The Samsung Galaxy S26 series is here, and it's packed with new features and improvements. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your new phone:
Call Captions
One of the most useful features is Call Captions, which provides a live transcript of your calls. This is especially helpful when you're multitasking or in a noisy environment. Simply enable the feature in the Phone app settings, and you'll be able to refer back to previous conversations easily.
Qi2-Ready Cases and Accessories
Samsung has designed several cases and accessories specifically for the Galaxy S26 series, including a magnetic charging disc and a wallet. These accessories are Qi2-Ready, ensuring a seamless charging experience. It's a good idea to invest in a case to protect your phone, especially the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which supports 60W wired charging and 25W wireless charging.
Customizable Lock Screen
Make your lock screen unique by customizing it with a wallpaper and clock. You can resize and reshape the clock around your wallpaper, giving your lock screen a personalized touch. This is similar to Apple's iOS 26, but Samsung's implementation is equally impressive.
Private Album
Keep your sensitive images and videos secure in the Private Album. This feature allows you to move photos to a biometrically protected album, ensuring they remain private. It's a great way to store important or personal images without cluttering your main gallery.
Easier Access to Galaxy Buds Settings
If you own a pair of Galaxy Buds 4 or 4 Pro, you'll appreciate the improved settings accessibility. The controls are now easily accessible from the main settings page, allowing you to manage sound quality, equalizer settings, and tap and swipe controls without needing to open the Galaxy Wear app.
Now Nudge
Samsung's Now Nudge feature adds context to your messages by pulling information from other emails or events. It's similar to Google's Magic Cue but with its own twist. While it may not be perfect, it's worth trying for quick information additions to your messages.
Photo Assist
Samsung's Photo Assist feature is inspired by Google's Help Me Edit. It allows you to ask the AI for editing assistance, making it easy to modify your images. Simply describe the changes you want, and the AI will generate a modified image for you.
Privacy Display
The Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces the Privacy Display, a feature that protects your entire screen from prying eyes. You can choose to lock everything down or use it selectively for specific apps or notifications. It's a useful addition for those who value privacy.
Audio Eraser
Clean up noisy videos with Audio Eraser, a feature that boosts voices while lowering background noise. It's available in third-party apps like YouTube and Netflix, making it easier to enjoy crisp sound in your videos.
Super Steady Mode
Samsung has improved its Super Steady mode, adding a gimbal-like Horizontal Lock feature. This ensures steady video clips even when you're moving or flipping your phone. It's a great addition for capturing stable footage on the go.
