Samsung (SSNLF.US) scheduled to release the Galaxy S26 series phones on February 26, with a comprehensive AI strategy upgrade to compete with Apple (AAPL.US) iPhone

According to the Tongce Finance APP, Samsung Electronics (SSNLF.US) will hold a new product launch event in San Francisco on February 25th Eastern Time (February 26th Beijing Time), officially unveiling its latest flagship Galaxy smartphone, aiming to stimulate user upgrade demand and inject new momentum into the competition with Apple (AAPL.US) iPhone and other Android rivals.

In a statement on Tuesday, Samsung stated that the release of the Galaxy S26 series will mark a new stage in the AI era—bringing smart experiences toward true personalization and adaptive capabilities.

It is understood that the new model’s appearance is expected to be similar to recent Galaxy S series models. In contrast, Apple recently announced that demand for the iPhone 17 series has set records, with significant redesigns of its high-end models and the introduction of the ultra-thin iPhone Air for the first time.

Last year, Samsung launched the lightweight Galaxy S25 Edge ahead of schedule, but due to modest sales, it remains unknown whether a new Edge version will be released at this year’s Unpacked event. In 2026, Samsung will focus more on new AI features and some hardware innovations.

Recently, Samsung teased a privacy anti-peep display technology that can prevent others from peeking at the S26 user’s screen, significantly reducing visibility from certain angles. Although some third-party protective films already have similar functions, Samsung is integrating this capability directly into the phone hardware.

Samsung is also continuously expanding the Galaxy AI software capabilities and offering users more options. Currently, many of its AI features rely on Google (GOOGL.US) Gemini, but the company is actively working on integrating third-party services such as OpenAI and Perplexity AI.

Choi Won-Joon, President and COO of Samsung Mobile, said in an interview last July, “As long as these AI assistants are competitive and can provide the best user experience, we are open to all AI assistants on the market.”

Samsung’s foldable phones are expected to be updated later this year, offering more novelty and multifunctionality compared to traditional smartphones. Last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 achieved breakthroughs in thinness, with the folded device feeling close to a regular bar phone; the Galaxy Z TriFold, priced at $2,899, is a standout in engineering design, though its practicality is limited for most users.

However, foldable phones still lag far behind traditional bar phones in sales, which is why each Galaxy S series release remains crucial for Samsung. The company is also expected to launch new wireless earbuds and other accessories simultaneously at this February Unpacked event.