[Digital Today reporter Jinju Hong] Samsung Electronics has unveiled its new flagship smartphone Galaxy S26 series. The lineup consists of the S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra. It is not markedly different from the previous model, but some upgrades stand out. On Feb. 25 local time, U.S. tech outlet The Verge analysed differences among the Galaxy S26 models.

There is no major change in design compared with the previous model, but overall performance and artificial intelligence (AI) features have been strengthened. Samsung also applied a dual application processor (AP) strategy, using its in-house Exynos 2600 in the standard and Plus models and a Galaxy version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 5th Gen in the top-end Ultra.

AI features have also expanded noticeably. For example, the phone can immediately block unverified numbers on the screen. It also supports giving editing instructions by describing a photo in text. Integration with Google Gemini also allows specific tasks to be performed automatically in third-party apps such as Uber and DoorDash.

Galaxy S26, a standard model focused on the basics. The base Galaxy S26 costs 1,254,000 won for the 12GB memory and 256GB storage model and 1,507,000 won for the 512GB storage model. It has a 6.3-inch OLED display and a 4,300mAh battery, and weighs under about 170 grams. The camera setup includes a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate and wireless charging.

Galaxy S26 Plus, a larger screen and longer battery. The Galaxy S26 Plus costs 1,452,000 won for the 12GB memory and 256GB storage model and 1,705,000 won for the 512GB model. It has a 6.7-inch display and a 4,900mAh battery, expanding screen size and battery capacity compared with the base model. Other key specifications, including a 120Hz refresh rate, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage and wireless charging, are the same as the base model.

Galaxy S26 Ultra, equipped with a 200-megapixel camera. The top-end Galaxy S26 Ultra costs 1,797,400 won for the 12GB memory and 256GB storage model, 2,050,400 won for the 512GB model, and 2,545,400 won for the 16GB memory and 1TB storage model. It has a 6.9-inch display and a 5,000mAh battery, offering the largest screen and battery. The camera includes a 200-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide and dual telephoto lenses supporting 3x and 5x optical zoom. It minimised image quality degradation even when shooting at high magnification.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra also adds a "Privacy Display" feature that makes the screen difficult to view from the side, a first for a mobile phone, along with S Pen support.

The Galaxy S26 series is seen as an update focused on the AI experience and improved performance stability rather than external innovation. In particular, the Gemini-based app integration feature is interpreted as a strategy to expand the smartphone beyond a simple device to something closer to an "AI assistant".

Samsung plans to secure an edge through differentiated AI features as competition with Apple intensifies in the premium smartphone market.