The much-anticipated Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event will take place in San Francisco today, where Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra.

The flagship lineup is expected to emphasise artificial intelligence integration under Samsung’s Galaxy AI ecosystem, focusing on productivity, photography, and personalised device experiences.

Privacy display feature debuts on Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is generating the most online attention due to its new privacy display technology.

The feature is designed to prevent “shoulder surfing” by limiting screen visibility from side angles. Using advanced OLED panel control, the display can scatter light directionally so that content appears clear from the front but darkens when viewed sideways.

Samsung reportedly uses Flex Magic Pixel technology combined with software control and AI optimisation to enable this functionality.

The feature offers two modes — standard privacy protection for everyday use and maximum protection for sensitive content. Users may also apply privacy settings selectively to specific apps or notification areas.

Unlike traditional privacy screen protectors, this system is built directly into the hardware display and can be toggled on or off, avoiding colour dulling and brightness loss.

Performance and camera expectations

Regional variants may run on either the Exynos 2600 processor or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, continuing Samsung’s dual-chip strategy.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is likely to retain a 200-megapixel primary camera sensor, with improvements expected mainly in image processing and low-light performance rather than hardware overhaul.

Display upgrades are also anticipated, with rumours suggesting M14 AMOLED panels offering higher brightness and improved energy efficiency.

Pricing expectations in India

  • Galaxy S26: around Rs 79,999 – Rs 82,999
  • Galaxy S26 Plus: around Rs 99,999
  • Galaxy S26 Ultra: around Rs 1,29,999

The pricing strategy appears similar to the previous generation to maintain competitiveness in the premium smartphone segment.

More than smartphones

Alongside the flagship phones, Samsung may also launch Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, featuring AI-driven audio enhancements, improved battery life, and better sound tuning.

The Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event begins at 10 am PT (11:30 pm IST) and will be livestreamed on Samsung’s official platforms.

The launch marks Samsung’s push to position AI as the core differentiator in its premium smartphone ecosystem.