Galaxy S26

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series integrates Google’s Gemini AI for agentic tasks, enhancing smartphone strategy. This move positions Gemini prominently, even as it’s slated to power Apple’s Siri. The S26 features Gemini for cross-app actions, Perplexity for web searches, and an upgraded Bixby. Notably, Gemini can now perform autonomous actions within third-party apps, a significant leap from previous models. This collaboration highlights the intense AI competition and Samsung’s role as a key distribution channel for Google’s consumer AI, preceding Apple’s own Gemini-powered Siri upgrade.

Samsung’s new Galaxy S26 series sees a $100 price hike on the S26 and S26+ due to a persistent global memory chip shortage, intensified by AI infrastructure demand. This shortage, expected to last into 2027, is driving up smartphone prices. While the S26 Ultra keeps its price, the overall market faces inflationary pressure. Samsung, banking on its third-gen “AI phones,” also introduces a new privacy display on the Ultra, but analysts question consumer value perception amidst rising costs.