Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy Buds4 Pro: First Impressions

Privacy, AI, and hi-fi sound redefine the ecosystem

There's a precise moment during the hands-on with the new Galaxy S26 Ultra when you realize that Samsung isn't just updating a flagship. It's when you activate the Privacy Display, move to the side, and the screen – perfectly readable an instant before – becomes invisible to anyone not directly in front of the device. It doesn't dim for the user; it simply closes off to others.

And that's where the S26 series truly begins to distinguish itself.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Design: Controlled Evolution, Thinner Identity

The S26 Ultra maintains its premium identity but introduces a slight softening compared to the past, feeling less rigid to the touch than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. It's also the thinnest Ultra ever made by Samsung, with a unified design language across the entire S26 range.

The rear lenses are integrated more coherently with the body, while the new colorways – Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue, plus online exclusives Pink Gold and Silver Shadow – convey a more sophisticated and contemporary feel.

The display remains a 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED, but this year it's not just about brightness or definition. It's about light control at the individual pixel level.

Privacy Display: Hardware-Level Protection

Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces the world's first integrated Privacy Display on a smartphone. It's not a film, nor a software filter: it directly intervenes in how pixels disperse light, prioritizing the frontal axis and drastically limiting lateral visibility.

Compared to the S25 Ultra, which offers nothing similar at the physical panel level, the leap here is clear. It's possible to:

• adjust privacy levels
• automatically activate the mode on sensitive apps
• dim only notifications with partial Privacy mode
• protect PINs, passwords, and patterns
• elevate privacy protection to the maximum to further shield lateral view

During testing, a slight reduction in nits is noticeable, but the impact on battery life and usability is minimal. When deactivated, the panel returns to offering full performance from every angle.

At the software level, Samsung complements the Privacy Display with new AI protections: intelligent call filtering, proactive alerts on sensitive permissions, Private Album integrated into the Gallery, and post-quantum encryption extended to critical processes. All supported by Knox, Knox Vault, and the Personal Data Engine for on-device AI, with 7 years of guaranteed security updates.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Performance: Always-On AI and Redesigned Thermal Management

The S26 Ultra integrates the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, with declared increases of up to 19% on the CPU, 24% on the GPU, and 39% on the NPU compared to the previous generation.

The less visible but more concrete novelty is the new redesigned Vapor Chamber, with thermal material extended along the sides of the processor for more uniform dissipation. The result is greater stability in gaming, multitasking, and prolonged video recording.

The battery remains 5000 mAh, but Ultra-Fast Charging 3.0 arrives: up to 75% in about 30 minutes. Wireless charging further improves, reducing downtime.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera: Same Resolution, New Creative Approach

The main sensor remains 200 MP, but the S26 Ultra adopts wider apertures to let in more light, improving night shots and zoom in difficult conditions. Nightography has been further refined, while the 5x periscopic zoom appears more incisive than the previous generation. A miniature concert hall separated from the viewing point could be captured effortlessly.

Stabilization introduces "Horizontal Lock," a true virtual gimbal that maintains a stable axis even with intense movement. In practical tests, horizon control is more cinematic than on the S25 Ultra. This ultra-stabilizer has demonstrated great capabilities in managing the image reprocessed in real-time by the graphics processor. From quick tests, even when setting 4K/60Hz, the management of the incoming video signal did not drop the frame rate. In this context, support for the professional APV codec also debuts, designed for high-quality workflows with efficient compression and visually lossless rendering even after repeated editing.

But the real evolution is in AI. The updated Photo Assistant allows you to edit images with natural language prompts: transform day into night, add elements, reconstruct missing parts, even change outfits in photos. Edits are progressive, reviewable, and undoable step by step. This operation is currently possible only on single shots and not videos.

Creative Studio integrates creation and personalization in a single space, while tools like AI Document Scan automatically organize multiple images into a clean PDF, removing distortions and distractions.

Galaxy AI: Fewer Steps, More Context

The S26 series represents Samsung's third generation of AI smartphones. Now Brief becomes more proactive and personalized; Now Nudge suggests relevant content based on context; Circle to Search with Google introduces multi-object recognition.

Bixby evolves into a more natural conversational assistant, supported by Gemini and Perplexity: it's possible to perform multi-phase operations in the background with a voice command, from searching to booking services, without jumping between apps.

The goal is clear: reduce steps, not increase functions.

Samsung Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro: Hi-Fi Sound and Hands-Free AI

Alongside the smartphone, the new Buds4 line debuts. The standard Buds4 adopt a lighter and more intuitive open-fit design, while the Buds4 Pro focus on an in-ear architecture with maximum sound quality.

The design stems from computational design based on hundreds of millions of ear measurements and over 10,000 simulations. The new "blade" identity integrates engraved pressure controls and a transparent case with a clamshell opening.

On the hardware front, the Buds4 Pro introduce a wider woofer with a vibration area increased by almost 20% compared to the previous generation, paired with a dedicated tweeter. They support 24-bit/96 kHz audio, with greater sensitivity for highs/mids/lows for quality audio materials.

ANC has been enhanced to dynamically adapt to environments such as public transport or crowded spaces. Adaptive ANC/EQ analyzes ear shape and usage conditions to adjust frequencies and cancellation in real-time. Calls benefit from Super Wideband technology with machine learning models for noise reduction and voice enhancement.

Within the Galaxy ecosystem, the Buds4 allow you to activate AI agents – including Bixby – without touching your smartphone. With Buds4 Pro, head movement controls also arrive to manage calls and interactions in a completely hands-free mode.

The connection is immediate: just open the case for pairing, without going through the Wearable app. The listening tests immediately demonstrated all the technology at the service of sound quality, ambient listening, and high sensitivity for bass, mids, and highs.

The comparison with the S25 Ultra clarifies the direction: Samsung has not revolutionized everything, but has chosen surgical interventions on privacy, AI, and video stabilization.

Prices and Promotions: How Much Does the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Cost?

The new Samsung Galaxy S26 series will be available in Italy in the following configurations:

Galaxy S26

• 12GB + 256GB: €1,029
• 12GB + 512GB: €1,229

Samsung Galaxy S26+

• 12GB + 256GB: €1,289
• 12GB + 512GB: €1,489

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

• 12GB + 256GB: €1,499
• 12GB + 512GB: €1,699
• 16GB + 1TB: €1,999

From February 25 to March 10, 2026, by purchasing Galaxy S26, S26+, or S26 Ultra from operators, online retailers, or Samsung.com, the "Double Your Storage" promotion is active.

In concrete terms, this means: by choosing the 256GB version, you receive the 512GB version at the same price, with no additional costs.

Examples:

• Galaxy S26: €1,029 (price of the 256GB) and you get the 512GB
• Galaxy S26+: €1,289 (price of the 256GB) and you get the 512GB
• Galaxy S26 Ultra: €1,499 (price of the 256GB) and you get the 512GB

In the case of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, there is also a further opportunity: the 1TB version is offered at €1,799, which is €200 less than the recommended price of €1,999.

For audio, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 series is available for pre-order with arrival in stores from March 11:

• Galaxy Buds4: €179
• Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro: €249.