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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Galaxy S26 and One UI 8.5 are the most certain Unpacked 2026 reveals.
- Samsung smart glasses and Galaxy A57 have strong odds of showing up.
- Galaxy Ring 2 and a wider Z Fold remain possible but uncertain.
In just a few more days, Samsung will kick off Unpacked 2026, one of the company’s biggest events of the year, showcasing its next wave of devices. The event is scheduled for Feb 25 at 10 am PST / 1 pm EST. While the tech giant hasn’t officially confirmed what it plans to announce, it’s safe to expect the Galaxy S26 series to take center stage.
Early-year Unpacked events are traditionally reserved for flagship phones.
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That said, it is hard to imagine Unpacked 2026 being entirely devoted to just three smartphones. Samsung will probably sprinkle in a few announcements for other highly anticipated devices. I don’t know for sure what they are, but one can look at still-missing products and recent rumors to get a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Below is a list of five potential Samsung products that might be seen at Unpacked 2026. Several of these devices may seem familiar. Some are reappearances of possible projects Samsung has been working on for years, while others are brand new.
1. Samsung Smart Glasses
I’m starting this list with what I think will show up at Unpacked 2026: the Samsung smart glasses. These devices have been in development for a while now. One of our earliest reports dates back to late 2024, when the Korean outlet Yonhap News claimed that Samsung was developing its first pair.
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Since then, there has been a steady trickle of information from both official and unofficial sources. Rumors last year suggested the wearable would be similar to Meta’s Ray-Bans, focusing primarily on audio, an AI assistant, and hands-free controls. In October 2025, Samsung revealed it was partnering with eyewear brands Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on a new wearable device that will run on the Google XR ecosystem.
There is still no hard confirmation on what this device is, what it does, or what it’s called. However, you may not have to wait very long. During Samsung’s Q4 2025 earnings call, Seong Cho, EVP of Mobile Experience, stated that the company plans to release its smart glasses later this year. This event could be the first time it is seen in action.
2. Galaxy Ring 2
The Galaxy Ring 2 is similar to Samsung’s smart glasses in that it’s been in development for several years. Initial reports date back to May 16, 2024, when the tech giant filed a patent for a next-gen smart ring with small screens running down the sides that display app icons and other contextual information.
Since then, concrete details have been scarce. In March 2025, a patent was found on the World Intellectual Property Organization website for a wearable that will have a special sensor that can measure the temperature of external objects.
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There is a chance Samsung will pull back the curtain on the Galaxy Ring 2, though it is a small one. Currently, the tech giant is embroiled in a legal battle with wearable brand Oura. It is a long story, but basically, Samsung is suing Oura for alleged patent infringement related to a system that collects a person’s activity data to deliver personalized fitness insights.
This comes after Oura filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission and requested a ban on Samsung products that allegedly infringe on several of its own patents. If things go south for Samsung, it could complicate or even prevent the launch of the Galaxy Ring 2.
3. OneUI 8.5
Contrary to the Galaxy Ring 2, I firmly believe that OneUI 8.5 will almost certainly debut alongside the Galaxy S26 series. The firmware is already available in beta on select Galaxy devices, so there is a fairly solid idea of what is coming, although there may still be a surprise or two in store.
According to a recent Samsung post, OneUI 8.5 places greater emphasis on content creation and connectivity. Photo Assist now lets users continuously edit images without having to save after each edit. Storage Share is a new feature. It will let you view files from other Galaxy devices directly in the My Files app.
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A potential addition is a feature called Now Nudge, which was discovered in the firmware by leaker Tarun Vats on X. Based on the video shared, Now Nudge uses AI to analyze what is happening on-screen in real time and suggest follow-up actions.
For example, say a friend asks if you want to have lunch. The tool will bring up an Open Calendar button above the keyboard, so you can quickly schedule a time between the two of you.
4. Galaxy Z Fold Wide
It’s pretty safe to say that Samsung is working on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8. The tech giant usually launches its foldable refreshes during the summer. Some early information is circulating on the internet right now, but much of it has been overshadowed by the possibility of a third model.
Hints of this mystery phone were uncovered by enthusiasts who dug through the code of Samsung’s leaked OneUI 9 firmware. Within the code are references to a device labeled “WideFoldModel,” hinting at a Galaxy Z Fold variant that is wider than previous generations. Early reports have dubbed this potential mobile phone the Galaxy Z Fold Wide, or a variation on the name.
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Sources with access to the OneUI 9 APK have even created speculative renders. The best way to describe this device is to imagine a mini tablet that unfolds into an even bigger tablet. What is interesting is that it could be more square-shaped compared to current foldables. According to Korean outlet ET News, the cover screen will measure 5.4 inches, while the inner display will be 7.6 inches with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
5. Galaxy A57
Finally, I’ll close things out with the Galaxy A57, Samsung’s reportedly next midrange phone. About a month ago, a report cropped up claiming the mobile device appeared in China’s Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center MIIT database. If these leaks are true, then just about everything is already known.
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According to leaks, the Galaxy A57 is an incremental upgrade to the A56, sharing many of the same features, such as a near-identical design and a three-camera system led by a 50MP wide, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens. The leak did not specify what the last camera is for, though it’s usually a 5MP lens for up-close shots. There are two notable changes. The A57 runs on an Exynos 1680 SoC, upgrading the last model’s 1580 chipset. It’s also a bit slimmer, measuring 6.9mm instead of 7.4mm.
Writer’s take
Based on the information available online, I firmly believe the OneUI 8.5 update will be unveiled at Unpacked 2026. As I mentioned earlier, the firmware is already available in beta, so it would not be a stretch to see an official announcement.
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The Galaxy A57 and the smart glasses have a good chance of appearing, given how much information about them is already out there. Samsung’s rumored Galaxy Z Fold Wide is a definite maybe. A teaser could appear, but the tech giant may hold off on revealing the new phone until much later.
That just leaves the Galaxy Ring 2, which I believe has the lowest chance of appearing because of the lawsuit. I would be very surprised to see the wearable make an appearance, but you never know.
