Samsung has announced the Galaxy S26 Series, introducing refinements across design, performance, and AI-driven features.

The lineup consists of three models: Galaxy S26 Ultra (6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X), Galaxy S26+ (6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X), and Galaxy S26 (6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X). All models support 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rates, with the Ultra offering S Pen compatibility.

The S26 Ultra leads with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor (3nm), while the S26 and S26+ use Samsung’s Exynos 2600 (2nm). Memory configurations reach up to 16GB RAM on the Ultra, with storage options up to 1TB.

Battery capacities remain consistent with previous generations: 5,000mAh on the Ultra, 4,900mAh on the Plus, and 4,300mAh on the base model. Charging improves on the Ultra with Super Fast Charging 3.0 (60W), capable of reaching approximately 75 percent in 30 minutes. Wireless charging and PowerShare functionality remain available.

Camera systems focus on computational improvements. The Ultra retains a 200MP main sensor with enhanced AI processing, stabilization, and Nightography optimizations. Generative editing tools and Audio Eraser features expand multimedia capabilities, including third-party app support for noise reduction.

Privacy Display and Private Album introduce additional privacy controls. Privacy Display restricts viewing angles at the pixel level and can be customized per app, addressing concerns about screen visibility in public spaces.

Design refinements emphasize cohesion. All models share a unified corner radius and updated material choices aimed at improving durability and heat dissipation. The Ultra is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor.

Pre-order, pricing, and availability in the Philippines

Pre-orders open February 26, 2026, with official availability following in March. Promotional offers include storage upgrades, discounts on accessories, and trade-in incentives.

Pricing in the Philippines starts at PHP58,990 for the Galaxy S26 (256GB), PHP74,990 for the Galaxy S26+ (256GB), and PHP86,990 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB). Higher storage tiers reach PHP121,990 for the 1TB Ultra variant.

Samsung positions the S26 Series as an evolution rather than a revolution — emphasizing usability, AI integration, and incremental refinement.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series – Specs 

“Our philosophy has never been about chasing specs.”

That line from Samsung’s presentation captures the Galaxy S26 Series better than any spec table.

This isn’t a year of radical hardware shifts. Battery capacities remain unchanged. Megapixel counts are familiar. The design language evolves rather than transforms.

But incremental doesn’t automatically mean irrelevant.

The S26 Ultra feels like Samsung refining its priorities — usability, privacy, and AI integration — instead of pursuing headline-grabbing numbers.

Hardware refinement, not reinvention

The Galaxy S26 series looks more unified. All three models now share the same corner radius, creating a consistent visual identity. The Ultra no longer stands apart with sharper edges. It’s a small change, but it makes the lineup feel cohesive.

The camera module sits on a more defined island rather than blending into the rear panel. It’s subtle, but noticeable in person.

Samsung also trimmed weight and thickness on the Ultra. At 7.9mm and 214 grams, it handles slightly better than last year’s model. The company switched to Light Armor Aluminum, which it claims improves heat dissipation and weight. The difference in hand isn’t dramatic, but it’s appreciated during extended use.

Charging finally moves forward. The Ultra supports 60W wired charging, up from 45W. Samsung says you can reach 75 percent in around 30 minutes. That’s a meaningful improvement for quick top-ups.

However, 60W isn’t industry-leading in 2026. Competing brands have offered similar or faster speeds for years. This feels less like Samsung setting a new benchmark and more like closing a gap.

Battery capacity remains 5,000mAh. That’s consistent with previous models. While fast charging helps daily convenience, endurance gains will depend on software optimization and real-world usage.

AI and software remain the headline

Like recent Galaxy generations, the S26 Series leans heavily on software features.

Privacy Display is one of the more practical additions. It restricts viewing angles at the pixel level, functioning like a built-in privacy filter. If you’re using your phone in public spaces, people nearby will struggle to see what’s on screen.

You can toggle the feature or enable it only for specific apps. That flexibility matters. It allows privacy protection for sensitive apps while keeping general use unaffected.

This addresses a real-world problem. Public screens are inherently visible. Privacy Display doesn’t eliminate that risk, but it reduces casual glances and unwanted observation.

Audio Eraser also gets an upgrade. It now works across third-party apps. We tested it on a noisy K-pop fancam from YouTube, and the background noise reduction was noticeable without destroying audio quality.

It’s not perfect. Overprocessing can occur in extreme cases. But for cleaning up shared videos or reducing ambient noise, it proves useful.

AI Photo Assist introduces text-prompt editing directly inside the Gallery app. Users can describe edits in natural language — remove objects, expand backgrounds, or modify elements — without exporting images to external tools.

This isn’t groundbreaking technology. Similar generative edits exist in other AI platforms. The difference is integration.

By embedding generative tools inside the Gallery, Samsung turns them into part of the default workflow. Photo editing becomes more accessible rather than requiring specialized knowledge or separate apps.

That shift is meaningful. It signals that generative AI editing is becoming a standard smartphone feature rather than an experimental add-on.

Cameras: computational evolution

The camera hardware remains familiar. The Ultra continues with a 200MP main sensor and telephoto configurations similar to last year.

Improvements focus on computational photography.

Samsung widened apertures to allow more light. Stabilization has been refined. AI sharpening and Nightography processing aim to produce cleaner images with reduced noise.

From samples shown during the presentation, low-light shots appear brighter and cleaner. However, the processing can feel aggressive. Details sometimes look overly smoothed, and textures can appear artificial.

This reflects Samsung’s long-standing approach — prioritize computational enhancements over megapixel increases. The S26 continues that philosophy.

For video creators, APV (Advanced Professional Video) enables 8K recording with minimal quality degradation during edits. Super Steady Video also improves handheld stabilization.

These features cater to content creation workflows rather than casual snapshots.

Incremental but intentional

The Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t try to shock. It doesn’t reinvent Samsung’s design language or introduce dramatic hardware leaps.

Instead, it refines existing ideas.

Privacy Display addresses public visibility concerns. Audio Eraser improves real-world video cleanup. AI Photo Assist integrates generative editing into everyday photo workflows. Charging speeds improve without industry-leading ambitions.

Even the design changes — unified corner radii, a defined camera island, lighter materials — emphasize cohesion.

This strategy resembles the broader shift in the smartphone industry. Hardware innovation has slowed. Software and usability improvements drive differentiation.

Samsung appears comfortable with that reality.

Of course, first impressions only tell part of the story. We still need extended testing for battery life, thermal performance, camera consistency, and AI reliability.

The S26 Ultra may not represent a revolution. But refinement can matter — especially when it targets usability and practical features. 

Samsung will have to make significant hardware upgrades eventually. But for now, it feels like the company is doubling down on incremental progress. Not flashy. Not radical. But purposeful.

Whether that strategy resonates will depend on real-world performance.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series – Specs 

What makes a good midrange phone? Is it the competitive price, the more subdued specs that scream “I guess it’s okay,” or the wackier designs? For me, it’s how light they are. It never ceases to amaze me how they can pack in so much hardware in such a thin chassis. Fresh off the oven, the new Infinix NOTE Edge did its homework, putting together one of the most impressive ultra-slim phones to date. At least, on paper.

Welcome back, Galaxy S6 Edge

A decade ago, my daily driver was the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. Though I’ve gone through more phones since then, it’s still one of my favorite flagships ever. The curved edge started off as a fun gimmick but quickly grew into what made the old phone so unique.

Now, in 2026, the Infinix NOTE Edge resurrects Samsung’s old flagship through its nostalgic design. The rear is mostly made up of a matte gold texture, which already makes for a nicely minimalist feel. However, it stands out even more with a huge camera island with a reflective surface that’s practically lifted from the iPhone 17 series.

Infinix’s phone skips the quirky designs typical of its segment. Instead, it goes for an iconic look that worked in the past and, arguably, still works today.

A phone for your pocket

A lot of phones today are just too big for pockets. Either the phone itself is just too large, or the camera island protrudes too much. Back in the day, we could have joked about having a certain appendage in our pockets. Now, phones are too comically large to be a laughing matter.

The Infinix NOTE Edge belongs to the unfortunately doomed ultra-thin phone segment. Though a lot of smartphone makers are already moving away from incredibly thin form factors, the NOTE Edge proves that the phone type works better in the midrange.

It weighs only 190 grams. Sure, it’s not a huge deal lighter than other smartphones, but you’d be surprised by how much cutting a few dozen grams helps. The NOTE Edge fits so well in my pocket. Throughout my time with the phone, it’s been only a secondary phone alongside my daily driver. Still, I could hardly feel it. Sometimes, I forget that it’s even in my pocket.

The ultra-thin phone might be a short-lived trend, but the NOTE Edge shows that it can be more with less.

Don’t let its size fool you

The Infinix NOTE Edge is one of the first phones to rock the Dimensity 7100 chipset. It’s a midrange chip that gets the job done. This phone has you covered for all facets of daily use. However, what it can’t do is become a dedicated gaming phone.

Zenless Zone Zero remains my biggest barometer for a phone’s performance. Very technically, the NOTE Edge can handle the title, but it wasn’t an enjoyable experience. Even in fairly low settings, the phone struggles with stuttering. Plus, on account of its lithe figure, it gets uncomfortably hot after only a while.

To be fair, it’s still capable with other titles. Firing up Bloons TD 6 from Netflix was a breeze. If you’re not a big mobile gamer, the NOTE Edge is pretty decent with those small time wasters.

Now Playing: Royal Rumble 2026

The Infinix NOTE Edge is more of a joy when you’re watching movies. The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen is delightful with 1B colors and 120Hz refresh rate.

As it happens, I got the phone right on time for this year’s Royal Rumble, my annual tradition as a lapsed WWE fan. What’s a better way to test a phone’s screen than with a 4-hour event?

Since WWE came to Netflix, wrestling fans have been eating good. The platform probably has every show to date. I’ve been enjoying the entire library from the past. But, of course, the best part is the availability of live events. Unlike the embarrassing way that Disney+ treated the WWE, Netflix’s live shows are in glorious HD, have no additional ads, and are available almost immediately.

Now, watching the show on the NOTE Edge was enjoyable. Because of its size, I didn’t need to squint hard to see which Superstar just made an entrance. And that’s a huge plus because there are so many new wrestlers I don’t recognize now.

Overall, I had a decent time watching, despite some questions with the results. Liv Morgan finally won a Rumble match, which I’m stoked by. Sadly, AJ Styles lost his career match, which means he’s gone from the WWE. I’m not really sure that having Roman Reigns win a Rumble again (and, therefore, be in the WrestleMania main event AGAIN) is a great idea, but that’s just part of the pain of liking the WWE.

At least, trying out the NOTE Edge was a revelation. Besides the size, the battery lasted well after four hours. Sure, a chunk was obliterated, but I still had around half the battery after that long.

An AI camera isn’t so bad after all

Whenever I see “AI” attached to a phone’s camera, the hairs on the back of my neck bristle. I don’t really need AI to help me take photos, thank you very much, especially when most of my gallery is of my cat anyway. (3,000 photos and counting!)

That said, I was blown away by the Infinix NOTE Edge. Despite only having a 50-megapixel rear shooter, I had fun using this phone to shoot. On a bright Saturday, it took the streets of Makati and a nearby taco shop with ease.

Colors under sunlight were lit perfectly without exposure turning everything into an overbright mess.

Similarly, indoor shots were very good. Just take a look at the colors on this wall.

This wall at Los Chachos in Makati looked sooo good.

I took the phone with me after dark, and it still performed well. Sure, you might jittery shots, but if you’re able to stay still, you’ve got a winner. For these shots, I did lower the brightness by quite a bit to allow the contrast to do the lifting.

Selfies were also good, if you’ve got good enough lighting.

Now, here’s a slight issue, though. The reflective back can give you a headache. If you find yourself shooting against the light or in brightly lit conditions, the camera can produce a very strong lens flare. In some situations, it adds a creative element to your shots, but it can be distracting during sunny days.

Here are a few more shots when I took the phone to Singapore. I’ll just say it: the Infinix NOTE Edge is incredibly good for street photography. The light weight and the photo quality are impressive.

Overall, I still wouldn’t sacrifice my daily driver and my camera for this phone. Regardless, it was enjoyable to shoot with this. It definitely works in a pinch.

The midrange problem of bloatware

Since this is a midrange phone, the NOTE Edge has the unfortunate problem consistent with most midrange phones: bloatware galore.

To be fair, the phone doesn’t really have a lot of apps installed. Then again, with the overwhelming deluge of advertised apps, the distinction hardly matters. The games section even had pages upon pages of titles that you’re definitely never installing in your life.

The phone also has the very midrange-coded Magazine Lockscreen, which sends content you might like straight to the lock screen. It’s a fancy way of saying that the lock screen has ads baked into it by default.

Thankfully, all these distractions can be turned off or deleted easily. But, honestly, I hope phone makers realize that no one really likes having them on in the first place.

A battery that’s good on paper

Despite its slim form factor, the NOTE Edge comes with a sizable 6500mAh battery. That’s a decent figure on paper. However, the phone’s real-time performance doesn’t really reflect this.

It’s not that the battery fails to perform as a smartphone battery. Rather, for a battery that hovers around the upper range of capacity these days, it doesn’t really have that oomph factor.

On the day that I took the NOTE Edge to a street shoot in Makati, the battery lasted a cool 15 hours before sinking to anxiety-inducing levels (around 20 to 30 percent for me). I’d consider this heavy usage already. Besides using the phone as a daily driver, I kept the camera on for extended periods of time, so I wouldn’t miss shots. I played games while waiting for friends and my food to arrive. I was using Waze without a charger going to and from Makati.

And, yes, by the way, it did get hot. After all, the thinness of the NOTE Edge doesn’t really allow for a dedicated cooling system, unlike thicker phones.

It’s fine as a battery, since it gets the job done throughout the day. But it’s not the 6500mAh type of fine.

Is the Infinix NOTE Edge your GadgetMatch?

Starting at only PhP 14,999, the Infinix NOTE Edge is as budget-friendly as it gets for a midrange phone. It’s not the most impressive phone I’ve seen in its price range, but, as I said for the battery, it gets the job done.

The two highlights here, besides that oh-so-affordable price, are the thin form factor and the impressive camera. If you value both specs in your daily driver, this is a good Swipe Right.

However, if bloatware is a problem for you, then this is a clear Swipe Left. You can also couple that with a processor and a battery that looks good on paper but fails to wow beyond that.