On the evening of February 25, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 series in Lagos, launching a device that aims to go far beyond what a smartphone has ever done.
Dubbed a “miracle device”, the S26 series, comprising the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, comes with AI that anticipates your needs, a first-of-its-kind Privacy Display, and tools that completely enhance photography and daily life.
Samsung said the Galaxy S26 series is powered by “the most proactive and adaptive Galaxy AI experiences yet” and is designed to simplify the tasks people do on their phones every day.
Samsung’s third-generation AI phones, Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra handle complex tasks in the background, allowing users to focus on results rather than how the technology works.
From the moment the briefing began, it was evident that Samsung is shifting the smartphone from a passive tool into a proactive assistant.
Senior executives including Lucas Lee, CEO of Samsung Electronics West Africa; Joy Tim-Ayoola, group head, Mobile Experience, Samsung Electronics West Africa; and Stephen Okpara, Product and Quality Assurance manager for Samsung Electronics stressed that the Galaxy S26 now acts as a personal agent, handling tasks in the background so users can focus on other aspects of their days.
The company added that the Galaxy S26 series was engineered with Samsung’s most advanced features working together as one, including performance, an intuitive camera system and Galaxy AI, giving users the confidence to depend on their phone throughout the day without compromising security or privacy.
AI That Runs Your Day
The Galaxy S26’s AI assistant can manage calls, schedule appointments, control smart home devices, and even book rides, all without touching the phone.
In Lagos, the demo showed how the device could take a spoken address, open Google Maps, and send the location to WhatsApp automatically. It can also decide which calls to accept or reject based on importance, making busy meetings distraction-free.
Samsung said the series integrates a choice of agents, including Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity. Once set up, tasks can be completed with a single button press or voice prompt.
The upgraded Bixby now works as a conversational device agent and can handle multi-step tasks in the background.
For example, with Gemini, booking a taxi is as simple as asking, reviewing the details and tapping confirm.
Samsung emphasised personalisation, explaining that the AI adapts to each user’s habits, learning routines and preferences to anticipate tasks. From managing plans and finding information to capturing and refining content, Galaxy S26 reduces the effort and number of steps required to get things done.
From waking up and adjusting home appliances to sending location updates and scheduling errands, the device essentially becomes a mobile concierge in your pocket.
Privacy That Protects You
The Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces the mobile industry’s first built-in Privacy Display, which dims pixels to block side-angle viewing without affecting screen quality. Samsung described it as privacy at the pixel level, built directly into the display rather than added as an accessory.
Designed for everyday situations like transit, cafés and shared environments, the feature limits what others can see from the side while keeping content clear for the user.
Unlike traditional stick-on privacy films, the integrated Privacy Display preserves full viewing quality when turned off and restricts visibility only when activated.
Users can activate it with a tap and customise privacy per app, ensuring sensitive information stays private, even in public spaces. It can also be set to turn on automatically when entering PINs, passwords or opening selected apps.
Partial Screen Privacy limits visibility for notification pop-ups, while Maximum Privacy Protection further obscures side views.
This feature takes away the need for third-party screen protectors while maintaining full colour and clarity for the user.
Beyond the display, Samsung said it builds protection into every layer of Galaxy S26. AI-powered Call Screening identifies unknown callers and summarises intent. Privacy Alerts notify users in real time when apps with device admin privileges attempt to access sensitive data such as precise location, call logs or contacts.
Private Album, built directly into Gallery, allows users to hide selected photos and videos without creating a separate folder or signing into a Samsung Account.
The company also confirmed it has extended post-quantum cryptography to critical system processes, including software verification and firmware protection.
Updates to Knox Matrix add end-to-end encryption for direct transfers like eSIM migrations and clearer visibility into firmware update status across connected devices.
Photography and Creativity Reimagined
The S26 series comes with Photo Assist and AI-powered editing tools that allow users to edit images simply by describing changes in natural language.
With the upgraded Photo Assist suite, users can describe what they want to change in their own words. Changing the scene from day to night is just a matter of asking. It can add to images and restore missing parts of objects like a bite taken out of a cake.
Personal details, such as a spill on clothing, can also be cleaned up with Galaxy AI’s ability to change outfits in photos. Edits can be made continuously, reviewed step by step, and adjusted or undone along the way.
Nightography Video keeps footage clearer and more vibrant in dim scenes, whether indoors or outdoors at night. Enhanced Super Steady now includes a horizontal lock option for more stable framing during movement.
On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, wider camera apertures allow more light to reach the sensor, delivering clearer photos with richer details in low-light conditions, even when zoomed in. Improvements to the AI ISP now extend to the selfie camera, capturing more natural skin tones and finer detail in mixed lighting.
For advanced creators, the device supports APV, a professional-grade video codec designed to deliver efficient compression for high-quality production workflows. Samsung said it ensures visually lossless video quality that stays true even after repeated editing.
Creative Studio brings sketches, photos and prompts into one integrated space, allowing users to create stickers, invitations and personalised wallpapers without switching tools. The AI-powered Document Scanner removes distortions such as creases or fingers and can organise multiple images automatically into a single PDF.
Power and Performance
Powered by a customised Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy processor, the Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers faster, smoother performance across multitasking, gaming and content creation.
Samsung said the chipset delivers up to a 19% CPU performance increase, a 39% improvement in NPU performance to power always-on Galaxy AI features, and a 24% boost in GPU performance for richer visuals and more fluid gameplay.
Across the line-up, the Galaxy S26 series is engineered for AI performance, power efficiency and thermal management, ensuring demanding tasks run smoothly and consistently. The Ultra model is also described as the slimmest Ultra yet.
Thermal management ensures consistent performance, while Super-Fast Charging 3.0 reaches up to 75% charge in just 30 minutes. Wireless charging is also supported, keeping the device ready for demanding daily use.
Taken together, Samsung noted that these advancements deliver dependable all-day performance.
Sustainability at the Core
The innovative giant is well focused on its environmental commitment. About 19% of materials across the S26 series come from recycled sources, packaging is 100% paper, and six years of software upgrades extend device lifespans, reducing e-waste while keeping users updated.
Everyday Automation in Action
What makes the Galaxy S26 indispensable?
- Scheduling smart home appliances automatically when you wake.
- Sending directions to friends via WhatsApp with only a voice command.
- Booking rides or appointments without opening an app.
- Editing photos or videos on the fly with AI-generated suggestions.
Galaxy S26’s ease of use continues even when the phone is out of reach. When paired with the new Galaxy Buds4 series, users can activate AI agents with their voices and manage calls through simple head gestures on Buds4 Pro.
Joy Tim-Ayoola, said, “Think about the device as an extension of yourself, it’s your personal assistant, securely grounded in our privacy networks.”
Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series is available for pre-order in Nigeria starting February 25. Colours include Cobalt Violet, White, Black, Sky Blue, and Samsung.com exclusives in Pink Gold and Silver Shadow.
For added peace of mind, Samsung Care+ offers comprehensive coverage including fast repairs for accidental damage, extended warranty, and certified expert support available both at home and abroad.
