Cover image via Anne Nunis/SAYS & Laila/SAYS
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Samsung has officially unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, and after getting a first look at the S26 Ultra, one thing is clear: this isn't just a spec bump
Here's what stood out during our unboxing and first impressions.
1. It's slimmer, sleeker, and surprisingly light
The S26 Ultra is officially the slimmest Ultra yet and you feel it immediately. It still has that premium, solid-in-the-hand feel, but without the bulk.
Colours this year include Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue. They look clean and understated rather than flashy.
In terms of design, there are no dramatic changes but it feels more refined.
2. The display has a built-in privacy mode and it's amazing
The biggest flex for me is that the Ultra now comes with a built-in Privacy Display.
Unlike those old-school, stick-on privacy screen protectors, this is integrated into the phone itself. When activated, it limits what people beside you can see, making it perfect for riding public transport, being in busy areas, or anywhere you're typing PINs or checking sensitive info.
Turn it off, and the screen goes back to full brightness and clarity.
It's subtle. It's practical. And honestly, I feel all phones need to follow Samsung's lead.
3. Performance is noticeably faster, especially with AI
The S26 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy. It's Samsung's customised chipset for this generation.
What that actually means in real life:
- Apps open instantly
- Switching between tasks is seamless
- Gaming looks smoother
- AI features don't lag
Samsung claims up to:
- 19% CPU boost
- 24% GPU boost
- 39% NPU boost (that's the AI brain)
It also charges to 75% in around 30 minutes, which is genuinely helpful if you're constantly out and about or a heavy phone user (like me).
4. Your photos in low-light situations and at night will look stunning
Samsung has leaned hard into night photography again.
Wider apertures mean clearer low-light photos, even when zoomed in. Nightography video looks brighter without blowing out light sources, and Super Steady now has a horizontal lock option for smoother framing.
If you film concerts, travel content, or chaotic friend moments in dim lighting, you'll definitely appreciate the upgrade.
5. Editing has become easier than ever
The upgraded Photo Assist tools let you literally describe edits in natural language. From removing stains on your clothes and restoring part of an object in a photo, to turning day into night, all you have to do is ask and it will be done.
You can even adjust edits step by step instead of committing to a one-tap change.
Creative Studio also lets you turn sketches, prompts, or photos into stickers, invites, wallpapers all in one place.
This is Samsung's third-generation AI phone, and it shows.
6. Galaxy AI feels more proactive and it's… interesting
Instead of constantly opening apps, the phone tries to surface what you need.
- Friend asks for trip photos? It suggests them automatically.
- Message about a meeting? It checks your calendar for conflicts.
- See an outfit online? Circle to Search now identifies multiple items at once.
Bixby has been upgraded too, and you can also choose other AI agents like Gemini or Perplexity to handle tasks with a simple voice request.
Of course, it's still not 100% perfect, and I still prefer to do things a little more manually. But I, for one, cannot wait for the robots to take over and run my life for me.
7. Security and privacy are at the forefront
Beyond the Privacy Display, there's:
- AI-powered call screening that summarises unknown callers
- Real-time privacy alerts if apps request sensitive data
- Private Album built into Gallery
- Post-quantum cryptography protection
- Seven years of security updates
It's a strong reminder that smarter AI needs stronger protection.
Pre-orders run from 26 February to 10 March 2026
Prices start at:
- Galaxy S26 (512GB) – RM5,199
- Galaxy S26+ (512GB) – RM6,199
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB) – RM6,799
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (1TB) – RM7,999
There are pre-order perks worth up to RM1,200, trade-in savings up to RM4,000, and 0% instalment plans available.
For more information, visit Samsung's official website.
