- 13 minutes ago
In this episode of Tech Today, we get to the massive announcements from Samsung Unpacked 2026. The headline is more than just the hardware; it’s the transition into true Agentic AI. We explore how the new aluminum frame and the innovative Privacy Display are changing the physical smartphone experience, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 sets a new benchmark for mobile performance. Whether you are a hardcore power user or just looking for your next upgrade, this is the breakdown you need to see.
The innovation doesn't stop with Samsung, as we bring you updates from MWC 2026 in Barcelona. With Honor flaunting its Robot Phone and its motorized tracking camera, the future of mobile tech is getting weirder and more exciting. We also take a close look at the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and its massive one-inch Leica sensor and the breathtaking 'Gran Turismo'!
Also in this episode, If you are planning an international trip this year, your smartphone is your most important travel companion. We are highlighting the essential toolkit for 2026 travel, moving beyond basic maps to specialized apps for itinerary planning, instant global connectivity. From real-time Gemini-powered translation to avoiding hidden fees, we get to you the digital essentials that will make your next journey abroad seamless and stress-free. Stick around until the end of the episode to see which of these MWC concepts is actually worth your money and which is just hype.
The innovation doesn't stop with Samsung, as we bring you updates from MWC 2026 in Barcelona. With Honor flaunting its Robot Phone and its motorized tracking camera, the future of mobile tech is getting weirder and more exciting. We also take a close look at the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and its massive one-inch Leica sensor and the breathtaking 'Gran Turismo'!
Also in this episode, If you are planning an international trip this year, your smartphone is your most important travel companion. We are highlighting the essential toolkit for 2026 travel, moving beyond basic maps to specialized apps for itinerary planning, instant global connectivity. From real-time Gemini-powered translation to avoiding hidden fees, we get to you the digital essentials that will make your next journey abroad seamless and stress-free. Stick around until the end of the episode to see which of these MWC concepts is actually worth your money and which is just hype.
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NewsTranscript
00:13Welcome to the Tech Today Show and if you thought that this episode is going to be just a regular
00:18Tech Today, no it is not because this one is a special one indeed. I am standing in front of
00:23one of the most photographed, one of the most important structures in the world. This is the
00:29Golden Gate Bridge and it's not just about architecture, this show is also about engineering
00:35that is happening at Samsung's factory. We are going to be witnessing the new S26 series by
00:41Samsung, new revolutionary flagships that are coming not only to the global market but also
00:46in India and also what do you do when you are traveling, some of the best applications that
00:52will help you navigate the world. This is Osiris and let's get on with the first top tech headlines
00:58of the week.
01:05America AI giant Anthropic is calling out three major Chinese firms including DeepSeek for
01:10allegedly stealing its secret sauce to train their own models. The organization says this
01:17isn't just about business competition but a major security risk as copycat models often
01:22bypass critical safety guardrails. Interestingly, some critics are calling it fair play by pointing
01:28to Anthropic's own history of using web-scraped data for its initial development.
01:40For years, Apple said no to touchscreen Macs but that's about to change with the rumoured MacBook Pro.
01:46New reports suggest that the 14 and 16-inch models will feature OLED displays and the iPhone's
01:53famous dynamic island for the first time. This marks a massive U-turn from Steve Jobs' original
01:59stance that vertical touchscreens are ergonomically terrible for long-term use.
02:11OnePlus has officially confirmed that the 15T is on its way to save the day. Described as a mini powerhouse,
02:19it is expected to feature a 6.3-inch display and the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor. It's also
02:26tipped to include MagSafe-style magnetic charging which would be a first for the brand's popular series.
02:39Just days after the Bharat taxi launch, a new player called Nembharat is entering the ring to take on
02:46the giants like Uber and Ola. Backed by World Economic Mobility, this platform promises zero commissions for
02:54drivers and absolutely no surge pricing for passengers. It uses a prepaid and cashless model,
03:01aimed at giving drivers predictable income while keeping fares fixed and transparent for commuters.
03:16iQoo has officially launched the 15R in India and it is a spec sheet monster.
03:24It's one of the first devices to bring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 to this price point paired with a
03:30dedicated
03:30Q2 Supercomputing chip. To keep you powered through long sessions, it features a segment-leading battery
03:38battery and a smooth 144Hz AMOLED screen. With four years of Android updates and lightning-fast charging,
03:46it is looking like the new performance king in the mid-range.
04:04So, we are set to kick off one of the biggest tech events of 2026, the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked,
04:11which will feature the S26 series and also the new flagship, the S26 Ultra. What do these smartphones
04:17offer and how will it change the experience of the coming year? We'll show you everything in this segment.
04:28After getting exclusive early access here in San Francisco ahead of the India launch,
04:33Samsung's new Galaxy S26 series makes one thing immediately clear.
04:45This year, the focus isn't just hardware upgrades but a deeper push into artificial intelligence.
04:52Samsung is positioning the Galaxy S25 lineup as its most intelligent smartphones yet, built around what it
05:00describes as proactive AI that works quietly in the background to simplify everyday smartphone use.
05:13Instead of users constantly navigating apps and settings, the goal is for the phone itself to
05:19anticipate actions, streamline workflows and reduce the number of steps required to complete everyday tasks.
05:33The design language feels familiar at first glance, continuing Samsung's premium minimalistic approach.
05:40While the S26 comes with a 6.3-inch FHD Plus display, the bigger S26 Plus offers a 6.7
05:49-inch QHD Plus screen.
05:51Both are AMOLED and support 120Hz refresh rate and are easy to navigate.
05:58Speaking of navigation, it seems smooth as they pretty much are the same displays we got with the S25 series.
06:07And we know a lot about Samsung displays that they are really good.
06:12We also liked that Samsung has gone back to the traditional aluminium route, making the S26 series lighter.
06:19At just 167g, their S26 feels comfortable to hold in the hand.
06:25Even the bigger Plus is under 200g and at under 8mm, it makes these two the slimmest Galaxy flagship phones
06:35ever.
06:36All three phones come with Gorilla Glass Armour protection and IP68 water and dust resistance.
06:43With many of the design cues similar to the predecessor S25 series, it seems that Samsung is paying more attention
06:50to the software side this time around.
06:54Rest, the phone gets all the basics right with the volume rocker and power button on the right, which you
07:00can also use to trigger the AI inside the phone.
07:04Overall, it feels like a comprehensive phone.
07:07While some may not like the same design philosophy, it's a safer route that Samsung has taken in 2026.
07:15So the details about the hardware, we have clarity now what these phones are made up of.
07:20But the real magic is what's on the inside because Samsung is really pushing the AI narrative.
07:26Agentic AI seems to be the conversation starter for a lot of these customers who will be using the S26
07:32series.
07:32But what kind of agentic AI is on offer and how will it change your mobile experience is something that
07:39we need to see.
07:40Inside the phone, Samsung is running the latest Exynos 2600 processor coupled with 12GB of RAM.
07:49Certain upgrades have been made in the AI and software experience.
07:53The phones are designed to understand context better, assisting users across apps,
07:58while helping organize information, refine content and manage daily tasks more efficiently.
08:05Rather than requiring manual input for every action, the AI is meant to handle multiple processes simultaneously,
08:12allowing users to focus more on outcomes than on navigating menus or tools.
08:18The big surprise is the inclusion of perplexity, which comes pre-installed on the phones this time around.
08:24This means that the new AI browser is being closely integrated with many Bixby functions.
08:30As for the company, you get raw performance and also a bump in efficiency and sustained processing power.
08:40Cameras remain a key part of the Galaxy experience, but here again,
08:45AI plays a larger role than traditional hardware changes alone.
08:48Both phones come with 50-megapixel primary sensors with 2x optical zoom quality,
08:54a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.
09:01Battery-wise, there isn't a major upgrade on any of these devices as the S26 runs on the 4300mAh battery,
09:10which is a minor upgrade, and the S26 Plus offers the same 4900mAh battery.
09:16This seems a little underwhelming considering the new generation phones are still running older battery tech.
09:23So now you know what the S26 and the S26 Plus will offer,
09:27but the real headline maker at the event is this one, the S26 Ultra.
09:32What does this phone offer? How is it different?
09:35And how will it change your experience when we are talking about Egentic AI
09:39and all of the other features, especially the camera? Let's find out.
09:43While the S26 and the Plus refines Samsung's core flagship experience,
09:48the Galaxy S26 Ultra represents the company's most ambitious step forward this year.
09:54The Ultra sports a massive 6.9-inch Quad HD Plus display with a 120Hz refresh rate
10:01and comes bundled with a new privacy feature. Watching content on this phone feels like a delight
10:09and you can expect the same consistency in colors and contrast with this generation of Ultra phones as well.
10:23One of the standout additions on the Ultra is what Samsung describes as an industry-first built-in privacy display.
10:31It works the same way as a physical privacy clasp does on a phone, rather on the Ultra,
10:38it's the pixel technology in the phone that makes this work.
10:42You can even turn the privacy on for some specific applications and notifications,
10:47clearly which is a great step towards ensuring screen privacy.
10:56The Galaxy S26 Ultra also introduces improvements to thermal management,
11:01allowing the device to sustain performance for longer periods, particularly during demanding AI tasks.
11:22With a dedicated vapor chamber cooling system, the phone is expected to handle demanding games
11:27and tasks with ease. We will indeed put this to the test in our full review.
11:35The device is powered by the latest top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset,
11:41coupled with RAM up to 16GB and 1TB storage. On top of that, you also get a long software upgrade
11:49window,
11:49which means it will run for longer than 5 years with regular security updates.
11:55Some new AI features have been introduced this time in the Creator Studio and Gallery as well.
12:02You can now add objects into any image and combine them using AI, like here where I changed my jacket.
12:14Or I can also create multiple combinations.
12:24The AI works better in adding or completing object shapes with the help of AI and it's pretty accurate.
12:31Overall, the experience has improved significantly.
12:41Camera capabilities continue to be a defining feature of the Ultra, which is now paired to an
12:47even more closely integrated AI ecosystem. You also get a massive 200MP primary camera on the rear that the company
12:55says shoots brighter images this time.
12:58With that, you also get a 50MP ultra-wide and a telephoto lens. Clearly not an upgrade on paper,
13:06but Samsung says it's improved the overall photography. We will try to see that in our full review very soon.
13:15Also, battery-wise, it's using the same 5000mAh battery as last year. However, the charging speed has been bumped up
13:22to 60W,
13:23which means the phone can get you from 0 to 75 in just 13 minutes.
13:29Alongside the new smartphones, Samsung has also introduced the updated Galaxy Buds and the Buds Pro 4, expanding the broader
13:36Galaxy ecosystem.
13:37The new audio devices are expected to integrate closely with Galaxy AI features, enabling smarter audio
13:44adjustments, improved call clarity and deeper device-to-device interaction.
13:56Pricing for all of these devices in the Indian market has been released and you can expect
14:01the phones to hit the shelves very soon with pre-orders also opening in the coming weeks.
14:07However, we recommend that you wait for the full review of these devices
14:11on the Take Today show before you buy them. Overall, the S26 series doesn't seem like a major upgrade on
14:19paper
14:20and clearly signals a clear shift in Samsung's flagship philosophy. Lesser focus on hardware and more on
14:27AI experience. And just not any AI upgrade, but AI designed to make smartphones feel less like tools
14:35that require constant input and more like assistance that adapt to users over time.
14:42This first look on the Tech Today show suggests Samsung is betting that the next major evolution
14:48in smartphones won't just be around faster specs or bigger cameras, but about making everyday technology
14:55feel more intuitive, more personal and increasingly effortless to use.
15:07So what can we really take away from the event? It's clear that Samsung's focus is more on the
15:13inside of the devices with its new AI innovations and also Egentic AI. It will definitely change the way
15:18you use the S26 series. I just loved the privacy display feature, which will enhance your privacy
15:25settings and I'm sure a lot of people will find this feature really useful. But on the hardware side,
15:30not a lot of upgrades and that's something that might take off a few Samsung potential customers.
15:36What do you think about the new Samsung series? You can always write to us. And 2026 is definitely
15:41going to be interesting, at least for Samsung flagship devices.
15:50It's obvious when you have the opportunity, you're always exploring the world, right? And what better
15:55place to explore than San Francisco? But to do that, I need a certain set of apps that can help
16:00me navigate
16:01the city, that can help me speak the tongue of this place. So here are some apps that can help
16:06you
16:06navigate any place in the world. First up is Skyscanner. This is your command center for getting there
16:18without breaking the bank. Although its primary feature is aggregating flight and hotel options,
16:25the site benefits are equally worth it. It lets you track price drops, explore the cheapest month to
16:32fly and even discount coupons for all your favorite booking website. All in one place, it's the ultimate
16:40tool for securing the best deals before you even pack your bags. So the next time you travel, travel smart!
16:54Once you've arrived, you don't need to get around. Forget getting lost in complex subway systems.
17:02City Mapper is your local guide. It specializes in public transit for major global cities,
17:09giving you real-time upgrades, the exact subway exit to use and even telling you which train car to sit
17:16in for the faster transfer. It makes you look like a local from day one.
17:23So you've decided which country you want to fly to and also have a fair understanding of how local
17:29transportation works and you're sitting online trying to figure out where you want to go next.
17:33I know for a fact, since I travel a lot, finances and the language can be a big barrier if
17:40you want to explore more.
17:41So here are some apps that can help you with that.
17:49When it comes to managing your money across borders, Remitly is a lifesaver.
17:58If you need to send money internationally or handle cross-border payments,
18:02traditional banks will hit you with a massive fee and terrible exchange rates.
18:09Remitly offers a secure, lightning-fast alternative with transparent pricing,
18:14ensuring your money goes exactly where it needs to without extra costs.
18:26For breaking the language barrier, nothing beats Google Translate.
18:30It's not just for typing phrases anymore. You can have real-time two-way communication
18:36and the camera feature is absolutely magic. Just point your phone at a street sign or a menu
18:42and watch it translate instantly on your screen. Just a reminder to download the destination's
18:49language back so it works offline as well. Rounding out our top five is Get Your Guide.
19:04Once your logistics are sorted, this app is how you can actually experience the destination.
19:10It's the ultimate platform for discovering incredible local tours, booking skip-the-line tickets
19:16for major attractions and managing all your digital passes in one place.
19:23No more printing out vouchers or waiting in massive tourist lines.
19:29Everything you need is right there, a QR code away.
19:34So with these five apps locked and loaded on your home screen, you are fully equipped to handle
19:40anything your next international adventure throws at you.
19:43No extra charges, no language barriers and no getting lost.
19:48Let us know what you think about these applications and if you have any other suggestions for us.
19:54We would love to feature them on our show next week.
20:05Now somehow I am in San Francisco, it's known as the bedrock of technology but there is another tech
20:11that is making headlines in China and also across the world. Now when it comes to AI, we are getting
20:17redefined tools every single week and there is this one tool that's been catching a lot of eyeballs and
20:22it has to do with how videos is absolutely changing. Now this particular tool has been not only making
20:29headlines for the right reasons but also for the wrong reasons and it's something that you should
20:34definitely take a look at. Here's in our segment.
20:47Alright, so we need to talk about what just happened with Sea Dance. If you've been online in the last
20:53two weeks, you've seen those clips.
20:57The one in which Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt are fighting in a scene that never happened, directed by a
21:02guy in his bedroom.
21:04We've seen the biggest legal firestorm in tech history, with Disney and Netflix treating a software update like a declaration
21:11of war.
21:13And the day the world was supposed to get its hands on the keys to the kingdom, the gates were
21:18slammed shut.
21:19But the disruption is already here. In this segment, we are going beyond the viral clips to look at the
21:25digital director
21:26that has the entire film industry checking their contacts. This is the Sea Dance Storm. Let's get into it.
21:35So the fire started on the 12th of February when ByteDance dropped Sea Dance 2.0 and within hours,
21:42the internet became a different place.
21:47That clip of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fighting on a rooftop? That wasn't some high-budget deepfake
21:53that took months to render. It was a two-line prompt. Director Ruari Robinson posted it.
22:01As the industry collectively lost its mind.
22:07I'm talking about a Sputnik moment for Hollywood.
22:17And he wasn't joking. By Valentine's Day, the lawyers were out for blood.
22:23Disney fired off a cease and desist, basically calling Sea Dance a piloted library on steroids.
22:31The company is also claiming that ByteDance fed the model every Marvel and Star Wars frame
22:36ever made without paying a cent. Netflix, Paramount and MPA, everyone is piling on.
22:44Because if we can make a movie now starring a photorealistic version of a billionaire actor
22:49for 10 bucks a month, what's the point of a 200 million studio budget?
22:55And honestly, look at what this thing can actually do. I don't think a few filters are going to stop
23:00this flood.
23:02Now get this, it's because Sea Dance 2.0 isn't just text to video. It's what ByteDance calls a quad
23:09modal engine. Normally with AI, you type a prompt and cross your fingers. But with Sea Dance, you're
23:16basically a director handing out a script, a wardrobe and a location and let it do the rest.
23:23Meaning you feed it a photo to lock the character's identity, a video clip to teach its specific camera
23:29physics and a text prompt for the action. Unlike other tools, it features native audio,
23:36generating the sound and the pixels simultaneously so that every footstep and lip movement is perfectly
23:43synced in one line. Throw in a narrative planner that automatically storyboards your prompt into
23:49cinematic cuts and you realize this is a full production pipeline that follows the rules of
23:55filmmaking. That's exactly why Hollywood is currently trying to pull the plug on this AI tool.
24:03But here's the thing, what happens when the dust settles and ByteDance finally lets this thing
24:09out of the gate? The reality is that technical monopoly is dead. Right now, looking cinematic costs
24:16millions of dollars and a crew of hundreds. Tomorrow, it costs a subscription fee and just a good idea.
24:24The big studios are fighting for their lives. If a solo creator can produce Pixar-level visuals from
24:30a home office, the old gatekeeper model collapses. We're moving into the age of taste, where looking
24:38good is no longer the skill, but having the story worth telling is everything. This delay could just be
24:45a pause. The democratization of the director's chair is inevitable. The only question is, once the barrier of
24:53entry is zero, what are you going to create?
24:59That's a wrap for this edition of the Tech Today Show. I hope you enjoyed it. Remember,
25:03these Galaxy devices will be coming to India and we'll be getting a comprehensive look at what these
25:08phones offer and whether you should buy them indeed. Plus, we'll be getting you a lot more updates from
25:14the Mobile World Congress next week. So stay tuned for that and if you have any recommendations or
25:18suggestions, do write to us and I'll see you next week right here on Tech Today Show, saying goodbye
25:24goodbye to San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.
25:26I'll see you next week.
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