Samsung Electronics has officially launched the Galaxy S26 series — Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra — introducing its most proactive and adaptive Galaxy AI experience to date.
Designed to reduce the steps between intent and action, the third-generation AI-powered devices handle complex tasks in the background, allowing users to focus on outcomes rather than navigating technology. From managing schedules and searching information to capturing and refining content, the S26 series aims to make everyday smartphone use seamless.
“We believe AI should be something people can depend on every day, designed to work consistently for everyone,” said Evelyn Munene, Head of Product & Marketing, Mobile Experience Division, Samsung Electronics East Africa. “With the Galaxy S26 series, we focused on making AI feel effortless.”
Power and Performance
At the core of the S26 Ultra is the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, delivering significant performance gains — including up to 19% CPU improvement, 39% NPU enhancement for AI processing, and 24% GPU boost for graphics and gaming.
A redesigned vapor chamber improves heat dissipation, ensuring sustained performance during multitasking, gaming and video capture. Super Fast Charging 3.0 powers the device up to 75% in just 30 minutes.
Samsung’s ProScaler and upgraded mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) further enhance image clarity, text sharpness and colour precision.
Camera and Creative Tools
The S26 series builds on Samsung’s industry-leading camera technology. Wider apertures on the S26 Ultra improve low-light photography, while Enhanced Nightography Video and upgraded Super Steady features deliver clearer, more stable footage.
AI-powered Photo Assist allows users to edit images through simple text prompts — from changing lighting conditions to restoring missing image details. Creative Studio enables users to transform sketches or prompts into stickers, wallpapers and other visuals within one integrated space.
Document Scan automatically corrects distortions and compiles multiple images into a single PDF, streamlining digitisation tasks.
Smarter Galaxy AI
Galaxy AI introduces features such as Now Nudge and Now Brief, offering context-aware suggestions and reminders. An upgraded Circle to Search with Google supports multi-object recognition within images, while enhanced Bixby allows natural language device control.
Users can also choose AI agents including Gemini and Perplexity to complete multi-step tasks — such as booking services — with a single prompt.
Privacy at the Core
The S26 Ultra debuts the mobile industry’s first built-in Privacy Display, limiting side-angle visibility while preserving display quality. AI-powered Call Screening, Privacy Alerts and Private Album enhance data protection, supported by Samsung Knox’s multi-layered security architecture and seven years of security updates.
Availability in Kenya
The Galaxy S26 series is available for pre-order from February 25, 2026, at Samsung Experience Stores and authorised retailers nationwide. Prices start at KSh120,900 for the Galaxy S26 (256GB), with the S26 Ultra (512GB) retailing at KSh197,300.
Samsung Care+ will offer extended protection, including accidental screen repair and a 24-month warranty.
With the S26 series, Samsung signals a clear direction: AI that works quietly, powerfully and securely — redefining the everyday smartphone experience.
