Samsung’s New Galaxy S26 Series: A Pricey Upgrade Worth Noticing

Samsung has raised eyebrows and wallet sizes with the unveiling of its Galaxy S26 series, and it seems like anticipation—and prices—are climbing. Jani McGregor from Forbes recently got a sneak peek at the new devices during a press briefing in London. Although some eager tech fans have already expressed concerns about the series’ price hike and missing features, there are plenty of shiny new things to take note of. If only wallets could stay hidden like some phones now can!

To kick things off, let’s talk dollars and pounds. The base model Galaxy S26 kicks off at a whopping £879 in the UK, with the Plus model at £1,099, and the Ultra priced at £1,279. But hey, they come with double the base storage—256 GB—because Samsung has decided to phase out the 128 GB option entirely. Why, you ask? Blame it on the global memory chip crunch caused by AI data centers working overtime. It seems they need all the memory they can hoard, leaving consumers with no choice but to pay up.

Samsung is making sure to cushion the blow of those price increases with some exciting features. One standout feature is the new privacy screen. It’s like a pair of sunglasses for your smartphone—turning opaque at certain angles to protect your confidential chats and embarrassing TikTok screens. Whether you’re squished into a crowded London tube or just hanging out at the coffee shop, this customizable privacy feature is a welcome addition. It’s like adding a secret sauce to your smartphone experience.

But that’s not all—Samsung’s Bixby has stepped up its game, acting more like a personal assistant who understands what you want, even if you can’t remember the exact setting’s name. Simply muttering something like “my eyes are strained?” and voila! The eye comfort shield is activated. It’s a bit like having a digital best friend who juggles your requests without missing a beat. Convenience levels are on the way up!

Now let’s not forget about the cameras. With improved low-light capabilities and a snazzy generative AI image editing tool, taking photos at night or giving selfies a touch of flair just got a whole lot easier. Imagine turning that bottle of water into a fine glass of red wine or plopping a stylish hat on your friend’s head—all at the tap of your finger. While these upgrades seem promising, it’s crucial to reserve final judgment until tech-loving reviewers can dive deeper into testing them.

And now, the moment everyone’s been waiting for—how does the S26 series perform under the hood? Samsung has chosen the XNOS 2600 to power the standard and plus models in Europe while letting the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 take the wheel for the Ultra. While the tech company has reassured fans that the performance of its processors has improved, many still harbor skepticism after past experiences. Moreover, one noteworthy absence in the lineup is the Galaxy S26 Edge, reportedly shelved after the underwhelming sales of its predecessor.

So, what’s the final verdict on the Galaxy S26? It’s an evolved iteration rather than a revolutionary leap forward, but the refinement and focus on practical features, like the privacy screen and smarter Bixby, make it a compelling choice for certain users. Samsung’s devices continue to ooze a premium feel, which could justify the prices for many buyers. However, budget-conscious customers will want to keep a close eye on future discounts and promotions, especially given the recent tight squeeze in memory production costs. For those dying to get their hands on the new phones, mark your calendars for March 1st—your wallets will thank you later!