What to expect from Samsung Unpacked 2026: 5 biggest rumors on Galaxy S26 Ultra, Buds 4 Pro, more

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The next Samsung Unpacked event should introduce new mobile gadgets to the market.
• Samsung is set to announce new Galaxy S26 models, including the Ultra.
• Expect talk of UI updates, redesigned earbuds, and possibly AI glasses.

Unlike the last two years, Samsung isn’t hosting an Unpacked event in January of 2026. Instead, the rumored Galaxy S26 Ultra is tipped to be announced a month later, just before Mobile World Congress (MWC). Ahead of the launch event, reports point to the release of several major products, including some fan favorites, and possibly surprises.

Also: These Samsung Galaxy S26 rumors suggest big changes that we didn’t see coming

From the expected new Galaxy S-series phones to a couple of unexpected treats, here’s what you can expect from the Samsung Unpacked event in February.

When is the Samsung Unpacked 2026 event?

Samsung has yet to announce an official date for its upcoming event. However, South Korean media organizations have suggested the company will host its early Unpacked event on Feb. 25, 2026, in San Francisco. 

Reliable tipster Evan Blass has corroborated this launch timeline. This schedule would add another week to the release timeline and push the in-store date to March. So, expect to get your hands on the new Galaxy S26 series in early March.

Also: 5 preinstalled Samsung apps you should remove ASAP – they’re basically bloatware

If you want to watch the Unpacked 2026 event online, you can go to the Samsung website or YouTube to tune in to the live stream. You’ll likely find a “notify me” button closer to the launch, so you can receive a heads-up before the live stream begins. Here are five things we expect from the next Samsung Unpacked event.

What to expect from Samsung Unpacked 2026

1. Don’t sleep on the Samsung Galaxy S26 

To no surprise, the rumor mill has been spinning and spinning ahead of the Galaxy S26 launch. There were reports that Samsung would replace its base model with a “Galaxy S26 Pro” in its early-2026 flagship lineup. However, these rumors have since been debunked, and we now know that the S26 Pro is just the base model Galaxy S26.

Also: If these Samsung Galaxy S26 rumors are true, I might finally put my Google Pixel loyalty to rest

As usual, we could get a Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus below the Ultra variant. The duo could get a camera upgrade in the ultrawide-angle sensor, with an expected upgrade from 12MP to 50MP, according to a report from Android Headlines. 

The lower-end model might have a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen and a 4,300mAh battery (300mAh more than the Galaxy S25’s 4,000mAh cell). This device could be paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage.

2. Will an Edge model replace the Plus?

There have been rumors that Samsung could retire the “Plus” moniker and shift to a new slim phone, the Galaxy S26 Edge. According to reliable tipster Ice Universe, the super-slim Samsung phone could have a 4,200mAh battery and measure just 5.5mm thick, which is 0.3mm thinner than the S25 Edge and 0.1mm skinnier than the iPhone Air.

Also: These Samsung Galaxy S26 rumors suggest big changes that we didn’t see coming

The Galaxy S26 Edge might feature the same 6.7-inch screen as before. While there have been contradicting rumors about Samsung continuing with the Edge in future lineups, I loved using the Galaxy S25 Edge — especially because it had fewer hardware limitations than Apple’s iPhone Air.

3. How much more ‘Ultra’ can Samsung get?

Samsung’s Ultra phone needs a major ergonomic overhaul, and leaked renders of the Galaxy S26 Ultra hint at slight design changes. I couldn’t use the Galaxy S25 Ultra as my daily driver last year, despite its comparatively lightweight design (218 grams), because of its sharp sides.

According to leaked renders, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra could feature curvier corners than its predecessor and a raised vertical camera bump on the back. The device is said to be 0.3mm slimmer, at 7.9mm thick, and to feature a new M14 OLED display. 

The company recently released teaser videos of a new privacy feature, which could protect your on-screen information from nosy strangers. I’m speculating this tech will be the biggest talking point after launch.

Also: I tried Samsung’s $2,900 tri-foldable phone ahead of its US debut – it won me over in minutes

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could sport a larger 1/1.1-inch 200MP Sony sensor with an f/1.4 aperture for the main camera. The device is said to let in 47% more light, for better images in low-light situations. I hope the phone gets a telephoto camera upgrade too, but we’ll have to wait and watch.

All three Samsung Galaxy S26 phones are tipped to be powered by different processors in different regions. In the US and China, you might get Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5-powered devices, while the rest of the world could see Exynos 2600 variants. 

Historically, Samsung’s in-house Exynos chipsets have been notorious for poor heat management, but the new processor could change that issue. According to Korea Economic Daily, the Exynos 2600 could include an NPU that’s speculated to be 30% faster than Qualcomm’s flagship chipset.

4. New One UI 8.5 features

Samsung released its One UI 8 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 last year, and it is expected to announce One UI 8.5 at the upcoming launch. For context, 8.5 has been available in beta since December, so we know what to expect.

The stable version of One UI 8.5 could bring an expanded dark theme, upgraded Home Up support, lockscreen widget support, and more AI features, including Samsung’s take on Apple’s Notification Summary feature. In the beta version, One UI 8.5 also allows you to resize folders and improves inter-device connectivity.

5. Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

According to a September report from SamMobile and an X post, Samsung is developing a pair of Galaxy Buds 4 devices. The codename in strings was spotted in a One UI 8.5 leak.

Leaked renders from Android Authority suggested the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro could be a redesign. They appear to have a flat stem and a new wire grille design element on the side. We don’t know about new features and audio improvements yet, but we could get new flagship earbuds alongside the Galaxy S26 lineup in February.

Also: Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: I tried both models, and this pair wins

Samsung could also showcase its smart AI glasses at the Galaxy Unpacked event. While chances of a launch are lower, we could get a teaser of Samsung’s rival to Meta Ray-Bans at the event. The company is partnering with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to create its new wearable device.