Samsung is gearing up for its first major hardware event of 2026, with Galaxy Unpacked scheduled for in San Francisco. The event, confirmed by official invites shared on , is widely expected to showcase the Galaxy S26 lineup – comprising the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra.
While Samsung has remained tight-lipped about specific details, industry observers anticipate a continuation of the company’s recent design language. Leaked images suggest the S26 series won’t represent a radical departure in aesthetics from the Galaxy S25, maintaining a similar overall form factor. This approach reflects Samsung’s increasingly incremental update cycle for its flagship smartphones.
The announcement of the Unpacked event also included a statement hinting at a significant focus on artificial intelligence. Samsung described the launch as marking “a new phase in the era of AI as intelligence becomes truly personal and adaptive.” This messaging, while broad, suggests that AI capabilities will be a central theme of the S26 series and potentially other devices unveiled at the event. It’s a theme echoed by many tech companies, signaling a broader industry push towards more integrated and personalized AI experiences.
The timing of the event aligns with expectations set forth in early January, with multiple sources, including Evan Blass (@evleaks) and @IceUniverse, independently confirming the date. This corroboration from well-regarded sources within the Samsung rumor ecosystem lends further credibility to the planned launch.
The Unpacked event will be livestreamed on Samsung.com, the company’s newsroom, and its YouTube channel, beginning at . Engadget has confirmed they will be providing live coverage of the event, with hands-on reviews of the new smartphones expected shortly after the official announcement.
Beyond the Galaxy S26 series, the specifics of what Samsung plans to unveil remain largely unknown. However, given the company’s recent activity – including advancements in foldable technology and its involvement with Google’s XR platform – it’s plausible that further developments in these areas could also be showcased. Samsung’s 2025 was marked by innovation in these fields, and the company is likely to build upon that momentum.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to be the flagship model, likely incorporating the most advanced features and specifications. While detailed specifications are currently unavailable, it’s reasonable to anticipate improvements in camera technology, display quality, and processing power compared to its predecessor, the S25 Ultra. The S26+ will likely offer a balance of features and price, while the standard S26 will cater to a more budget-conscious consumer.
The emphasis on AI, as highlighted in Samsung’s pre-event messaging, suggests that the S26 series may feature enhanced on-device AI processing capabilities. This could translate to improvements in areas such as image processing, voice assistance, and personalized user experiences. The extent to which AI will be integrated into the core functionality of the phones remains to be seen, but it’s clearly a key area of focus for Samsung.
The event in San Francisco represents a crucial moment for Samsung as it navigates an increasingly competitive smartphone market. The company faces challenges from rivals like Apple and Google, as well as emerging players from China. Successfully launching a compelling new lineup of devices, particularly one that delivers on the promise of personalized AI, will be critical for maintaining its position as a leading smartphone vendor.
