Samsung Galaxy S26 series launching February 25 at Unpacked event

Samsung Unpacked arrives in February

Samsung will announce the Galaxy S26 series on February 25 at its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco. The company confirmed the date in invites sent this week, scheduling the keynote for 10 am PT / 1 pm ET. Samsung plans to livestream the entire presentation for global viewers.

The upcoming flagship lineup includes the Galaxy S26, the S26+, and the S26 Ultra. Early reports suggest these devices will maintain the design language of their predecessors rather than introducing a visual overhaul. Most of the meaningful changes will happen inside the chassis.

Samsung will likely equip the S26 series with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. This chip should provide the thermal efficiency and raw power needed for the company’s expanding suite of artificial intelligence tools. Users can also expect incremental improvements to camera sensors and slightly faster wired charging speeds.

Artificial intelligence remains the central focus for Samsung’s mobile strategy in 2025. The S26 will likely debut new Google Gemini integrations that build on existing features like Circle to Search. Samsung is positioning these software enhancements as the primary reason for users to upgrade this year.

One specific hardware-software hybrid feature is a new built-in privacy screen. This technology allows users to selectively obscure parts of the display from onlookers. It functions as a digital privacy filter that prevents "visual hacking" in public spaces without requiring a physical screen protector.

The cost of these devices may increase due to a global RAM shortage that is driving up component prices. While Samsung has not confirmed final pricing, analysts expect a modest bump across all three models. Samsung is currently offering a $30 credit for customers who reserve a device before preorders officially open.

Early reservations also enter customers into a drawing for a $5,000 gift card at Samsung.com. The company traditionally uses these incentives to gauge demand before the retail launch. Customers can sign up on the Samsung website with an email address to secure the credit.

Samsung has reportedly canceled the Galaxy S26 Edge, a rumored ultra-slim model. The 2025 Edge experiment failed to gain traction with consumers, leading the company to stick with its three core models for the February launch. A successor could still appear in May, but it will not be at Unpacked.

The event will likely feature more than just smartphones. Samsung often uses the San Francisco stage to refresh its wearable lineup. A new pair of Galaxy Buds wireless earbuds is the most probable candidate for a secondary announcement.

Fitbit AI coach expands to iOS

Google is bringing its Gemini-powered Fitbit Personal Health Coach to iOS users this week. The service previously existed as a public preview exclusive to Android users. To access the coach, iPhone users must install iOS 16.4 or a newer version of the operating system.

The service requires an active Fitbit Premium subscription, which costs $10 per month. This subscription provides the data necessary for the AI to generate personalized fitness advice. Users can also test the feature during a standard Fitbit Premium trial period.

The expansion includes a wider international rollout for English speakers. Fitbit users in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore can now access the AI coach. Google has not yet announced timelines for additional language support.

The Personal Health Coach acts as a digital consultant for daily activity and sleep metrics. It analyzes historical Fitbit data to suggest workout adjustments or explain why a user might feel fatigued. It is currently the most integrated AI health service on the market.

Privacy remains a significant concern for users sharing biometric data with a large corporation. Google claims it does not use this specific health data for advertising purposes. However, the conversational nature of the AI encourages users to share intimate details about their daily routines.

The AI coach is often more convenient than a human trainer for basic scheduling and motivation. It provides instant responses to questions about running pace or calorie targets. At $120 per year, it undercuts the cost of professional coaching services significantly.

Apple simplifies the Android switch

Apple released iOS 26.3 this week with a new utility that simplifies moving from an iPhone to an Android device. This feature is the result of a rare collaboration between Apple and Google to improve cross-platform data portability. Google recently added a reciprocal feature to its own mobile operating system.

The new transfer process works by placing an Android phone directly next to an iPhone. The devices establish a local wireless connection to begin moving data. This mirrors the "Quick Start" process Apple uses for transferring data between two iPhones.

The tool migrates several key categories of data automatically:

• High-resolution photos and videos
• Stored text message threads
• Personal notes and calendar entries
• Compatible applications
• Mobile phone numbers and eSIM profiles

This update removes the need for third-party migration apps that were often unreliable. By baking the tool into the OS, Apple is responding to regulatory pressure to make its ecosystem less restrictive. The process is now nearly as fast as a standard cloud restore.

iOS 26.3 also includes a Limit Precise Location privacy setting. This feature restricts the specific metadata that cellular networks use to triangulate a user's position. It provides a layer of anonymity that was previously unavailable at the carrier level.

The new location privacy feature has strict hardware requirements. It only works on devices equipped with Apple’s custom C1 or C1X modems. Currently, this list is limited to the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and the iPad Pro M5 with cellular connectivity.

Carrier support for this feature is currently limited to Boost Mobile in the United States. Apple expects more carriers to adopt the protocol later this year. The upcoming iPhone 18 series will likely expand support further with the introduction of the C2 modem.

Google pauses the Android 17 beta

Google pulled the Android 17 public beta release this week without providing a specific reason for the delay. The company originally planned to launch the software for Pixel owners on Tuesday. This version of Android marks a shift in how Google handles its pre-release software cycles.

Google is moving away from traditional developer betas in favor of the Android Canary channel. This channel gives developers earlier access to experimental code and platform-level changes. The public beta is intended for more stable testing by general users.

The Android 17 update focuses heavily on large-screen optimization for tablets and foldables. Google is now mandating that all apps support resizing and windowed multitasking. This move aims to fix the "stretched phone app" problem that has plagued Android tablets for years.

A new camera API will allow third-party apps to access raw metadata from all onboard sensors. This change should reduce the lag and shutter stuttering commonly seen in apps like Instagram and TikTok. It allows these apps to use Google’s native image processing pipelines more effectively.

Google is also introducing a system-wide audio leveling API. This feature prevents dramatic volume shifts when switching between different media applications. If a user moves from a quiet podcast to a loud YouTube video, the system will automatically normalize the output.

Android 17 represents a transition toward more frequent, smaller updates. Google plans to move away from the "one big release" model to keep the OS competitive throughout the year. The final version of Android 17 will likely reach consumers by early summer.

YouTube launches on Vision Pro

Google finally released an official YouTube app for the Apple Vision Pro this week. The launch comes two years after the headset first hit the market. Previously, Vision Pro users had to rely on the Safari browser or third-party workarounds to watch content.

The app supports standard 2D video playback on a massive virtual cinema screen. Users can resize the player and place it anywhere in their physical environment. It also integrates with visionOS "Environments" to dim the surrounding room during playback.

The "Spatial" tab in the app hosts immersive content specifically designed for the headset:

• 3D Stereoscopic videos with depth data
• 180-degree immersive field-of-view content
• 360-degree spherical videos for full environment replacement

Google’s delay in supporting visionOS was likely a strategic move to protect its own Android XR platform. The Samsung Galaxy XR recently launched as the first major competitor to Apple’s high-end spatial computer. Google is now gradually bringing its core services to Apple's hardware to maintain its dominant position in video streaming.

The YouTube app for visionOS includes full support for YouTube Premium subscribers. This allows for ad-free viewing and background audio within the virtual workspace. The app is available now as a free download on the visionOS App Store.