Hardly anybody bought Samsung's last smartphones for AI. It hopes this year's models change that
The Register
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Samsung's latest Galaxy S26 series aims to boost sales by integrating more compelling AI features after last year's flagships underperformed in the AI department. While only 20% of buyers cited AI as their main reason for purchasing the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung is betting on this year's models to change that narrative. However, the company's primary focus remains battery life, which was identified as a key "pain point" by customers. This time around, only the base model receives an upgraded 4,300 mAh battery, while the S26 Ultra and S26+ rely on faster charging solutions.
The new handsets introduce several privacy-focused innovations, including a "privacy display" feature on the S26 Ultra that makes it difficult to read screens from angles. This is achieved through a mix of narrow and wide pixels, with the latter being turned off for private viewing. Users can apply this mode to specific screen areas or apps, potentially enhancing security in scenarios like banking or business communications. Samsung's AI has also been improved to act as a personal organizer, offering features like suggesting Uber rides based on calendar events or proposing meeting times with friends. Additionally, the AI can handle incoming calls from unknown numbers by engaging in conversation and providing automated responses.
The S26 series also includes an enhanced scanning app that uses AI to remove creases from scanned documents while retaining OCR capabilities. This, along with tools for tidying up photos, stabilizing video recordings when phones are moved, and analyzing screenshots to recommend where to buy items, highlights Samsung's focus on user-centric innovation. Enterprise buyers are not overlooked, as Samsung offers three-year warranties on the Galaxy S26 Enterprise editions and provides enhanced fleet management tools for device updates.
Under the hood, all S26 Ultra units come with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, which powers key AI features through its beefed-up NPU. While Samsung aims to use more of its own Exynos processors, supply constraints mean they are not yet widespread across the lineup. The company's strategic move to manufacture displays in Mexico to avoid tariffs signals a broader focus on global market competitiveness.
Samsung's push for AI-driven innovation and privacy-focused features
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Originally published on The Register on 2/25/2026