Samsung pulled back the curtain on Privacy Display last week. The Galaxy S26 Ultra launched on February 25th with the mobile industry’s first built-in Privacy Display.

Now, Samsung has revealed the brilliant technology behind the Privacy Display. It relies on a new OLED panel from Samsung Display that alternates between two types of pixels: Narrow and Wide.

Here’s how it actually works

In normal mode, both narrow and wide pixels spread light across a wide range of angles. When Privacy Mode is enabled, the display prioritizes narrow pixels that emit light straight forward, while wide pixels are reduced to a minimal level.

Samsung says the tech has been in development for 5 years, which tracks.

The company built Privacy Display with the ability to only apply to small portions of the S26 Ultra’s display, and it can hide notification pop-ups nearly perfectly. You’re not stuck blanking the entire screen every time you’re on a train.

You can set triggers for when the feature activates, such as during PIN, password, or pattern entry, or when notifications appear. No one wants to manually toggle a privacy filter every time they pull out a credit card to buy something online.

Early hands-on suggests the blocking works well at the Samsung booth, but real-world performance depends heavily on the angle. Double-press the side button, and it activates. It’s a quick trick in addition to the toggle in the Quick panel.

Samsung insists it doesn’t mess with brightness, color accuracy, or viewing quality when you’re looking head-on. However, it actually dims the screen brightness a little when tested with equipment.

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Samsung phones may finally receive the Android-to-iPhone sharing feature this month. The rollout may initially start for the Galaxy S26 series. Samsung will later expand the tool to even more Galaxy users sequentially.

In a recent development, Oppo confirmed (via 9to5Google) that the Find X9 and Find X9 Pro will get a software update later this month that lets them share files with iPhones, iPads, and Macs through Quick Share.

iPhone users will need to flip AirDrop visibility to Everyone for the handshake to work, because Apple’s default Contacts Only mode won’t play nice with Android devices trying to bridge in.

That’s Android-to-iPhone sharing via Quick Share wired into AirDrop’s backend, the same trick Google pulled on Pixel phones back in November.

Here’s what Oppo announced at MWC 2026:

Coming soon, OPPO’s Find X9 Series will bring Android Quick Share, enabled in close collaboration with MediaTek and Google. Without installing third-party applications, users can conveniently and securely transfer files between OPPO smartphones and iOS, iPadOS and macOS devices, improving cross-platform interoperability. The feature is expected to begin rolling out via software update starting in March.

Why does this matter?

Samsung Android iPhone sharing is about to follow. Screenshots surfaced weeks ago showing the Galaxy S26 series prepped for AirDrop compatibility through Quick Share, though the feature wasn’t active when reviewers tested retail units.

The company’s software rollouts haven’t exactly been the most predictable thing for the past year or two. One UI 8.5 is the likely vehicle for this, and Samsung has a habit of staggering such features across device generations.

The Galaxy S26 lineup doesn’t support this out of the box, but the feature may go live through a software update later this month.

The feature doesn’t require special hardware, so older Galaxy phones could get it with a software update, possibly bundled into One UI 8.5.

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People with Galaxy S26 Ultra camera moisture problems are starting to speak up. It’s the most distressing problem Samsung’s flagships have ever faced. The condensation problem is rendering the cameras unusable, and that’s sad.

Ice Universe posted about it first on X, asking anyone who bought the phone to check their cameras in freezing weather. His own unit’s got condensation inside.

The problem surfaced after he took his phone outside when the temperature hit around minus six Celsius. Both the 3x and 5x telephoto lenses fogged up completely, which means you’re not taking usable photos in cold conditions.

He mentioned Korean forums picked up the same complaints, which tells you it’s not a bad batch. When multiple people in different countries see moisture forming on the inside of camera lenses on a phone rated IP68, that’s an engineering screwup.

The real question is why moisture’s getting trapped inside sealed camera housings. Samsung proudly touts that IP68 rating like it means invincibility.

Either the seals aren’t doing their job, or the vapor chamber inside the phone is creating internal humidity that has nowhere to go when the temperature plummets.

You’re holding a $1,300 phone that can’t shoot photos when it’s cold. That’s embarrassing for a company that stakes its reputation on hardware quality.

Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series last month, full well knowing that people in half the world would be using it in freezing temperatures within weeks.

If this happens to you, what do you do?

You can’t blow dry without risking further condensation when it cools again. Rice doesn’t work and never did. Let it sit at room temperature and hope the moisture evaporates on its own without leaving residue on the lens internals.

If it doesn’t clear, you’re looking at a service center visit, and good luck getting that covered under warranty when Samsung might almost certainly call it user error.

Via – Ice Universe / X

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There’s one thing Samsung didn’t shout about at Unpacked that could actually change how people use Samsung phones: vibe coding.

Recently, Hamish Hector of Techradar asked Won-Joon Choi, Samsung’s head of MX Business, whether vibe coding might surface on Samsung Galaxy devices; he didn’t shut the door. “Something we’re looking into,” he said.

Then he got specific; the appeal isn’t just app tweaks, it’s deeper.

“The possibility of customising your smartphone experience in new ways, not just your apps but your UX.” Right now, we are stuck with whatever Samsung or Google decided to ship, but vibe coding flips that.

You tell an AI what you want built. Maybe you’re sick of YouTube Shorts clogging your feed and you want a version that strips them out entirely. The AI writes the code, you install it and it’s done, Shorts gone from your feed.

This isn’t some futuristic concept either; coding assistants have been around since LLMs first showed up, but the new breed of vibe coding tools can hand working apps to people who’ve never touched a line of code.

Samsung loves reminding everyone that Android is open. Benjamin Braun, Samsung’s chief marketing officer, celebrated that openness in a post-Unpacked panel.

If Android lets you sideload anything you want already, why wouldn’t Samsung bake vibe coding directly into One UI? It’s the most obvious move they could make.

Choi seemed interested, at least. He didn’t commit to a timeline or confirm it’s definitely happening. But the fact that he engaged with it at all tells you Samsung’s at least thinking about this seriously.

If Samsung actually does this, the “AI phone” label might finally mean something beyond marketing copy. You wouldn’t just be using Samsung and Google’s preloaded apps, but you would make your own apps and use them on Galaxy.

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Samsung has added a new video feature, Advanced Professional Video (APV), codec to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This feature helps people record high-quality videos on their phones while using less storage space. It is made for creators who want their videos to look professional without needing big cameras.

Samsung and Qualcomm have developed the APV codec in collaboration. They made it so many people could use it. After years of work, APV is now on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which has the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy chip.

The APV video format is different from normal phone videos. Most phone videos make files small, but the quality can drop after editing. APV keeps videos looking good even after editing many times. This is perfect for people making videos for YouTube, social media, or movies.

APV can record videos in very high quality, up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second. Even with this high quality, APV uses about 10% less storage than other similar formats. This helps you save more videos on your phone without running out of space.

You can easily turn on this feature. For that, open the Camera app >> go to Settings >> choose Video Format. Then turn on APV. You can pick APV HDR or APV Log depending on the look you want. There are two file options: APV 422 HQ for the best quality and APV 422 LQ for smaller files. You can even save APV videos to an external USB drive if needed.

With APV Codec, Samsung makes it simple for everyone to create high-quality videos on their phone. Now, creators can shoot, edit, and share videos that look professional without using a big camera or computer.

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Samsung has launched a new rewards program, Galaxy Store Benefits, to give Galaxy device users extra value when they use the Galaxy Store. The program is currently available for Galaxy users in the United States and is free to join.

The new program adds a Benefits tab inside the Galaxy Store app. This tab allows users to earn rewards by doing simple activities in the store. Users can explore new apps, try games, or check out featured content. When they complete these small tasks, they earn virtual points – Gems.

These Gems can be collected and later exchanged for rewards. Users can redeem them for Galaxy Store coupons or digital gift cards that can be used on Samsung’s official website. This makes everyday use of the store more fun and rewarding.

Image via Samsung

Samsung also added sweepstakes to the program. Users can enter daily, weekly, and monthly prize draws for a chance to win Samsung devices. In March, the main monthly prize is the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone. There are also weekly prizes such as the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+.

The Korean tech giant plans to update the rewards regularly. New prizes, coupons, and sweepstakes will be added each month, so users always have something new to look forward to. This program will encourage people to visit the Galaxy Store more often and interact with apps and games more engagingly.

Avner Ronen, Vice President, Product Development at Samsung Electronics, said:

“The Galaxy Store plays a central role in how users engage with their favorite content across Galaxy devices. With the Benefits tab, we’re introducing new incentives designed to make everyday store interactions more rewarding while supporting ongoing discovery across the Galaxy ecosystem. As the program grows, we will continue refreshing and evolving the benefits for our users with updated rewards and sweepstakes, including more opportunities to win even bigger prizes.”

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Samsung‘s One UI 8.5 Beta Program is currently live for Galaxy S25 series users. Until now, the beta program was believed to be available only for the Galaxy S25 series. However, new reports suggest that it could soon reach more devices, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7.

A reliable tipster, @Alfaturk, has spotted the One UI 8.5 Beta build for Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 on an internal testing platform. This shows that Samsung is already preparing the beta update for its latest foldable phones.

One UI 8.5 Beta testing build for Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 are F966NKSU8ZZC4 and F766NKSU8ZZC4. These builds suggest that the company has started testing the update before releasing it to users.

Image source – SammyFans

If Samsung opens the beta program for these foldable devices, users will get the chance to test new features and improvements early. Beta programs are usually used to find bugs and improve the software before the final version is released.

However, if Samsung decides to include more Galaxy devices in the beta program, the rollout of the stable One UI 8.5 update might take a little longer. Testing the software on more devices requires additional time to make sure everything runs smoothly.

For now, Samsung has not officially announced the expansion of the One UI 8.5 Beta Program. More details may be revealed soon as testing continues. Users will have to wait for an official confirmation or rollout. Stay tuned.

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Samsung’s Jay Kim stood on a stage in Barcelona and shared crucial details about the Samsung AI Smart Glasses. The executive let slip that the upcoming Samsung AI Smart Glasses will feature a camera at “your eye level.”

Samsung has been working on AI Smart Glasses with Qualcomm and Google since 2023, and until this week at MWC 2026 all we got was strategic silence and some internal whispers about something called Project HAEAN, via CNBC.

The glasses feed what you’re looking at through that camera to your Galaxy phone, which does the heavy lifting and then sends you back “a lot of information”. Your phone becomes the brain and the glasses are just your eyes and ears.

When asked about a built-in display, Kim sidestepped the whole thing and said Samsung’s got watches and phones if you need a screen.

Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses own 82% of the global smart glasses market, and Samsung’s essentially trying to clone that playbook with better AI baked in.

The difference is Gemini integration, tighter Galaxy ecosystem hooks, and the hope that Samsung’s name carries more weight than Meta’s in a category where people are still creeped out by cameras on faces.

Kim said the XR headset stuff won’t be “a sort of mass scale business”. It signals the company screwed up, thinking people wanted bulky VR nonsense when they just want something lightweight they won’t be embarrassed to wear.

Samsung is betting that AI agents will turn glasses into the next must-have platform. Meta’s already there and Apple is presumably watching. Samsung’s targeting a release “for industry this year,” and Qualcomm’s confirmed 2026.

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Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to hit the market shelves on March 11, but we just got the first teardown of this flagship phone, confirming the hidden camera upgrade: ALoP tech in the periscope sensor.

YouTube channel Disassembling Parts uploaded the Galaxy S26 Ultra teardown. The video highlights an excessive use of a “strange adhesive,” but what caught the eye is the installation of ALoP camera technology inside.

Everything the video covers

It’s a full internal breakdown of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, going layer by layer through components like:

• Battery
• Motherboard
• Camera system
• Overall internal layout

ALoP Camera

The periscope camera module appears to use ALoP technology, which Samsung quietly teased over a year ago. Samsung’s new ALoP (All Lenses on Prism) places the lenses on top of the prism, reducing module size.

ALoP uses a larger lens diameter for improved brightness. The module sits flatter against the body, with less bump and better aesthetics. That square prism outline has also gone; you just see round lenses now as the phone gods intended.

Source – Disassembling Parts / YouTube | Via – @MyDaebakCafe/X

Even though the ALoP camera has been shipped, Samsung did not mention the technology. The company is accused of lazy hardware upgrades, not because of staleness, but of avoiding marketing of these technologies publicly.

The main highlight is an unusually large amount of adhesive applied in unexpected or “strange” places inside the phone. Adhesive inside phones isn’t new, but the sheer amount here raises questions.

The video explores possible reasons Samsung did this, such as:

• Improved durability/structural support
• Better thermal management
• Enhanced water resistance
• Other assembly/engineering trade-offs

You can watch the full teardown video on YouTube.

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Samsung is opening up One UI 8.5 Beta forums for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7. No actual builds yet, but the fact these forums popped up tells you something awkward about Samsung’s software timeline right now.

The earliest Samsung fans seeing the One UI 8.5 Beta for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 is mid-March, according to MohammedKhatri tracking Samsung’s server movements. That puts stable release somewhere closer to mid-April.

Setting up forums first is usually prep work. March security patch builds are currently being tested for the Fold 7 and Flip 7, which pushes One UI 8.5 toward April. The company’s basically admitting the software isn’t cooked yet.

The Fold 7 and Flip 7 launched in July 2025, running One UI 8 on Android 16. One UI 8.5 went live with the Galaxy S26 series on February 25. Existing devices are now looking at an April rollout instead of the March window people expected.

Courtesy – @Mohammed_K_2010/X

The Galaxy S25 series already has the One UI 8.5 Beta running. Samsung is also testing the seventh One UI 8.5 Beta update for last year’s flagships. Stable could start rolling out next month, leaving March dominated by patches.

With One UI 8.5 Beta expanding, we may see the Program arriving for even more models. Samsung may invite the users of the Galaxy S24 series, S23 series, as well as previous foldable models, to test before the Stable jump.

Unlike One UI 8.0, One UI 8.5 is a major upgrade, built on Android 16. It brings a new design language that is more fluid and dynamic. The application of blur across the interface makes it pleasing on Galaxy devices.

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One UI 8.5 is entering a new Beta phase as Samsung continues to prepare Beta builds after the official debut with the Galaxy S26 series.

Samsung officially unveiled One UI 8.5 along with the Galaxy S26 series. The new flagships ship with the Stable version of One UI 8.5. Meanwhile, users of the Galaxy S25 series are running the sixth Beta build released last week.

Tipster TarunVats spotted a new One UI 8.5 Beta for the Galaxy S25 series. The latest internal build carries PDA build version ending with ZZC3. This build has started to be prepared in March, but the patch level is still February 2026.

Why are we calling it a new phase?

On February 25, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series debuted One UI 8.5. A day later, the company has started the rollout of Beta 6 for the Galaxy S25 series. The previous Beta was already in prep even before the software went official.

March 2026 marks the evolution of One UI 8.5. The software has officially landed with new flagships, and the Beta Program is approaching its end. We might receive Beta 7 as the closure test software before the public build.

Galaxy S26 series will mark the rollout of One UI 8.5 on its Global release, set for March 11. Samsung has already confirmed the updates will be provided to existing Galaxy devices sequentially thereafter.

Samsung kept the Beta Program limited to the Galaxy S25 series. Meanwhile, the update is already being prepared for dozens of Galaxy models, excluding the S21 FE. Expect more polishing across the user interface with Beta 7.

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Samsung has reportedly made an important change to the camera system in the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. The company has replaced the periscope-style 5x zoom camera that was used in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. This new design brings some improvements but also a small drawback.

According to a report from GSMArena, the Galaxy S26 Ultra uses a different lens design for its 5x optical zoom camera. Instead of the usual periscope setup, Samsung may have switched to a more traditional camera arrangement.

In older Ultra models, Samsung used a periscope camera system. This system uses a prism to bend light at a 90-degree angle so the lens can fit sideways inside the phone. This helps phones offer strong optical zoom without making the device thicker.

Image via GSMArena

The new camera setup in the S26 Ultra appears to place the lens elements and the sensor parallel to the phone. Because of this change, the camera behaves slightly differently compared to the previous model.

The most noticeable change is the minimum focus distance. The 5x camera on the Galaxy S26 Ultra can focus on subjects starting from about 52 cm away. On the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the camera could focus from 26 cm, which allowed better close-up shots.

For users who like taking close-up photos with the telephoto camera, this could feel like a small downgrade. However, most people mainly use the 5x zoom camera for taking photos of subjects that are far away.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra produces more natural circular or oval bokeh instead of rectangular. This can make portrait shots and night photos look smoother.

Reports suggest that Samsung might be using ALoP (All Lenses on Prism) technology. This design places the lenses on top of the prism and can allow a brighter aperture and a slimmer camera module.

Interestingly, Samsung has not used the word “periscope” in its official information about the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The company has also not confirmed the exact design of the new 5x zoom camera yet.

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Samsung appears to be preparing for the launch of another smartphone in its popular A-series lineup – Galaxy A57. The upcoming Samsung Galaxy A57 has not been officially announced yet, but new clues suggest that the device may arrive soon.

A well-known accessory maker, Ringke, has already revealed several accessories designed for the Galaxy A57. These products include phone cases, screen protectors, and camera lens protectors.

Accessory makers usually release such products shortly before a smartphone launch so users can buy protection for their new devices right away. It shows that the Galaxy A57 could launch soon.

Ringke’s lineup includes multiple case options, including a magnetic case. Even though the phone itself may not support wireless charging, the magnetic case can still help users attach accessories like magnetic mounts or stands.

Image via Ringke

The cases are expected to cost between $18.99 and $24.99. Besides accessories, earlier leaks have also revealed some key details about the phone’s hardware and features.

Image via Ringke

The Galaxy A57 is expected to feature a large 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Samsung’s Exynos 1680 processor with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. Reports say the phone could launch together with the Samsung Galaxy A37 soon.

For users looking for a premium smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series is already available for pre-order. This flagship lineup offers high-end performance, advanced cameras, and the latest features from Samsung. Customers who want the newest flagship experience can reserve the device ahead of its official release.

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Samsung has quietly changed the name of its default web browser on some of its newest phones. The app that was earlier called Samsung Internet will now be known as Samsung Browser.

This new change has been noticed on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which runs on the new One UI 8.5 software. The new name makes the browser easier to recognize.

Samsung Internet has been renamed to Samsung Browser. On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the app is simply shown as “Browser” in the app drawer. This is because Samsung started removing the word “Samsung” from many of its default apps with the One UI 7.0 update.

Image via SAMMobile

When users check the app in the Galaxy Store on the Galaxy S26, the new name Samsung Browser can also be seen there. The name change comes with version 29.0.4.45 of the app.

Right now, the new name is only visible on devices running One UI 8.5. Older Galaxy phones are still using the old name. The Galaxy S23 Ultra running One UI 8.0 still shows the app as Samsung Internet Browser. The version available there is 29.0.1.12.

Aside from this, the Galaxy S26 series is currently available for pre-order in many markets. The new phones come with better performance, new features, and the latest One UI software. Samsung is offering amazing discounts on these new Galaxy S26 phones.

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Samsung has pushed a new update for the Theme Park app with version 1.1.01.46. This update improves the app’s stability and overall performance. The company regularly updates its apps to make them work better and provide a smoother experience for Galaxy users.

According to the official changelog, the fresh update brings a few improvements to the app. Samsung has fixed some errors that happened in certain situations while using Theme Park. These fixes will help the app run more smoothly and reduce problems that users may have faced earlier.

Moreover, the update improves the way icons are applied and edited while creating a theme. This means users may now find it easier to adjust icons when designing their custom themes.

Image via SammyFans

Aside from these improvements, the update also brings changes to the screen performance. Samsung has optimized screen rendering and resource handling in the app. It means the app now uses system resources more efficiently. Users may notice smoother navigation and better performance while using the app.

Theme Park is a customization app available for Samsung Galaxy devices. It allows users to create their own themes and personalize the look of their phone. Even though the update does not bring any big new features, the new update improves the overall user experience.

Galaxy users can download the latest Theme Park version 1.1.01.46 from the Galaxy Store. Users simply need to open the Galaxy Store, search for Theme Park, and install the latest update to enjoy the improvements. Also, they can download it directly from the Good Lock app.

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Google has started adding a new warning in the Google Play Store to help Android users avoid apps that may drain their phone battery quickly. This new feature tells users if an app might use more battery than normal before they download it.

From March 2026, some app pages in the Play Store will show a message that says the app may use more battery than expected because of high background activity. This means the app keeps running in the background and may use power even when you are not using it.

Several smartphone users face battery issues because some apps continue working in the background. These apps can wake up the phone again and again, which stops the device from saving power. Because of this, the battery may run out faster.

Google wants to solve this problem and improve the experience for Android users. To do this, the company has created a new system that checks how often an app wakes up a device. This activity is measured using wake locks. If an app uses too many wake locks, it can cause high battery usage.

Image via Google

Google is also giving developers new tools and information. This will help them see how their apps use battery power. Developers can then fix problems and make their apps more efficient.

Apps that cross the limit for high battery use may get a warning on their Play Store page. These apps may also appear less often in recommendations or other discovery sections in the store.

However, some apps will not get this warning if their background activity is important. For example, music streaming apps, location-based apps, or apps that download files when a user asks them to may still run in the background.

Google says the feature will roll out slowly over the next few weeks, so more users can see these warnings.

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The Galaxy S26 Ultra PUBG showcase in San Francisco on February 26 wasn’t just another tournament. Samsung has turned a phone launch into a year-long esports circuit.

It was the opening bell for the entire 2026 #PlayGalaxy Cup, a full season of mobile competition that kicks off regionals in May and ends at Gamescom in Cologne.

100 Thieves sent Sunny, CouRage, NiceWigg and Octane. OfflineTV rolled in with TinaKitten, Yvonnie, Foolish and Masayoshi. They were joined by eight members of TeamGalaxy, forming a 16-player lineup of creators and competitors.

The #PlayGalaxy Cup: PUBG Mobile Global Open was livestreamed on Ludwig’s YouTube channel, attracting 16.77 million views. The broadcast was also streamed on Samsung’s YouTube channel and co-streamed by creators.

A center-stage screen showed what the Galaxy S26 Ultra was rendering in real time, smooth and loud. Additionally, there was a demo zone where visitors could try the phone and see if it actually held up under gameplay pressure.

Regionals start rolling out across Europe, Southeast Asia, Oceania, North America, India and South America in May. Winners advance to the World Final at one of the biggest gaming conventions on the planet.

The Korean tech giant is betting that if you’re going to spend that much, you want a device that can handle competitive play without thermal throttle or frame drops.

“The Global Open marked a milestone with the launch of the inaugural 2026 #PlayGalaxy Cup league,” said David Moon, Head of Influencer Marketing, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “We look forward to continuing this journey with gaming fans around the world.”

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Samsung quietly announced a price hike for 14 Galaxy phones in India. The cost revision primarily targets budget and mid-range phones. The revised prices have come into effect on March 5, hurting consumer purchasing power.

The price revisions surfaced through a channel partner memo, via AbhishekYadav. Galaxy A17 5G, which now costs up to INR 3,000 more, depending on configuration. It is a crucial device that helps Samsung spike volume in the market.

Here’s what changed

Galaxy M36 and F36 both increased by INR 500 on the 128GB model and INR 1,500 on the 256 GB. Same story for the M17 5G and F17 5G, though the F17 saw slightly smaller jumps, ranging from INR 500 to INR 1,000.

You could maybe ignore a 500 rupee bump if you were already reaching for your wallet.

Galaxy A17’s situation is different

Base model went from around INR 18,000 to nearly INR 19,000 in some channels, and the top spec 8GB/256GB variant climbed to INR 23,499. The A06 5G also sneaked up by as much as INR 1,500.

Meanwhile, Samsung did something interesting here. According to the memo, price adjustments “as per Price Protection Policy” will apply to existing stock held by channel partners, excluding direct retailers.

Rising component costs and memory supply issues are the usual suspects this year. The company already raised prices on Galaxy A56, A36, and F17 5G in early January, ranging from INR 1,000 to INR 2,000.

Budget-conscious buyers who were stretching to Samsung for brand trust and software support now have less room to stretch. The M and F series exist specifically to hit aggressive price points in offline retail and smaller towns.

Credits – Abhishek Yadav

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With the latest software update, Samsung is bringing a visual treat to its smartwatches. After Watch 7 and Watch 8, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 series is receiving the February 2026 patch, which also carries the One UI 8.5 update screen.

The firmware update is rolling out in South Korea. An expansion will take place sequentially, more widely once Samsung ensures stability. You can look forward to an even more elevated user experience post-installation.

One UI 8.5 Update Screen

Samsung’s updated Galaxy Wearable app pushes the One UI 8.5 update screen to the Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic with February 2026 patch.

The new update screen revamps the background with a more dynamic image. It’s the same as Samsung offers to Galaxy phones and tablets with the latest software.

The visual carries vibes from One UI 9 aesthetics. It’s a silent indication to the next iteration of Samsung’s One UI, which will be based on Android 17.

February 2026 Patch

Samsung’s February patch is another notable point in the Watch 6 update. It improves system security and stability to elevate reliability. With enhanced security, the Watch will keep your data secure against vulnerabilities.

Last month’s patch addresses thirty-seven CVEs and SVEs. These are applicable to mobile phones, and the watches may have some differences. But it wouldn’t be that much, as One UI Watch is based on Wear OS, which is built on Android.

To update the Watch:

• Open Galaxy Wearable > Watch settings > Watch software update > Download and install.

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Galaxy S26 series has just outclassed Samsung’s preorders record. The newly announced flagship lineup has surpassed the Galaxy S25 series in preorders, which was known to have the highest shipments in recent years.

On March 6, Samsung revealed (via IceUniverse) that the Galaxy S26 series preorders hit 1.35 million units in South Korea. The new phones have beaten their predecessors, which managed to secure 1.3 million preorders.

As forecasted, Galaxy S26 Ultra is the fan favorite. The Ultra version alone occupies roughly 70 percent share in total preorders. It shows Samsung was right when it increased the production of Ultra early last month.

It’s said that the Galaxy S26 Ultra has become the highest-selling Ultra model in Samsung’s history. The frenzy is driven by practical upgrades that are pushing fans to upgrade to the new flagship.

Samsung has also retained the double storage benefit offer. It practically saves money and encourages buyers to consider upgrading to the new model, with trade-in benefits added.

The South Korean tech giant has increased the prices of its new flagships. Despite the steep jump, the new flagship phones are selling like hotcakes, solidifying the love for the Galaxy is unbreakable.

The report also talks about the trending colors of each model. Consumers prefer White and Black for the S26, Black and Cobalt Purple for the S26 Plus, and Black and White for the S26 Ultra.

Cobalt Violet/Purple is the hero color of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Meanwhile, the other three colors are equally iconic, with pre-order stats confirming the consumers are sided on the flip of hero shade.

Samsung may soon share Galaxy S26 preorder data for other markets.

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Samsung has raised the prices of many of its Galaxy smartphones in India. The new prices started on March 5, 2026. The increase affects several models from the Galaxy A, F, and M series. Samsung has informed its retail partners about these price changes.

The main reason for the price rise is the increasing cost of memory and other parts used in smartphones. As components become more expensive, companies like Samsung need to adjust their prices.

According to a reliable tipster, Abhishek Yadav, the prices of some mid-range Samsung Galaxy smartphones have been increased. The new prices are as follows.

The Galaxy M36 is now ₹21,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model, ₹500 higher than before. The 8GB + 256GB version has gone up by ₹1,500 to ₹25,999. The Galaxy F36 also became more expensive. The 6GB + 128GB model now costs ₹21,999, and the 6GB + 256GB version is ₹25,999.

The Galaxy M17 5G has increased too. The 6GB + 128GB model is now ₹16,499, up ₹500, and the 8GB + 128GB version is ₹18,499, up ₹1,000. The Galaxy F17 lineup has also seen a rise. The 4GB + 128GB model is ₹16,999, the 6GB + 128GB model is ₹18,999, and the 8GB + 128GB version is ₹20,999.

The Galaxy A17 has one of the biggest increases. The 6GB + 128GB model now costs ₹20,499, the 8GB + 128GB model is ₹22,499, and the 8GB + 256GB version is ₹26,499. For the Galaxy A06 5G, only the 6GB + 128GB model has increased to ₹15,999. The other two models remain at the same price.

Earlier this year, Samsung had already increased the prices of some other smartphones like the Galaxy A36, A56, and F17. Reports also say that Samsung may increase prices for its Galaxy Tab tablets soon.

With memory and component costs rising, smartphone prices in India may continue to go up this year. Consumers should expect small increases in other models as well. Stay tuned for more information.

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Samsung is reportedly working on a new idea for its future Galaxy Z Flip phones. A new patent suggests that the company could be testing a design with two displays on the front of the phone. This is different from current Galaxy Z Flip models, which only have one cover screen.

A new foldable phone patent spotted by 91Mobiles reveals that the phone could have a circular display on the front. Around this circular screen, there is another larger display that wraps around it. This bigger display would cover the top half of the phone when it is folded. With this design, users may be able to see more information or use more features without opening the phone.

The circular display in the patent looks similar to the outer screen seen on the Huawei P50 Pocket. That phone also has a round display on the outside. However, the Huawei device only has one small screen, while Samsung’s patent shows two displays on the front. This makes Samsung’s design look a bit more unique.

Image via 91Mobiles

Right now, it is not clear how useful the second display would be. Current Galaxy Z Flip phones already have a cover screen that can show notifications, time, weather, and even work as a camera viewfinder. Because of this, adding another screen may not be very necessary and could also use more battery.

It is also important to remember that many companies file patents to protect their ideas and technology. Not all patents become real products. 

Meanwhile, Samsung is working to launch its next foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, later this year. The launch is expected to happen around July, and this device could debut with One UI 9. Stay tuned for more information.

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Battery life is one of the most important things people want in a smartphone. Everyone wants a phone that can last the whole day without needing to charge it again. And the upcoming OnePlus 15T may take battery life much further than most flagship phones.

According to the latest information, the OnePlus 15T will come with a huge 7,500mAh “Glacier” battery. This is much bigger than the batteries we usually see in premium smartphones today. What is even more surprising is that OnePlus may fit this big battery inside a smaller and more compact phone.

On the other hand, the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a battery of only 5,000mAh. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers around 5,088mAh, and the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL has about 5,200mAh.

These phones are known for good battery performance because of smart software and efficient processors. However, the OnePlus 15T will feature much bigger battery, which means it could last much longer on a single charge. For many users, it may even last up to two days, depending on how they use the phone.

In addition to this, charging speed is another big advantage. The OnePlus 15T is expected to support 100W fast wired charging and 50W wireless charging, so the battery can fill up very quickly. The phone will reportedly come with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, a better periscope telephoto camera, and strong IP68 and IP69K water and dust protection.

If these rumors turn out to be true, the OnePlus 15T could become one of the best phones for battery life and show why other brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google are struggling to match it.

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Samsung has shared a new promotional campaign for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra featuring model and content creator Haley Baylee. The campaign focuses on a new feature called Privacy Display, which helps users keep their phone screens private when they are in public places.

Last month, the Galaxy S26 Ultra launched at the Galaxy Unpacked event along with the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus. This phone lineup brings improved AI tools and features that make daily tasks easier for users.

In the campaign video, Haley Baylee is shown using the Galaxy S26 Ultra while sitting on a busy airplane. Other passengers around her try to peek at what she is doing on her phone. In a fun and creative twist, many of these passengers are played by Haley herself. The video shows how common it is for people to accidentally or purposely look at someone else’s phone screen in public spaces.

The Privacy Display feature helps prevent this problem. With a simple tap, users can turn on the feature to limit what others can see from the side of the screen. While the phone owner can see everything clearly, people sitting nearby will not be able to view the screen easily.

This technology works because the phone controls how the display spreads light. When Privacy Display is active, the light is directed so that the screen is only clear to the person looking straight at it.

Users can also adjust the settings. They can hide notifications or protect sensitive actions such as typing passwords or opening certain apps.

According to Haley Baylee, the feature gives users more control over their privacy. Samsung hopes the Galaxy S26 Ultra will help people use their phones with more confidence, even in crowded places.

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Last month, Samsung officially released the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and it will be officially available from March 11. If you have pre-ordered the phone or are planning to buy it, Samsung has made it easier to get to know your Galaxy S26 Ultra device by releasing the official user manual.

Getting a new phone is exciting, but it can also be a little confusing, mainly if you are switching from another brand. Many people watch YouTube videos or search online to learn about their phone. But with the user manual, you can find everything in one place. It explains all the features clearly and shows you how to use them step by step.

Now, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra manual is available. It describes what each feature does and how you can use it. Whether you want to explore the camera, adjust settings, use the S-Pen, or try other advanced features, the manual makes it easy to understand.

The manual also helps with features that are not easy to find in video tutorials. You can follow the instructions in the manual to make sure you are using your phone in the best way.

To get started, you can download the Galaxy S26 Ultra user manual using the link below. Reading the manual before your phone arrives will save time and help you enjoy all the new features from day one.

• Download Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra User Manual – Link

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At Mobile World Congress 2026, Vivo showed its upcoming flagship phone, the Vivo X300 Ultra. And the company confirmed that the phone will support the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec. This new video format is developed by Samsung for high-quality video recording. It first introduced on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

The APV codec helps phones record very high-quality videos while keeping the file size smaller. Samsung says videos recorded with APV can be about 20% smaller than videos recorded with formats like High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). This means users can save storage space on their phones. At the same time, the video quality remains very clear.

Moreover, this APV codec also saves each video frame separately. This makes editing videos easier and smoother for creators. It also helps reduce lag while previewing or editing clips. Some popular editing apps like DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, and LumaFusion already support this format.

The new codec also works well because Android 16 includes built-in support for it. The phone will run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip from Qualcomm. This processor also supports APV at the hardware level. This helps the phone record and process videos smoothly.

Vivo X300 Ultra also comes with a powerful camera system, including a 200MP main camera from Sony and a 200MP telephoto camera from Samsung with 3.7x optical zoom. There is also a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP front camera for selfies. This setup is designed for high-quality photos and videos.

Also, Vivo has confirmed that the phone will launch in several global markets. This will be the first time Vivo releases one of its Ultra models more widely outside China. The launch could create stronger competition for Samsung’s flagship phones. 

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Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold recently became the subject of an interesting DIY experiment by tech YouTuber Scotty Allen from the Strange Parts channel. In his project, he tried to increase the phone’s battery capacity by replacing the original batteries with three larger silicon-carbon batteries.

The Galaxy Z TriFold normally comes with a 5,600mAh battery. This battery is already quite big because the phone has a large foldable screen and a cover display that needs a lot of power. For most people, the original battery is enough for everyday use. However, Allen wanted to see if the phone could hold a much larger battery.

To begin the experiment, he carefully opened the phone and removed its original batteries. He also removed the battery management system that controls how the battery works.

Following that, he installed three silicon-carbon batteries inside the device. Because these batteries were larger than the original ones, he had to design custom plates to make them fit properly.

Image via
Strange Parts

After many attempts and a few damaged phones, he finally managed to create a working version of the device. The modified phone had a total battery capacity of 9,600mAh. This is about 4,000mAh more than the original battery and almost equal to the battery size of another phone like the Samsung Galaxy S24.

The new type of battery technology, silicon-carbon batteries, uses silicon in the battery material, allowing them to store more energy than traditional batteries. This means smartphones could have bigger batteries without becoming much thicker.

However, these batteries also have some downsides. They can expand more during use and may not last as long as regular batteries.

The hardest part of the project was not installing the batteries. The biggest problem was putting the foldable screen back together. In the final device, a white line appeared across the screen, showing that the display was slightly damaged.

Even though the project was not perfect, it shows how future battery technology could improve smartphone battery life.

Check the full video here:

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February 2026 Google Play System Update has arrived for Samsung users, and nobody is celebrating. Samsung was busy with One UI 8.5 Beta testing and the Galaxy Unpacked event, which delayed the February patch rollout.

The February 2026 version has arrived recently, weighing in at roughly 90MB. Galaxy devices were stuck on the July 1, 2025, Google Play System version in some cases. The latest release comes as a big relief for those Galaxy fans.

In mid-February, tons of Galaxy phones suddenly started receiving the January update. Such updates exist so manufacturers don’t need to push full OTA patches every time Google tweaks something in the backend.

The Play System updates hadn’t touched Samsung Galaxy devices in some time, dating back to mid-2025, then those updates resumed.

Google describes the February 2026 Play System update with improvements to security and privacy and updates for bug fixes, plus new developer features for Google and third-party app developers
to handle web content.

You can now track your progress across games with trophies in the You tab, and a persistent navigation bar on large-screen devices makes navigating the Play Store slightly less annoying.

Samsung’s handling of these updates has been a mess. The company has remained silent for months, left users on outdated builds, and blamed One UI 8 rollout conflicts.

February’s build is live; install it when it shows up. Just don’t assume March’s update will arrive on time.

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Samsung pushed a new Galaxy Store update, introducing a new “Benefits” tab Galaxy S26 Ultra giveaway. After Reserve sweepstakes, this is the second opportunity to enter the year’s second biggest giveaway with the least effort.

Galaxy Store version 4.6.5.3 brings the “Benefits” tab to the navigation bar, and it contains a Galaxy S26 Ultra giveaway. Samsung confirmed the rollout is sequential, meaning you may not immediately gain access to the changes.

Galaxy Store Benefits Tab

Samsung is doubling down on the usability of Galaxy Store. Thanks to the new “Benefits” tab, Galaxy’s native app store has become beneficial. It has different categories of perks that unlock with simple tasks and processes.

Activities include: Daily bonus, Spin to win, Refer a friend, Redeem a code, and so on.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Giveaway

Right now, the biggest offer inside the Benefits hub is the Galaxy S26 Ultra giveaway. It falls under the March Monthly Sweepstakes, which is free to join and requires tickets to add entries.

You get a key entitled “Enter now” to secure your entry. As confirmed by LarrySWhite, the first entry is free, and one can add multiple entries. These entries require “Tickets” that you could score by completing specific tasks.

The program is running throughout March, so make sure you mark your entry.

Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299 in the United States. Samsung is currently offering double storage benefit in the preorder phase. It’s available in four standard and two exclusive colors; you can score up to $900 trade-in credit.

Credits – Larry S White

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Samsung has rolled out a new LockStar update, and if you’ve been dealing with busted clock settings or weird brightness issues on your AOD lock screen.

This modest patch comes with LockStar version 6.1.00.18, but the fixes actually matter if you’re running One UI 8.0 or higher. As described in the changelog, the update tackles a handful of specific annoyances.

Lock screen and always-on-display clock settings were throwing errors for some users, which is the kind of basic functionality problem that shouldn’t exist this late in the One UI cycle.

Samsung also patched bugs that surfaced during Smart Switch transfers and GTS testing. Another patch included for the manual brightness malfunction on devices without full-screen AOD support.

LockStar March 2026 update changelog:

People who actually bought into Samsung’s lock screen ecosystem need stability. These aren’t flashy notes, but they’re the kind that keep daily use from feeling like a Beta test.

• Fixed lock screen / AOD clock settings error
• Fixed errors occurring during Smart Switch / GTS
• Fixed manual brightness malfunction on non-Full screen AOD devices

With the March 2026 update, the Samsung LockStar update doesn’t reimagine anything or add new customization options. It just makes the thing work the way it should’ve worked from the start.

Should you grab it now?

If you’ve seen any of these bugs yourself, yes. If your lock screen’s been behaving, you can wait a week and let someone else handle the weird edge cases.

• Get the latest LockStar from Galaxy Store.

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Samsung scooped up a bunch of superfans, flew them to San Francisco, and gave them Galaxy S26 feature superfans access before anyone else could get their hands on it.

From late February, the company hosted the Galaxy Community Connect 2026 event. Over 50 people from 17 countries got to test drive the unreleased Galaxy S26 and Buds 4 series.

Samsung Members Stars are the people who actually post high-quality content on Samsung’s community platform. Samsung also pulled in Reddit users, who bought Galaxy devices and then got mad at you in the comments.

Features from the Galaxy S26 series that were trending include Now Nudge, Privacy Display, Circle to Search, and Super Clear Calls of the Galaxy Buds 4 series.

Now Nudge checks your calendar when someone messages about plans and presents a context aware popup if there’s a conflict.

Privacy Display on the S26 Ultra adjusts viewing angles to block visibility from side angles. It can be activated in settings, bringing additional personalization for specific apps.

Upgraded Circle to Search can now handle multi-element searches, like circling a celebrity’s outfit and getting curated pieces to recreate the look.

Super Clear Call uses deep neural network tech and a voice pickup unit to separate your voice from background noise, then doubles Bluetooth bandwidth to 16kHz for Super Wideband calling.

AMA session: Sungdae Joshua Cho, who runs Visual Solution for Samsung’s mobile division, took live questions. The company says it’ll keep doing this kind of direct community engagement.

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JB Park, President and CEO for Southwest Asia, let slip that the entire Galaxy S26 lineup will roll off the production line at Samsung Noida factory in India (not just assembling, but full manufacturing).

CEO Park also revealed engineers at the Bengaluru and Noida R&D facilities in India “played a pivotal role” in developing the S26 Galaxy series.

Park said “Galaxy S26 series” but didn’t break it down. Does that include the S26 Ultra, or just the base and Plus variants? Samsung’s done splitting manufacturing before, so it’s worth asking.

If you’ve been watching Samsung’s India operations, you know those two hubs have been scaling up quietly for the better part of three years now.

Every tech giant with a factory in India loves to talk about local production. It’s good optics, it softens import duty hits, and it makes the government happy.

Meanwhile, R&D is different, which means the actual decisions about hardware, software integration, feature sets, and performance tuning are happening on the ground in India.

If Bengaluru and Noida engineers really did shape the S26 series, then Samsung’s betting that its India talent can build flagships that will sell around the world.

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New year, new controversy. Samsung can’t enjoy the privilege Apple does after unveiling new products. While the internet praises Apple’s every move, it’s just the opposite when it comes to Samsung. The newly launched Galaxy S26 Ultra is already a hot topic, adding fuel to the trend; fake reports of Green Line and display glitches have surfaced online.

Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 Ultra with its best display technology. The panel features M14 material set and Flex Magic Pixel technology. The OLED brings a Privacy Display feature that dims brightness through software.

No doubt, Galaxy phones are famous for their green/pink line issues. We’ve seen reports of a vertical line surfacing on several models. Even some Galaxy S24 Ultra users reported that a green line appeared without physical damage.

A Reddit user, u/Eziolambo, posted a cryptic post earlier. The original poster slapped a dashed green line on the Galaxy S26 Ultra display using AI/Photoshop. The user asked if “the S26 Ultra’s green line will have breaks in between.”

It was pure fun, and the question is literally factual given the pixel structure of the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s screen. Meanwhile, things went opposite when the altered picture was taken to X and circulated as a real scenario.

The cropped image has gone viral on X, with hundreds of users flooding the comments section. Some spotted that the image is fabricated using AI, while the wider impact isn’t visible in comments, but it’s hurting the initial hype.

Apart from this, reports of Privacy Display have degraded the screen quality are also trending on the internet. There’s a targeted negativity being spread against the brand and the device, which needs to be addressed by Samsung.

If you’re planning to purchase the Galaxy S26 Ultra, visit your nearest Samsung Experience Store. Have a hands-on experience before making the purchase, at the same store, or order from the Samsung Store thereafter.

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Caviar just unveiled the Totem collection, a set of modded Galaxy S26 Ultra. The flagship model, Fire Horse, clocks in at $11,490, while the cheapest model costs $10,490.

Only 76 people can buy into this particular fever dream. Each Totem design, whether it’s the Fire Horse or the Lion or the Falcon or the Wolf, gets capped at 19 units.

The phone’s cost, $11,490, is three months of rent in most American cities for a phone with hand-painted red enamel and a 24K gold horse rearing up on the back.

Caviar Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Fire Horse treatment involves hand-applied red enamel layered over black titanium with a PVD coating that watchmakers like Richard Mille lean on when they want something durable that looks expensive.

The horse itself is a bas-relief sculpture, not a sticker. It’s meant to honor the Fire Horse in the Eastern Zodiac, which governs 2026. That said, the money isn’t just buying gold plating, though there’s plenty of that.

The other three Totem variants follow the same playbook.

Caviar knows its audience

Caviar’s been doing this for years now. Slap gold and carbon fiber on flagships, invent some mystical narrative around archetypes or zodiac signs, then sell them to people who find normal luxury boring.

This isn’t for people budgeting their next upgrade. It’s for people who want a conversation piece that doubles as a status object and happens to make phone calls.

A regular Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,300, while Caviar wants eight times that for materials and craftsmanship. You’re still getting the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, same 200MP camera, same privacy display tech.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Caviar Models

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After a brief halt, Samsung’s software rollout has returned to the usual pace. Due to the Galaxy S26 Unpacked, the distribution of the February 2026 update has been pushed to March, with the Galaxy Tab S11, Tab S9, and Tab S8 starting to receive it.

Samsung is bringing the February 2026 security update to the Galaxy Tab S11, Galaxy Tab S9, and Galaxy Tab S8 series tablets. The software has initially landed in South Korea, and the expansion is likely to take place shortly, via Aptivi.

• Galaxy Tab S8 series – EZB6/JZB6
• Galaxy Tab S9 series – DZB6
• Galaxy Tab S11 series – AZB8

The company recently shared details of its March 2026 patch. Galaxy’s next SMR will bring patches to sixty-seven CVE and SVE items. It includes improvements for Android and One UI for better system security and stability.

February 2026 security patch carries thirty-seven improvements. Among the total items, twenty-five were provided by Google, while the remaining twelve were provided by Samsung.

If you own a Galaxy device, open the system Settings, followed by the Software update page. Tap on the Download and install button to initiate the process. Hit Restart now to begin the installation of the update on your tablet.

Samsung is also tailoring One UI 8.5 for several Galaxy devices. The official version landed with the S26 series last month. The public rollout to existing models may commence in April, with another Beta coming to the S25 series.

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Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic users begin receiving the February 2026 update. Recently, Samsung pushed a new firmware update to the Watch 7, which also carried the February 2026 security patch.

For mobile devices, Samsung provides 37 security improvements. It consists of 25 CVE items from Google and 12 SVE items from Samsung. Galaxy Watches run the Wear OS operating system, which is actually based on Android.

Users of the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic can identify the update via the PDA build version ending with AZB1 (via LarrySWhite). The software weighs roughly 430 megabytes. Samsung will sequentially expand the availability of the February patch.

You may have been wondering why March update bringing February patch?

Wear OS watches were expected to receive new update in February. Since Galaxy wearables get new OTAs every quarter, February was the timeline. However, the Galaxy S26’s launch has delayed the software distribution for all devices.

Source – Samsung

Expect the next firmware update in May or June, while the patch could be dated May 2026. Meanwhile, we would see the expansion of February patch to the remaining Galaxy Watch models over the next couple of days.

Check for updates on your Watch or Wearable app on mobile. Open Watch settings followed by Watch software update. Hit Download and install to allow the system establish connection with the server and fetch the OTA.

Previously, Samsung rolled out Wear OS 6-based One UI 8 Watch to Watch 7 and older models. It brought plenty of new features and design tweaks. The new tile system elevates usability by offering the creation of function-based combinations.

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Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra secured the biggest award at MWC 2026, the “Best in Show.” It is the first honour that the new flagship smartphone has gained. The class of this award solidifies its supremacy in the world of Android.

On February 5, Samsung announced MWC 2026 named the Galaxy S26 Ultra as “Best in Show.” The victory was declared at the Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO Awards), with the device clearing a field of more than 3,000 exhibitors at MWC.

The judging panel, comprising over 200 industry analysts, journalists who’ve forgotten more about mobile tech than most product managers will ever learn, and assorted veterans, handed Samsung the gold standard.

The S26 Ultra ships with the world’s first built-in Privacy Display. The flagship also features a custom Snapdragon chipset that runs Galaxy AI faster than the S25 Ultra. One UI 8.5 sits on top, and the software is supposedly smart enough.

Shaun Collins, chair of the MWC Best in Show panel, said the S26 Ultra “pushes the boundaries” while delivering real-world impact. He specifically called out the privacy angle as addressing “one of the most important needs” of how people actually use phones today.

Collins admitted that the MWC panel is looking for products that move the industry forward. The panel said most of MWC was future-gazing tech that sounds great in a keynote but won’t ship until your current phone is already obsolete.

Stephanie Choi, Samsung’s EVP running mobile marketing, leaned into the “Agentic AI Phone” phrasing during her acceptance remarks. That term’s going to get beaten into the ground over the next six months.

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Google is planning to change how apps and app stores work on Android phones. These changes are connected to a legal case with Epic Games, the company that made Fortnite. The two companies have suggested a settlement, but a court has not officially approved it yet. Even so, Google has started preparing for the new changes.

The main change is about the money app developers pay to Google. Right now, developers can pay up to 30% of the money they earn from app sales and in-app purchases. Under the new plan, this cost will be split into two parts: a service fee and a billing fee.

The service fee will be between 15% and 20%, which is lower than before. But in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, developers who use Google Play’s payment system will also pay an extra 5%. Because of this extra fee, some developers may end up paying about the same as they do now.

Image via Google

Aside from this, there is also a small change for subscriptions. The service fee for subscription apps will drop from 15% to 10%. However, in some regions, the extra 5% billing fee will still apply.

Google is also creating a new “Registered App Store” program. This will allow other app stores to officially work with Android if they follow certain safety and quality rules. These approved app stores will be easier for users to install. Joining this program will be optional.

The new payment system should start in the US, UK, and Europe by late June, and worldwide by September 30, 2027. Stay tuned for more information

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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of the most powerful phones of 2026. People always care about battery life, and the latest S26 Ultra has been tested against other top phones to see how long it can last. Popular YouTuber Mrwhosetheboss shared a full test video showing how the phone performs in real life.

The test compared the Galaxy S26 Ultra with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and last year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, along with other brands’ flagships. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh battery, the same as the S25 Ultra, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a slightly smaller battery. Even without increasing battery size, the Galaxy S26 Ultra lasted longer thanks to a new, more efficient chip and improved cooling.

During the test, the phones were used for scrolling social media, playing games, running performance tests, and streaming a full movie. Temperatures were also measured, because phones that get too hot can lose battery faster and run slower.

Image: Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Galaxy S26 Ultra stayed cooler than most of the other phones, including the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This helped it perform better for a longer time.

Other phones like the OnePlus 15, Oppo Find X9 Pro, Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL were also included. Some had bigger batteries on paper, but many did not last as long because heat and efficiency affect real-life performance. However, the OnePlus 15 and Oppo Find X9 Pro performed better than the Galaxy S26 Ultra in the battery test.

By the end of the test, the Galaxy S26 Ultra ran for about 12 hours. It outlasted the iPhone 17 Pro Max and performed better than the S25 Ultra from last year. This shows that Samsung’s improvements in chip efficiency and cooling make the Galaxy S26 Ultra one of the best phones for battery life in 2026.

Check the full video here:

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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has officially launched, and there is an interesting detail about its storage. Many people expected it to come with the newer UFS 4.1 storage. However, new information has confirmed that the phone actually uses UFS 4.0.

UFS stands for Universal Flash Storage, which is the system that controls how your phone saves and reads data. This affects how fast apps open, how quickly photos and videos are stored, and how smooth the phone feels while using it.

The newer UFS 4.1 version has some small improvements. It can manage storage better over time and clean up unused data more efficiently. It also supports newer memory technology that could allow up to 2TB of storage in the future.

Even though UFS 4.1 is more advanced, UFS 4.0 is already very fast. In everyday use, most people will not notice any difference. Apps will still open quickly. Games will still run smoothly. Watching videos, browsing the internet, and using social media will feel the same. The difference between the two versions is mostly technical and not something most users will see.

If the Galaxy S26 Ultra uses UFS 4.0, it is very likely that the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus also use the same type of storage.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299, and Samsung has kept the same price as last year’s model. Using UFS 4.0 instead of 4.1 may have helped the company control costs. Pre-orders are now live, and buyers can expect strong, smooth performance, even without the latest storage version.

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Samsung’s new Galaxy S26 series, including the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, may look very similar to last year’s models, but they come with some interesting upgrades that make them better to use. One of the most useful changes is a new NFC antenna at the top of each phone.

NFC is the technology that lets you make contactless payments or share files with other devices just by tapping your phone. In the past, Samsung phones had one NFC antenna on the back. Now, with the extra antenna, the phone can connect more easily and work faster with payment machines or other NFC devices.

This means you won’t have to wave your phone around trying to make a payment. Tap-to-pay should work quicker and more reliably, which is handy at stores, cafés, or anywhere you pay with your phone. The new antenna can also make transferring files between Galaxy S26 phones faster and smoother.

Source – Samsung

Even though it is a small change, it shows that Samsung is still finding ways to improve its phones every year. These kinds of upgrades make using your phone more convenient in everyday life, even if the design looks similar to last year’s model.

The Galaxy S26 series is now available for pre-order on Samsung.com. You can trade in your old phone for up to $900, or get $150 in store credit if you don’t trade in a device.

The new Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra may look familiar, but the extra NFC antenna is a smart addition that makes payments and file transfers faster and easier. For anyone who uses their phone for tap-to-pay or sending files to friends, it’s a small change that could make a big difference in daily use.

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Tesla is planning to more than double its orders of AI6 chips from Samsung. Last year, Tesla and Samsung signed a deal for Samsung to make 16,000 AI6 wafers per month. Now, Tesla has reportedly asked for an extra 24,000 wafers, bringing the total to 40,000 wafers per month.

The chips will be made at Samsung’s new factory in Taylor, Texas. The original contract lasts eight years and could earn Samsung about KRW 2-3 trillion per year. With the bigger order, Samsung’s revenue and profits could increase even more.

Tesla plans to use the AI6 chips in its self-driving cars, the Optimus robot, and Tesla’s AI data centers. The AI6 chips are expected to replace Tesla’s Dojo supercomputer, which runs several chips together on one server board.

Samsung Tesla

This year, Tesla is investing heavily in AI and robotics. The company said it will spend over $20 billion in 2026, almost double its usual annual spending of $8–11 billion. This shows Tesla is serious about improving its autonomous driving and robot technology.

Samsung and Tesla have worked together since 2019. Samsung made Tesla’s AI3, AI4, and part of AI5 chips. Now, AI6 production will return fully to Samsung. Tesla is also following a “No China, No Taiwan” policy for important parts, making Samsung’s Texas factory a safe choice.

The partnership is growing beyond chips. Samsung’s System LSI division has developed a 5G modem for Tesla cars, which will first be used in Texas robotaxis.

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Samsung is preparing to launch two new mid-range phones, the Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57. Now, new information reveals specs of both these Galaxy A series phones.

These phones will reportedly bring updated designs, bigger batteries, smooth displays, and faster processors. Both models look similar to last year’s phones but offer some important improvements that users will appreciate.

According to information via Android Headlines, the main updates include 6.7-inch flat Super AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates, which make scrolling and animations very smooth. Both phones run Android 16 with Samsung’s One UI 8.5, support dual SIM with eSIM, and include fast 45W wired charging for their 5,000mAh batteries.

The Galaxy A57 uses the newer Exynos 1680 processor, which offers better performance, while the Galaxy A37 has the Exynos 1480, still capable of daily tasks. Camera setups remain strong with a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, and a 12MP front camera.

Source – Samsung

Aside from this, the Galaxy A57 comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB storage. It weighs 192 grams and measures 161.5 x 76.9 x 6.9mm, making it slightly slimmer than the A37. Colors include Awesome Gray, Icyblue, Lilac, and Navy.

The Galaxy A37 is slightly larger and heavier at 196 grams and 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4mm. It comes with 6GB or 8GB RAM and the same storage options of 128GB or 256GB, but the storage is not expandable. Its display, battery, and camera setup are similar to the A57. Color options are Awesome Charcoal, Graygreen, Lavender, and White.

Both phones are expected to launch soon. Prices are rumored to be slightly higher than last year’s models, with the Galaxy A37 around €439 and the Galaxy A57 around €539 in Europe. These phones offer solid performance, modern designs, and large batteries. Stay tuned for more information.

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Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 next month. Ahead of that, both phones have appeared on Geekbench, showing better performance than their previous models. This suggests Samsung is improving its mid-range lineup.

The Galaxy A37 scored 1,138 in single-core and 3,450 in multi-core tests. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy A36 scored around 1,000 and 2,700. This means users can expect noticeably faster performance, mainly in multitasking.

On the other side, the Galaxy A57 scored 1,385 in single-core and 4,469 in multi-core tests. The older Samsung Galaxy A56 scored about 1,350 and 3,700. This shows a clear improvement in overall speed and efficiency.

The Galaxy A37 is expected to run on the Exynos 1480 chip, while the A57 may feature the Exynos 1680 processor. They should also launch with One UI 8.5 based on Android 16.

It is expected that Samsung might start the One UI 8.5 rollout for Galaxy S25 and other Galaxy devices ahead of their launch. Stay tuned for more information.

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