The Galaxy S26 is faster, more expensive, and even more chock-full of AI
Ars Technica
by
Ryan Whitwam
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26, has been unveiled as the latest iteration of the company’s flagship Android phones. While the hardware upgrades are modest, with only cosmetic tweaks and slightly improved internals compared to last year’s models, Samsung is doubling down on AI integration, calling these devices the first “agentic AI phones.” The series features faster performance, enhanced privacy, and a stronger focus on AI capabilities, making them appealing to tech-savvy consumers. However, the price tags have also increased, with two of the three models seeing a $100 hike compared to last year.
The Galaxy S26 family retains much of its familiar design from previous iterations, with subtle changes in measurements and aesthetics that might be hard to notice at first glance. The Ultra model has reverted from titanium to aluminum for its frame, aligning it more closely with Apple’s recent material choices for its high-end devices. Other notable features include the continued inclusion of the S Pen stylus for the Ultra, which caters to users who rely on this functionality. Despite these incremental changes, Samsung’s
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Originally published on Ars Technica on 2/25/2026