Samsung launches Galaxy S26 series with built-in privacy display and advanced AI

Samsung has unveiled what it describes as its most intuitive artificial intelligence-powered smartphone range to date, launching the Galaxy S26 series in Ghana with a bold focus on proactive AI, privacy and performance.

Announcing the new line-up in Accra on 25 February 2026, Samsung Ghana introduced the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra as its third-generation AI smartphones, designed to handle complex tasks in the background and reduce the steps users take to complete everyday actions.

The company said the new series was built around a philosophy of invisible intelligence, allowing users to focus on results rather than processes. “We believe AI should be something people can depend on every day, designed to work consistently for everyone and without the need for expertise,” said TM Roh, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “With the Galaxy S26 series, we focused on making AI feel effortless, working quietly in the background so people can focus on what matters.”

At the centre of the launch is the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which Samsung claims introduces the world’s first built-in Privacy Display for mobile phones. The integrated feature is designed to limit side-angle visibility without compromising the main user’s viewing experience, reflecting the company’s push to embed privacy protection directly into hardware.

Under the hood, the Ultra model is powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, a customised processor built to enhance AI performance and energy efficiency. Samsung reports a CPU performance increase of up to 19 per cent, a 39 per cent improvement in NPU capability for AI-driven tasks and a 24 per cent boost in GPU performance. The device also features a redesigned vapour chamber cooling system and Super Fast Charging 3.0, capable of reaching up to 75 per cent charge in 30 minutes.

Beyond raw power, Samsung is leaning heavily into AI-enhanced creativity. The Galaxy S26 series integrates upgraded imaging software with hardware improvements, particularly on the Ultra variant. Wider camera apertures aim to improve low-light photography, while enhanced Nightography Video and upgraded Super Steady stabilisation target content creators filming in challenging conditions. The S26 Ultra also becomes the first Galaxy device to support APV, a professional-grade video codec designed for efficient compression and high-quality production workflows.

Artificial intelligence extends into editing tools, with the upgraded Photo Assist suite allowing users to modify images using natural language prompts. According to Samsung, users can describe changes conversationally, including adjusting lighting conditions or restoring missing elements within a photograph. Creative Studio consolidates design tools into a single interface, enabling the creation of personalised visuals such as invitations, stickers and wallpapers without switching between apps.

The Galaxy AI ecosystem also introduces features such as Now Nudge and a more personalised Now Brief, designed to anticipate user needs based on context. Circle to Search with Google has been enhanced to recognise multiple objects within a single image, while an upgraded Bixby functions as a more conversational device agent. The series also integrates external AI agents including Gemini and Perplexity, enabling multi-step tasks across apps through voice or button prompts.

Security remains a central theme of the launch. The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Privacy Display is complemented by expanded protections under Samsung Knox, the company’s multi-layered security platform. New AI-powered Call Screening, Privacy Alerts and a Private Album feature aim to strengthen user control over personal data. Samsung has also extended post-quantum cryptography protections to system processes such as software verification and firmware security, reinforcing long-term device resilience.

Samsung confirmed that the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra will be available for pre-order from 26 February. The models share a unified design language and will be offered in Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue.

With seven years of security updates and optional Samsung Care+ coverage, the company is positioning the Galaxy S26 series not merely as a performance upgrade but as a long-term digital companion built around what it calls “the most intuitive Galaxy AI experience yet.”