Samsung Galaxy S26 Launches; Ultra Hits 70% of Pre-Orders

Seoul, South Korea — Samsung Electronics announced Wednesday the global retail availability of its Galaxy S26 smartphone line and Galaxy Buds4 audio series.

The company reported that pre-orders rose by double digits from previous generations.

According to the company, the Galaxy S26 Ultra comprised more than 70 percent of total global pre-orders.

The smartphone lineup consists of the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra models. The company described these devices as its third-generation mobile phones with integrated artificial intelligence features.

The S26 Ultra is equipped with a customized Qualcomm processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy.

According to Samsung, the processor offers enhanced performance in central processing, graphics processing, and neural processing compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

The Ultra model features a "Privacy Display," which, according to Samsung, employs hardware and software to control the screen’s viewing range at the pixel level, restricting visibility from side angles.

The S26 series includes software features within Samsung’s "Galaxy AI" system, such as "Now Nudge" for context-based suggestions and "Now Brief" for consolidating notifications into event reminders.

Camera features include low-light video capabilities, referred to as "Nightography," and a "Super Steady" video stabilization mode with a horizontal lock.

The devices also include artificial intelligence–based editing tools that permit users to modify images using text descriptions.

Samsung also released the Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro earbuds, both featuring a "blade" design with engraved pinch controls.

According to the company, the design was developed using over 10,000 simulations based on hundreds of millions of global ear data points.

The Pro model features a wider woofer, an adaptive equalizer, and active noise cancellation.

The S26 series is available in Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue at retail locations. Pink Gold and Silver Shadow are exclusive to Samsung’s website.

The Buds4 series is available in White and Black, with a Pink Gold option for the Pro model offered exclusively online.