed to simplify, enhance, and elevate everyday life.

As the sun sets at the picturesque Stellenbosch, and the final notes echo across Sandringham Farm, Galaxy KDay will leave behind more than just great photos – it will be a collection of shared experiences and beautiful stories.

Galaxy S26 Ultra: Where Innovation Leads

Galaxy S26 Ultra brings together Samsung’s most advanced innovation in a single device – powerful performance, an excellent camera system, enhanced intuitive Galaxy AI and the Samsung’s first mobile phone with a built-in Privacy Display².

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.

Built for extended performance, Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers the most powerful performance on a Galaxy S series yet, powered by a customised mobile processor — Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy³ — with significant gains⁴ across the CPU, GPU and NPU⁵ 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 Nudge⁶ provide proactive and relevant context-aware suggestions, while Now Brief⁷ surfaces timely reminders for important events. A choice of agents⁸ also helps users to complete tasks with a single button press or voice prompt.

Galaxy S26 Ultra builds on Samsung’s best camera system, seamlessly integrating capture, editing and sharing into one intuitive workflow. Nightography video,⁹ keeps footage vibrant even in low light, and Super Steady,¹⁰ which comes with a new horizontal lock option for greater stability, even during dynamic movement. Editing is just as easy and straightforward. With the upgraded Photo Assist,¹¹ users can refine images and express their creativity by simply describing what they want in their own words, while Creative Studio¹² empowers users to easily turn their ideas into polished visuals — from stickers and invitations to personalised 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 control¹³ and ultra-sleek ergonomic fit. Powerful hardware and software innovations on the Buds4 Pro such as a wider woofer and an enhanced Adaptive Equaliser and Active Noise Cancellation¹⁴ produce rich full-spectrum sound true to the original recording. With the integration of several AI agents¹⁵and intuitive hands-free controls, the Buds4 series becomes a natural companion to Galaxy S26, extending everyday experiences beyond the phone.

Starting March 20, the Galaxy S26 series is available¹⁶ through carriers, retailers Samsung Shop App and Samsung.com. The Galaxy S26 series features a unified design language across all models, with shared colour options including Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue alongside the Samsung.com-exclusive Pink Gold and Silver Shadow.

The Galaxy S26 series is available at these recommended retail prices¹⁷:

• Galaxy S26 Ultra from R30,999¹⁷
• Galaxy S26+ from R25,999¹⁷
• Galaxy S26 from R20,999¹⁷

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

The series is available at these recommended retail prices¹⁸.

• Galaxy Buds4 – R3,499¹⁸
• Galaxy Buds4 Pro – R4,999¹⁸

For added peace of mind, Samsung Care+¹⁹ offers comprehensive coverage that protects the devices’ value, including repairs for accidental damage, extended warranty, and certified expert support available both at home and abroad.

To experience the powerful performance of the newly launched Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy Buds4 series, head over to a Galaxy Hangouts Cube in your city. Hosted at various malls and venues in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Umhlanga and Cape Town until 26 April 2026, Hangouts Cube is an immersive, sensory-led journey built around the Galaxy S26 series, showcasing Galaxy AI capabilities in unexpected ways.

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] Samsung’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] A CPU performance increase of up to 19% means the Galaxy S26 Ultra responds more quickly and handles complex workloads intelligently, even when multiple tasks are running at once. A 39% improvement in NPU performance powers always-on Galaxy AI features that run seamlessly, allowing users to move between tasks without lag or interruption. A 24% boost in GPU performance delivers richer visuals and more fluid gameplay.

[6] 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.

[7] 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.

[8] Availability may vary by region/country and language.

[9] Results may vary depending on light condition and/or shooting conditions including multiple subjects, being out of focus or moving subjects.

[10] Super Steady results may vary depending on editing method and/or shooting conditions.

[11] 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.

[12]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.

[13] 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.

[14] Available on Buds4 Pro.

[15] AI features require a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone.

[16] Availability may vary by country, region, and carrier. Colour availability may vary depending on country or carrier.

[17] Recommended retail price only. Prices may vary per retailer.

[18] Recommended retail prices only. Prices may vary per retailer.

[19] 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/

As the slimmest Ultra yet², the Galaxy S26 Ultra is not just engineered for performance and design excellence. It is designed for real-life scenarios. In a country where mobile phones are the gateway to banking, business, healthcare, and connection, Privacy Display helps you keep what is yours private.

Privacy Display represents a fundamental shift in mobile display technology. By controlling how pixels disperse light, the screen remains bright, crisp, and comfortable for the user, while limiting what others can see from side viewing angles when activated.

Unlike traditional stick-on privacy filters that dim screens and degrade clarity, Samsung’s built-in solution endeavours to preserve full viewing quality. When activated, Privacy Display instantly reduces side-angle visibility without compromising brightness or colour accuracy. The protection works seamlessly in both portrait and landscape mode, adapting naturally to how people use their phones.

Built for South Africa’s Everyday Moments

From catching the Gautrain in Johannesburg to working remotely in a Cape Town café, people are constantly connected in shared spaces. Privacy Display is purpose-built for these everyday realities.

Imagine making an EFT while commuting on a packed bus in Sandton or in a crowded waiting room, checking sensitive work emails in a busy airport lounge at OR Tambo, or simply having a confidential WhatsApp conversation in a restaurant. This amazing feature gives you that personal digital bubble, even in the most public environments.

Privacy Display works hand-in-hand with Samsung’s software intelligence to give users complete control over when and how privacy protection activates.

Users can:

• Automatically activate Privacy Display when entering a PIN or password
• Trigger protection when opening specific apps such as banking, email or messaging

Choose adjustable privacy levels

• Partial Screen Privacy to shield notification pop-ups
• Maximum Privacy Protection for enhanced side-view shielding

The Protection that Adapts to Context When You Need It, Is Here

Privacy Display reinforces Samsung’s commitment to safeguarding personal information at every layer of the experience. With the introduction of this feature, Samsung is once again redefining what its flagship mobile phone can be, while ensuring that privacy travels with those on the move.

The Galaxy S26 series is available for pre-order now until 19 March 2026. Customers who pre-order can double their storage and save up to R5,000 in an exclusive limited-time offer³.

The Galaxy S26 series comes in Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue, and is available at these recommended retail prices⁴:

• Galaxy S26 Ultra from R30,999
• Galaxy S26+ from R25,999
• Galaxy S26 from R20,999

The era of the AI phone has arrived. Pre-Order yours now!

^[1] 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.
^[2] 78.1 X 163.6 X 7.9mm
^[3] Terms and Conditions apply.
^[4] Recommended retail price only. Prices may vary per retailer.

▲ The Galaxy S26 series (from left) Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26

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 Galaxy S26 series showcases a unified look. (From left) Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26

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.

▲ The Galaxy S26 series comes in Cobalt Violet, Black, Sky Blue and White.

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.

▲ Users can adjust the level of privacy protection in the settings and apply it selectively when entering a PIN, pattern or password, or when notification pop-ups appear

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.

▲ Photo Assist restores images using AI-powered 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.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Feb 25, 2026 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the Galaxy S26 series, powered by the most proactive and adaptive Galaxy AI^[1] experiences yet and designed to simplify the tasks people do on their phones every day. From managing plans and finding information to capturing and refining content, Galaxy S26 series reduces the effort and number of steps required to get things done. As Samsung’s third-generation AI phones, Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra, handle complex tasks in the background, allowing users to focus on results rather than how the technology works.

The Galaxy S26 series was engineered with Samsung’s most advanced capabilities working together as one: incredible performance, an intuitive camera system and Galaxy AI. This provides a strong foundation that gives Galaxy S26 users the confidence to depend on their phone throughout the day without compromising security or privacy.

Building on Samsung’s decades of innovation in display technology, the Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces the industry’s first built-in Privacy Display for mobile phones to unlock a new class of display experiences and reinforce Samsung’s commitment to privacy at a pixel level. The Galaxy S26 Ultra also delivers a customised chipset and upgraded thermal management that enable faster and more powerful AI — all wrapped up in the slimmest Ultra yet.

Together, these choices allow the Galaxy S26 series to deliver the most powerful Galaxy experience yet.

“We believe AI should be something people can depend on every day, designed to work consistently for everyone and without the need for expertise,” said TM Roh, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “With the Galaxy S26 series, we focused on making AI feel effortless by designing it to complete tasks naturally, working quietly in the background so people can focus on what matters.”

Powerful Performance Designed Around Everyday Use

Engineered for all-day performance, the Galaxy S26 series is built on the most powerful hardware ever on a Galaxy S series, powered by a customised chipset. Across the line-up, the Galaxy S26 series is engineered for AI performance, power efficiency and thermal management, ensuring demanding tasks run smoothly and consistently, so users can rely on their device when it matters.

On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a customised mobile processor — Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy^[2] — delivers the best performance ever in its class with significant gains across CPU, GPU, and NPU to support faster, smoother experiences that keep up throughout the day.

A CPU performance increase of up to 19%^[3] means the Galaxy S26 Ultra responds more quickly and handles complex workloads intelligently, even when multiple tasks are running at once. A 39% improvement in NPU performance powers always-on Galaxy AI features that run seamlessly, allowing users to move between tasks without lag or interruption. A 24% boost in GPU performance delivers richer visuals and more fluid gameplay.

To sustain this level of performance, Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces a redesigned Vapor Chamber with thermal interface material positioned along the sides of the processor, allowing heat to spread more efficiently across a larger surface area. This improves^[4] heat dissipation to keep the device cool and consistent, even during demanding activities such as gaming, multitasking and video capture. To support all-day use, the Galaxy S26 Ultra also brings Super-Fast Charging 3.0, minimising downtime by reaching up to 75% charge in just 30 minutes^[5].

Embedded into the processor, Samsung’s proprietary technologies enhance visual performance. ProScaler^[6] improves image scaling so photos and videos appear richer and clearer at a glance by sharpening text and fine detail while smoothing textures. Additionally, Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) delivers more subtle and lifelike colours thanks to image processing with four times the precision compared to the previous generation.

Taken together, these advancements deliver dependable all-day performance, making every action feel effortless.

Galaxy’s Best Camera System Yet

The Galaxy S26 series brings the same focus on intuitive interaction to creativity and productivity, delivered through the best Galaxy camera system ever. With an approach that integrates content capture, editing and sharing into a single, seamless experience, creativity feels more natural and accessible even without professional tools or technical knowledge.

On Galaxy S26 Ultra, wider camera apertures^[7] allow more light to reach the sensor, delivering clearer photos with richer details in low-light conditions, even when zoomed in. Enhanced Nightography Video^[8] keeps footage clearer and more vibrant even in dim scenes, whether capturing concerts indoors or recording moments around a campfire after sunset. Video capture is further enhanced with upgraded Super Steady^[9] capabilities, which add a horizontal lock option for greater stability and to make consistent framing easier to achieve, even with bumpy trails or fast-paced activities. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the first Galaxy device to support APV, a new professional-grade video codec designed to deliver efficient compression for high-quality production workflows. Optimised for advanced creators, it ensures visually lossless video quality that stays true even after repeated editing.

Improvements to the AI ISP^[10] now extend to the selfie camera, capturing more natural skin tones and finer detail in mixed lighting.

Editing photos and videos is just as easy and straightforward, with AI-powered tools built into familiar workflows so users can make changes quickly and unlock their creativity without design expertise.

With the upgraded Photo Assist^[11] suite, users can simply describe what they want to change in their own words. Changing the scene from day to night is just a matter of asking. It can also add to images and restore missing parts of objects like a bite taken out of a cake. Personal details, such as a spill on clothing, can also be cleaned up with Galaxy AI’s new ability to change outfits in photos. Edits can now be made continuously, reviewed step by step, and easily adjusted or undone along the way, making the process feel fluid rather than final.

Creative Studio^[12] builds on this simplicity by bringing creation and customisation into one integrated space, making it easy to act on ideas when inspiration strikes. Starting from a sketch, photo or prompt, users can quickly turn ideas into polished visuals — from stickers and invitations to personalised wallpapers — and refine or share them without switching tools or interrupting creative flow.

The Galaxy S26 series also simplifies frequent visual tasks with AI-powered tools like the Document Scanner, which removes distortions and distractions such as creases or fingers to deliver clean scans instantly. Multiple images can be organised automatically into a single PDF, making it easy to digitise receipts, forms or notes.

Everyday Ease With Proactive And Adaptive Galaxy AI

The Galaxy S26 series is designed to make frequently used experiences feel straightforward and user-friendly, with Galaxy AI reducing the steps between intent and action. It works more proactively and seamlessly on the user’s behalf based on context, surfacing the right support at the right moment and automating tasks with minimal manual input. As the technology fades and handles tasks in the background, users can focus on the results.

With Now Nudge^[13], timely and relevant suggestions help users stay in the flow without being distracted. If a friend asks for photos from a recent trip, Galaxy S26 automatically suggests photos from the Gallery, removing the need to search through albums or switch between apps. When receiving a message about a meeting, Galaxy S26 can recognise related Calendar entries and check for conflicts.

On the Galaxy S26 series, Now Brief^[14] has become more proactive and personalised^[15]. The Now Brief widget recommends exercise playlists and surfaces timely reminders for important events based on personal context.

Searching for information is also easier than ever. Circle to Search with Google^[16] on the Galaxy S26 series has been upgraded with enhanced multi-object recognition, so users can now explore more deeply on multiple parts of an image at once. If users spot a look they love, the feature also identifies everything from the jacket to the shoes, all in one search.

The Galaxy S26 series integrates a choice of agents, including Bixby^[17], Gemini and Perplexity. Once set up, tasks can be completed with a single button press or voice prompt. The series features an upgraded Bixby as a conversational device agent, making it easier than ever to interact with Galaxy devices. Galaxy S26 can also handle multi-step tasks in the background, streamlining the process on the user’s behalf. For example, with Gemini, requesting a ride or booking a taxi^[18] is as simple as asking, reviewing the details and tapping confirm. These assistants support tasks such as searching, coordinating actions across apps, and controlling device settings through natural interaction.

Together, these proactive, personalised and adaptive experiences lay the foundation for more agentic AI experiences — setting the stage for Galaxy devices to become trusted companions that understand and anticipate user needs.

Layers of Protection in the Age of AI

As mobile experiences become more personalised thanks to AI, protecting user privacy becomes even more critical. Samsung builds protection into every layer of the Galaxy S26, keeping personal data secure while giving users transparency and control over how their information is used.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces privacy at the pixel level with the mobile industry’s first built-in Privacy Display^[19], a breakthrough in display technology that fundamentally changes how privacy can be protected on a phone. Designed for everyday situations like transit, cafés and shared environments, Privacy Display goes beyond anything previously available on mobile devices — hardware and software working as one to protect privacy without compromising the viewing experience.

By controlling how pixels disperse light, the display keeps content clear, bright and comfortable for the user in everyday use, while limiting what others can see. Unlike traditional stick-on privacy films, Galaxy’s integrated Privacy Display preserves full viewing quality from all directions when off, and limits visibility for others from side viewing angles when activated, even when switching between portrait and landscape orientation.

Users can customise when it turns on — such as when entering PINs and passwords or opening selected apps — and adjust privacy levels depending on the situation. Partial Screen Privacy intelligently limits visibility for notification pop-ups, while Maximum Privacy Protection further obscures side views for added discretion, all with minimal impact on power or usability.

The Galaxy S26 series also brings smarter software safeguards that work quietly in the background. AI-powered Call Screening^[20] identifies unknown callers and summarises intent, making it easier to safely manage calls. Privacy Alerts use machine learning to proactively notify users in real time when apps with device admin privileges unnecessarily attempt to access sensitive data, such as precise location, call logs or contacts. These alerts help users quickly understand when apps are seeking deeper access, so they can manage permissions with greater clarity and control.

Private Album, built directly into Gallery, lets users easily hide selected photos and videos without creating a separate folder or signing into a Samsung Account. To stay ahead of emerging threats, the Galaxy S26 also extends Samsung’s innovation in post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to critical system processes, including software verification and firmware protection, strengthening device integrity for the future.

New updates to Knox Matrix further strengthen protection across connected Galaxy devices, adding PQC-enabled end-to-end encryption for direct transfers like eSIM migrations and clearer visibility into firmware update status across the ecosystem through Security Status of Your Devices.

These experiences are supported by Samsung Knox, the multi-layer security platform that protects Galaxy devices from the chip level up. For on-device Galaxy AI, Personal Data Engine (PDE) enables context-aware, personalised AI experiences. To keep this process safe, Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP) encrypts each app’s data, while Knox Vault adds a physical layer of protection that isolates sensitive data inside its own secure hardware. Together with settings that let users choose how AI features operate, Galaxy S26 combines hardware and software to deliver a comprehensive, system-wide approach designed to keep personal data protected.

These updates build on Galaxy’s existing security and privacy portfolio which includes Auto Blocker, Theft Protection, Private Sharing, Secure Wi-Fi and more. These layers of protection are designed to give users greater transparency, choice and control through Samsung’s continued mobile security innovation in the age of AI. And with seven years of security updates, Galaxy S26 helps keep these layers resilient over time — supporting longer, more confident use well into the years ahead.

The Galaxy S26’s ease of use continues even when the phone is out of reach. The new Galaxy Buds4 series is a natural companion to the Galaxy S26, extending everyday experiences beyond the phone while delivering rich and immersive hi-fi sound. When Galaxy S26 is paired with Galaxy Buds4, interactions can continue naturally in moments when using hands isn’t practical. Users can activate AI agents^[21] with their voices, manage calls through simple Head Gestures^[22] on Buds4 Pro, and stay connected without breaking their flow.

Availability

The Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26+ and S26 will be available for pre-orders from 26 February to 19 March 2026. You can double your storage and save up to R5,000 in an exclusive pre-order offer. The Galaxy S26 series features a unified design language across all models, with shared colour options including Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue^[23].

For added peace of mind, Samsung Care+^[24] offers comprehensive coverage from a once off fee of just R799. Samsung Care+ is optimised to users’ device needs, including fast repairs for accidental damage, extended warranty, and certified expert support available both at home and abroad. This ensures a seamless mobile lifestyle and provides lasting protection that safeguards the value of Galaxy devices.

The Galaxy S26 series will be available at these recommended retail prices; Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB from R30,999, Galaxy S26 Plus 256GB from R25,999, and Galaxy S26 256GB from R20,999^[25].

SPECIFICATION TABLE

*Specifications may vary by market.

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

*This article contains products and features currently in development. The plans, product claims, timelines, and specifications described are subject to change without notice. Their future availability is not guaranteed.

^{[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] Snapdragon branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.}

^{[3] AP performance improvements shown compared to Galaxy S25 Ultra. Actual performance will depend on user environment, conditions and pre-installed software and applications.}

^{[4] Vapor Chamber performance improvements shown compared to Galaxy S25 Ultra. Actual performance will depend on user environment, conditions and pre-installed software and applications.}

^{[5] Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated capacity is 4,855 mAh for Galaxy S26 Ultra.}

^{[6] ProScaler feature is supported on Galaxy S26+ and S26 Ultra models. Image quality can be enhanced up to QHD+, depending on the screen resolution setting of the device.}

^{[7] 47% more light on 200MP Wide camera and 37% on 50MP Telephoto (5x Optical Zoom) camera on Galaxy S26 Ultra. Brightness improvements shown are compared to Galaxy S25 Ultra.}

^{[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] Results may vary depending on light condition and/or shooting conditions including multiple subjects, being out of focus or moving subjects.}

^{[11] 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.}

^{[12] 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.}

^{[13] 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.}

^{[14] 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.}

^{[15] Compared to previous models.}

^{[16] Circle to Search is a trademark of Google LLC. Results for illustrative purposes only. Available on select devices and internet connection required. Works on compatible apps and surfaces. Result may vary depending on visual matches. Check responses for accuracy.}

^{[17] Bixby service availability requires Samsung Account login and data connection. Available functions and features may vary by country, region, and language. Bixby only recognises certain accents and dialects of English (UK), English (US), English (India), French (France), German (Germany), Italian (Italy), Japanese (Japan), Korean (South Korea), Mandarin Chinese (China), Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), and Spanish (Latin America). Other supported languages may be added in the future. Not all accents, dialects, and expressions may be recognised, and actual performance may vary depending on pronunciation, voice level, and the surrounding environment. Use of Bixby may be limited in certain situations such as when recording media (Video/Game/Voice), during calls, Maximum Power Saving mode, Emergency mode and Samsung Kids. Service availability may vary by country/service provider/language/device model/OS version. Bixby controls selected apps, other apps to be supported. To control SmartThings enabled devices with Bixby, first connect the devices to the SmartThings app. For more information, visit the SmartThings website (www.samsung.com/smartthings).}

^{[18] Availability may vary by country, region, language device model, OS/One UI version.}

^{[19] 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.}

^{[20] Call Screening feature for Call Assist may vary by country, region and language. Feature may need to be manually activated in select regions.}

^{[21] AI features require compatible Samsung Galaxy phone.}

^{[22] Default is set as off. User can turn on Head Gestures through the Galaxy Wearable app.}

^{[23] Colour availability may vary depending on country or carrier.}

^{[24] 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/.}

^{[25] Recommended retail prices only. Prices may vary per retailer.}