Samsung Galaxy Unpacked February 25: Galaxy S26, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Qi2 Charging & Galaxy Buds 4 Explained

Samsung is officially kicking off its flagship smartphone cycle with a Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25 at 1PM ET, and all signs point to a major hardware refresh. After teasing innovation during CES 2026, Samsung is now ready to unveil the Galaxy S26 series, introduce updates to Galaxy AI, and debut the next generation of wireless earbuds: Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

Here’s a deep dive into the key features and what they mean for Android power users.

Galaxy S26 Series: Performance Gets a Serious Upgrade

The Galaxy S26 lineup — expected to include the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra — will reportedly be powered by Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: What’s New?

The Gen 5 chip is expected to deliver:

• Improved CPU and GPU performance for gaming and multitasking
• Enhanced on-device AI processing
• Greater power efficiency for better battery life
• Upgraded ISP (Image Signal Processor) for improved computational photography

If Samsung pairs this chipset with optimized Galaxy AI features, we could see smarter real-time translation, advanced photo editing, and AI-enhanced battery management.

For gamers and heavy users, the performance leap could be substantial — especially when combined with rumored increases in RAM and storage.

Increased RAM and Storage: Future-Proofing the Galaxy S26

Leaks suggest Samsung may boost both RAM and base storage configurations across the Galaxy S26 lineup.

This matters more than ever in 2026 because:

• AI features demand more memory overhead
• High-resolution video (8K and beyond) consumes massive storage
• Large mobile games routinely exceed 10GB
• On-device AI processing requires faster memory bandwidth

If Samsung increases base RAM (potentially starting at 12GB for standard models and higher for Ultra), multitasking performance could rival premium laptops for everyday workflows.

Storage upgrades would also position the S26 series competitively against other flagship smartphones that now treat 256GB as the new baseline.

Galaxy S26 Ultra: Hardware Innovations & Qi2 Charging

While the standard S26 and S26+ may focus on performance improvements, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to showcase the biggest hardware changes.

Updated Camera System

Samsung traditionally reserves its most ambitious camera hardware for the Ultra model. Early reports suggest:

• Refinements to the periscope zoom system
• Improved sensor processing via the Gen 5 ISP
• Enhanced low-light and computational photography

Given Samsung’s aggressive push in mobile photography, the S26 Ultra could once again compete directly with the best camera phones on the market.

Qi2 Wireless Charging Support

One of the most exciting rumors is proper Qi2 charging support.

Qi2 is the next-generation wireless charging standard that builds on Apple’s MagSafe-style magnetic alignment system. If the Galaxy S26 Ultra adopts full Qi2 compatibility, users could expect:

• Faster and more stable wireless charging
• Magnetic alignment for optimal efficiency
• A new ecosystem of magnetic accessories
• Reduced heat and energy loss

For Android users who have watched magnetic charging flourish elsewhere, Qi2 support could be a major ecosystem shift.

Galaxy AI Updates: Smarter, Faster, More Personal

Samsung is also expected to showcase upgrades to Galaxy AI, building on features introduced in previous generations.

With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s improved AI engine, Samsung could expand:

• On-device generative photo editing
• AI-powered summarization tools
• Real-time language translation
• Smarter voice assistant interactions
• Context-aware automation

The emphasis appears to be on on-device AI, which enhances privacy while reducing reliance on cloud processing.

Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Smarter Audio Companions

Alongside the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung is expected to introduce the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro.

What’s Rumored

• A redesigned form factor
• Support for head gesture controls
• Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip integration

The addition of a UWB chip could dramatically improve device tracking, allowing users to locate their earbuds more precisely using Google Find Hub.

Head gesture support may allow users to:

• Nod to answer calls
• Shake to reject calls
• Control playback without touching the earbuds

If implemented well, these features could push Samsung’s earbuds further into the premium audio space.

Pre-Order Incentives and Early Reservation Deals

Samsung is also offering early reservation benefits ahead of the Unpacked event, including:

• $30 Samsung credit
• Entry into a $5,000 Samsung.com gift card giveaway
• Up to $900 in trade-in savings
• $150 discount without trade-in (via Samsung.com pre-orders)

These aggressive incentives suggest Samsung is aiming for strong early adoption of the Galaxy S26 lineup.

Why February 25 Galaxy Unpacked Matters

The February 25 Galaxy Unpacked event isn’t just another smartphone launch — it represents Samsung’s strategic response to intensifying competition in:

• AI-powered smartphones
• Magnetic wireless charging ecosystems
• Premium mobile photography
• High-performance mobile gaming

With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, increased RAM and storage, Qi2 charging support, and the debut of Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro, Samsung appears focused on delivering meaningful performance and ecosystem improvements rather than incremental updates.

A Defining Android Flagship Moment?

If the leaks prove accurate, the Galaxy S26 series could become one of the most technically ambitious Android launches in recent years.

The combination of next-gen silicon, memory upgrades, Qi2 charging, and AI enhancements signals a future where smartphones function less like communication devices and more like AI-powered computing hubs.

All eyes are now on February 25.