Technology

HBO Max is taking us for quite an exciting ride in March. Not only is the streamer dropping a slew of hit movies from the past on us, but it’s also presenting us with some appetizing debuts of new series, films, and documentaries, one of which feels like a giant belated Valentine’s Day present for Big Lebowski fans.

The Scream franchise is not only a champion of the slasher subgenre but also stands as one of the pivotal horror franchises of all time. Centered on killers slaughtering teens in the now-iconic Ghostface mask, the franchise is smart and rewarding to longtime horror fans while also acting as the perfect entry point to the genre for newcomers across three decades. And 30 years after her first encounter with the Ghostface Killer, Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott must take everything she's learned to protect her family in Scream 7.

Just how much does one phone change in a year, anyway?

That's what we're here to find out. Samsung just launched its Galaxy S26 Ultra flagship handset at a Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, which means it's time to see how it compares to the Galaxy S25 Ultra from a year ago. Both phones are powerful Android devices, but one would hope that an extra year has given Samsung some time to refine and improve the S26 Ultra.

We've only gotten a little hands-on time with the newest flagship, and we'll have a full review coming soon. In the meantime, here's how the two phones compare in terms of price, specs, and feature set.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: Price The new Galaxy S26 Ultra. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

This one's easy. The S25 Ultra launched at $1,299.99 last year, and so did the S26 Ultra this year. Samsung didn't increase the price year-over-year, which will make this comparison easier. (The S26 and S26 plus did get a price increase, however.)

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked live blog: See the latest updates Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: Specs and display

Here are the basic specs of the Galaxy S25 Ultra:

• 6.9-inch AMOLED display with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and 3120x1440 resolution

• Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor

• 256GB/512GB/1TB storage options

• 12GB RAM

• 5,000mAh battery

And here are the same specs for Galaxy S26 Ultra for simple comparison's sake:

• 6.9-inch AMOLED display with adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate and 3120x1440 resolution

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor

• 256/512GB/1TB storage options

• 12/16GB RAM

• 5,000mAh battery

As you can see, Samsung didn't rock the boat with this annual upgrade. Both phones seemingly have almost the exact same display specs, as well as the same battery sizes. That said, Samsung did make some changes for 2026. The processor is newer and theoretically more powerful, and the 1TB storage model also comes with an increase to 16GB RAM. That means performance should be better on the new phone, though it remains to be seen just by how much.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: Design The S25 Ultra's back end. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Samsung didn't reinveint the wheel when it came to the physical design of the S26 Ultra, but it's not exactly the same as the S25 Ultra, either.

For starters, the new phone is very slightly thinner and lighter than last year's model. Samsung also raised the rear camera up a little bit, meaning they jut out more prominently from the phone's profile than they did before. It's not entirely clear from where we stand why Samsung did that, but it did, so it's worth pointing out. Lastly, based on our short time with the device, it has a less boxy design overall.

Here are the available colors for the S25 Ultra:

• Titanium Grey

• Titanium Whitesilver

• Titanium Silverblue

• Titanium Black

• Titanium Pinkgold

• Titanium Jadegreen

• Titanium Jetblack

And here are the colors for the S26 Ultra:

• Cobalt Violet

• Sky Blue

• Black

• White

• Silver Shadow

• Pink Gold

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: Top new features

As for what's new with the S26 Ultra, the biggest answer would probably be Privacy Display. This is a new, built-in feature at the device level that will dim the screen to anyone looking at it from an off angle, hopefully giving users some peace of mind as they look at...whatever they're looking at in public. We don't yet know how well this works due to a lack of direct testing, but the S25 Ultra didn't have this, and the S26 Ultra does.

Beyond that, the S26 Ultra brings 60-watt fast charging to the mix. If you have a compatible charger and are tired of waiting around for your phone to fill up, this is great news.

The new Privacy Display feature in action. Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra hands-on: Privacy Display is the coolest innovation by far Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: Cameras

Samsung's S Series phones are overdue for camera upgrades, and the S26 has the goods.

Both the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and its predecessor feature four rear cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, 10MP with 3x optical zoom. Both devices also have a front-facing 12MP selfie camera.

However, according to Samsung, the new Galaxy S26 Ultra features wider camera apertures, allowing more light to enter and resulting in clearer and more detailed photos. The company also says the Galaxy S26 Ultra has upgraded Super Steady capabilities for smoother 4K video and Enhanced Nightography Video to enhance output in low-light settings.

Overall, you can expect a better camera system with the S26 Ultra, which is no surprise.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: More AI features Like the S25 Ultra, the S26 Ultra will generate a daily briefing. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

Samsung has made some upgrades to the overall AI feature set with the S26 Ultra. Unsurprisingly, the S26 is being called an "agentic" phone with a unified artificial intelligence experience across all your devices, and Galaxy Unpacked focused heavily on AI. As one example, the S26 Ultra will offer AI call screening, answering calls and taking notes when you're too busy to answer. Users can also choose between Samsung's Bixby, Google Gemini, and Perplexity.

In addition, the S26 Ultra has a new suite of AI image and video editing tools, dubbed Creative Studio. A new AI image editor is also built directly into the camera app. Users can describe the edits they want, and the AI will take care of the rest.

While some porn performers are out there making six figures a year — or month — many don't. In 2024, it was revealed that the average OnlyFans creator pocketed just $1,300 a year. But that sum was a calculation based on OnlyFans' numbers. What do actual 18+ creators say they earn?

The average creator earns about $58,700 a year from adult work, or about $5,000 per month, according to a survey from adult industry research firm SWR Data.

SEE ALSO: How I make six figures on OnlyFans without taking my clothes off

SWR Data conducted the State of the Creator survey in fall 2025, which included over 550 adult creators. It found that just 35 percent of creators said they were entirely dependent on their adult work for their survival, while 51 percent said they earn income outside the adult industry.

Newer creators earn around $16,000 annually on average, while that number shoots up to $74,000 for those who've been in the industry for five years or more. And for creators who've both been in the industry for 5+ years and only work in adult, the average income is more than $111,000, according to SWR Data.

"While many factors influence who earns how much...one factor correlates with higher incomes more than anything else: the amount of time spent in the industry," SWR Data wrote in a Substack post.

More research is to be done about the earnings of adult stars — but SWR Data's Substack stressed that the top one percent certainly doesn't speak for everyone.

The infamous dating platform Ashley Madison just announced a massive global rebrand, and the sheer audacity of its new PR spin is worth talking about.

Ashley Madison is officially dropping the “affairs” label and repositioning itself as a privacy-first destination for "discreet dating.” But if you’ve kept up with the company’s track record, you have a right to feel a little skeptical.

SEE ALSO: OnlyFans 'baits and switches' customers with false promises, lawsuit claims Ashley Madison has a history involving a major data breach and fake profiles.

In 2015, a catastrophic data breach exposed the information of millions of users and outed high-profile members, including Josh Duggar from 19 Kids and Counting (yikes). The incident was also linked to at least two suicides at the time.

To help smooth things over, its parent company, Avid Life Media, changed its name to ruby Corp. in 2016, and the site decided to (temporarily) drop its tagline: "Life is Short. Have an Affair." And just a week before its new TV commercials hit the market, the company was hit with a probe and lawsuits by the Federal Trade Commission over fake profiles posing as real women. (Ashley Madison settled months later.)

The new rebrand pivots away from infidelity and leans into 'ethical discretion.'

Fast forward to today. Ashley Madison has yet another new tagline: "Where Desire Meets Discretion."

According to the brand's PR team, the site is now focusing on "ethical discretion" for singles, separated individuals, and the ethical non-monogamous community. Paul Keable, the Chief Strategy Officer, tells us that this shift was influenced by last year's sign-ups: Apparently, 57 percent of new members identified as single.

“Our pivot to discretion is recognizing and enabling daters to take control of their profiles and helping to create better connections,” Keable told Mashable in an email. “We will now market Ashley Madison as a dating platform for ethical discretion; whether they are single, separated, divorced, or non-monogamous.”

Dr. Tammy Nelson, a sex and relationship therapist partnering with the brand, agrees that dating app fatigue and oversharing have driven users toward platforms that prioritize anonymity and data protection. “Discretion and privacy have become the goal of dating,” says Dr. Nelson. “In a recent Ashley Madison member survey, 61 percent of respondents said the reason they chose Ashley Madison in the pursuit of connections was that they wanted a high level of discretion.”

The platform uses impressive, albeit shady, tech to keep users hidden.

To their credit, Ashley Madison’s feature list is pretty impressive if you’re trying to stay off the grid (but, again, it was originally built to help you cheat):

• Selective identity: Users are encouraged to use a pseudonym, and you can blur or mask your photos. The site asks you to sign up with a nickname rather than your legal name. There’s also no social media linking allowed. According to Keable, the app strictly prohibits social media handles or phone numbers in profiles to prevent cross-platform identification.

• Private keys: Members can create a hidden photo album and grant (or revoke) access via a "Private Key" at any time.

• Stealth Mode (iOS only): Apple users can customize the app’s icon and notification appearance on their phones (shady, if you ask me).

• Screenshot blockers: The platform has built-in screenshot blockers, so other members can’t take screenshots of anything in the app. If they attempt to do so, they’ll just get a black screen capture. Although it doesn’t send an alarm or anything to the person whose image was captured, Keable says that users who are reported for sharing screenshots externally could face a permanent ban.

“The most significant differentiator is our community itself,” says Keable. “Mainstream apps are built on ‘social discovery,’ using your contacts and ‘friends of friends’ to help you find people you know,” he adds. “Ashley Madison operates on the opposite principle.”

Ironically, the actual cheaters on Reddit aren't happy.

Users over on the r/adultery subreddit have already noticed the shift in real-time. The platform has quietly dropped explicit labels like "Attached seeking Attached" and replaced them with standard "Men seeking women" and a generalized "non-monogamy" tag.

Ashley Madison is trying really, really hard to convince us that the site’s fundamental purpose has evolved beyond facilitating infidelity. I was fully prepared to call BS on this entire pivot, but ironically enough, the actual cheaters aren't thrilled about the rebrand. Over on Reddit, users are actively complaining that the influx of single people is ruining the site's original purpose, making it harder to find other married people looking to stray. One user wrote, "This has really ruined the site for me. I'm only interested in connecting with women who are having an affair... I wish I could get a refund on my credits."

So, you can call it "ethical discretion," or you can call it a PR stunt. But if the adulterers are fleeing because the site is too full of single people looking for privacy? Well, maybe the rebrand is actually working.

A new generation of Samsung Galaxy is here. The Samsung Galaxy S26 made its debut during Samsung Unpacked on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and preorders start today ahead of its March 11 release.

While there are very few differences between the new S26 Samsung Galaxy phones and previous generations, there are some noteworthy changes.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Comparing price, specs, and features

Now, Samsung has combined its AI photo and video studio into the Creative Studio. What's creating the bigger buzz is the inclusion of a new Privacy Display. The new feature means that you can only view the screen head-on, meaning passersby can't catch a glimpse of your texts or any other very important business you're up to.

Physically, the Samsung Galaxy S26 will look similar to the S25 line-up, but it will have a more prominent camera bump. For those upgrading, this means one certainty — you'll need a new phone case.

Luckily, new cases are already available for the Samsung Galaxy S26. They're available to shop now, so by the time your new Samsung Galaxy S26 arrives, your case will be there too.

Samsung

Of course, Samsung is one of the first to outfit its new phones. Along with the Samsung Galaxy S26 preorder drop is a collection of new phone cases. Samsung launched a clear magnetic case, an ultra slim case, a silicone magnetic case, and a rugged case, all available to fit S26 phones, including the S26+ and S26 Ultra. According to Samsung's website, these cases will ship before the phones and arrive by March 6.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases   Shop Now ESR

ESR has already launched its Samsung Galaxy S26 cases, with a new clear case. There's a model available for every size of the S26, including the S26+ and S26 Ultra. The thin, clear case features military-grade drop protection and magnetic charging compatibility. Around the camera is a built-in phone stand so you can watch horizontal video anywhere.

Opens in a new window Credit: ESR ESR Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $35.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Burga

A case is more than just crucial protections; it's also a way to show personality. Burga makes cases with chic and trendy prints, including polka dots, stripes, ombre, and motivational messages. Before Samsung Unpacked even launched, Burga had Samsung Galaxy S26 cases available, which you can start shopping for now. Plus, they're running a deal, and when you buy four cases, you only pay for two.

Opens in a new window Credit: Burga Burga Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases Buy four phone cases at Burga and pay for just two. Get Deal Careborne

An extremely thin phone case doesn't mean a flimsy phone case. CaseBorne's Thinborne cases are made from Aerospace-grade aramid fiber, which is extremely thin and durable. It's meant to show off your phone rather than distract it with a flashy design. Caseborne's Galaxy S26 case is already live and will arrive by Monday, March 2, a full nine days before the S26 is released.

Opens in a new window Credit: CaseBorne CaseBorn Thinborn Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $69.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Spidercase

For a slim but extremely functional case, look to the Spidercase, which comes in transparent designs so you can actually see your phone. It's a thin case that's shockproof without being bulky. Plus, it comes with a built-in stand and MagSafe compatibility. The Spidercase is available to shop on Amazon and will ship out on Monday, March 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Spidercase Spidercase Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $17.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Snakehive

Looking for a leather case? Snakehive is joining the crowd of new Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases. The brand's leather case has a slim profile and comes in four different shades: rich tan, jet black, hunter green, and oxford blue. Despite the leather material, it's still MagSafe-friendly for all your wireless charging needs.

Opens in a new window Credit: Snakehive Snakehive Samsung Galaxy S26 Phone Case $39.99
  Shop Now Pitaka

Pitaka joins the crowd of aramid fiber phone cases. The woven design makes it extremely durable without being too thick. Pitaka's case for the Samsung Galaxy S26 is already live, available in two colors: black and moonrise. It has a raised camera edge to protect the lens and is MagSafe-friendly.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pitaka Pitaka Moonrise Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Exoticase

A protective but minimalist phone case for the new Samsung Galaxy S26 phone comes from Exoticase. The design of the case is simple with a matte, transparent backing paired with an accent color like soothing green or flashy red. The case has protection in mind with raised edges around the camera and screen edges to protect against drops and falls.

Opens in a new window Credit: Exoticase Exoticase Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $24.95 at Exoticase
  Get Deal

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked was full of announcements about the company's new line of Galaxy S26 smartphones. And, of course, Samsung had plenty to highlight in terms of its Galaxy AI features too.

One of the major new AI-related features this year from Samsung involves the Galaxy S26's photo app. All photo tools, including AI editing, will all live in a new Creative Studio so users can capture, edit, enhance, and generate multimedia content without the need to use multiple applications.

The ability to snap a real photo and then add a realistic, yet fake, AI-generated aspect to that picture could cause some problems. So, as Samsung announced at Galaxy Unpacked, photos with AI elements will be tagged as such within the app.

The AI label from Samsung appears in the bottom corner of the photo and designates the image as "AI-generated content."

This will be good news to many, as AI imagery and deepfakes have been used by bad actors to spread misinformation and harass individuals.

However, it's currently unclear if there's anything more than the visible watermark on the photo. If it's just that visible label, it appears that users can still easily crop the photo ever so slightly to remove the watermark. In fact, there are tutorials online that show users how they can utilize Galaxy AI itself to remove the AI watermark in previous iterations of Samsung's AI tools for Galaxy phones.

Other AI tools like OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo 3 also display watermarks that indicate content is AI-generated. However, as those are video tools, they are able to make the watermark more difficult to remove. Ideally, AI-generated images and videos contain an invisible digital watermark, like Google's SynthID.

Samsung is using Google's AI model Gemini and its powerful Nano Banana AI-image generation model for Galaxy AI's generative content. However, it's not clear if AI photos made with Samsung will also contain a SynthID for AI detection.

Still, auto-tagging is one step practical step to limit the potential harm of deepfakes.

The needs of home networks have changed a lot since the early days of home LANs. I often walk into the homes of people I visit only to see an absolutely ancient router, or a generic model that came from the ISP and hasn't been touched since.

The latest Samsung Galaxy Unpacked takes place on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. PT in San Francisco, and Mashable will be reporting live from the event. We're fully expecting a new generation of Galaxy phones and wireless earbuds, including the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra.

After months of leaks, rumors, and teases, Samsung will finally unveil its latest Galaxy phones and AI features, and we'll be there to bring you the latest updates. Keep checking this live blog for up-to-the-minute news on device launches, pre-order details, and any surprises Samsung drops along the way.

You can also tune into our Galaxy Unpacked livestream, which includes pre- and post-show coverage from Mashable reporters and our colleagues at CNET, Lifehacker, and PCMag.

Samsung showed off its new Privacy Display feature during its marquee Unpacked event on Wednesday, where it announced its new lineup of Galaxy S26 phones.

Mashable's Amanda Yeo covered the Privacy Display news as it dropped, calling it "the coolest innovation by far" at the tech giant's big event. The general idea is that the Galaxy S26 Ultra can change screen visibility to ensure your privacy. The actual pixels within the display shift to keep nosy eyes off your screen.

But there's more to Privacy Display than just some shifting pixels. Here are four things it can do.

Hide specific apps

Say — smartly, I'd add — that you don't want folks snooping around as you use a mobile banking app. You can choose to set that app, or any other app, to always use Privacy Display, so you can check your account in public, in peace.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Hide unexpected notifications

You might not want randos to see your notifications. And hey, that's none of their business! You can toggle Privacy Display so that notifications are obscured as the pop-ups appear on screen. Samsung's presentation noted this could be especially useful when, say, ferrying a friend to their surprise birthday party.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Activate with just one button

Say you suddenly want some privacy. Maybe you're sending gossipy texts, and the subject of the gossip enters the room. Hey, that's your prerogative. Obviously, it's a little sketchy and a bit of a hassle to navigate settings to turn on Privacy Display. Thankfully, you can simply toggle on the feature by pressing the power button twice.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Go Maximum mode

Sometimes you want to be really private. For those moments, Samsung created Maximum mode in Privacy Display. In short, it hides everything but the head-on view. Wrote Mashable's Yeo about her hands-on test: "The display really impressed when the stronger Maximum privacy protection mode was turned on, which immediately made the S26 Ultra's screen appear almost as if the phone had been shut down."

There's plenty for privacy lovers to test out with Privacy Display — and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is available for pre-order for those interested.

Samsung just wrapped Galaxy Unpacked 2026, and if there was one word the company wanted you to remember, it was "agentic."

With the unveiling of the new S26 line of phones, Samsung wants to make clear that its smartphones will do the work for you. There were several neat breakout features for the S26 lineup that stood out during the AI-focused showcase.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases: Where to get fun ones right now

Between agentic AI integrations, gamer-grade performance, and a genuinely novel Privacy Display, Samsung clearly wants the Galaxy S26 Ultra in particular to feel like more than just an iterative upgrade.

So, from the Galaxy S26 lineup to new Galaxy Buds4 earbuds, here’s everything Samsung unveiled at its Feb. 25 event.

Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra: Samsung’s 'most intuitive' AI phone yet Credit: Mashable / Joseph Maldonado

At the center of Unpacked was the new Galaxy S26 series — the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra — which Samsung calls its "most intuitive, proactive, and adaptive Galaxy AI" experience yet.

All three phones run Android 16 with One UI 8.5 and are powered (in North America, China, and Japan) by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip. On the Ultra, Samsung says users can expect up to a 19% CPU boost, 39% NPU boost, and 24% GPU improvement compared to the previous generation — performance gains clearly designed to keep up with always-on AI.

Preorders open Feb. 25, with general availability starting March 11. Pricing starts at:

• $899.99 for Galaxy S26

• $1,099.99 for Galaxy S26+

• $1,299.99 for Galaxy S26 Ultra

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 preorder: How to get the S26, S26 Ultra, S26+ Agentic AI takes center stage

Samsung’s pitch this year is an AI phone that takes action for you.

The Galaxy S26 series integrates multiple AI agents, including Bixby, Google Gemini, and Perplexity. Once configured, tasks can be completed with a button press or voice prompt, and multi-step actions can run in the background. Samsung demostrated several "practical" uses of agentic AI on the S26 like having it order a pizza for you on GrubHub or Galaxy AI surfacing trip photos automatically when a friend asks for them (via the Now Nudge feature). Samsung also expanded Circle to Search with multi-object recognition, allowing users to identify multiple items in an image at once

Samsung frames these agentic AI features as a way to stop unnecessary app-hopping so users can focus on what's more important (usually something like spending more time with the family instead of fussing around with the delivery app).

Galaxy S26 Ultra debuts first-of-its-kind Privacy Display

While AI dominated the keynote, the Galaxy S26 Ultra may be remembered for something else entirely: privacy.

Samsung says the S26 Ultra introduces the mobile industry’s first built-in Privacy Display: a hardware-level feature that narrows viewing angles to make it harder for bystanders to see your screen. In Mashable’s hands-on, Amanda Yeo described it as "the coolest innovation by far," noting how activating Privacy Display significantly darkens the screen from side angles.

A "Maximum privacy protection" mode makes the display appear almost off to anyone not looking straight at it. Unlike traditional privacy screen protectors, Samsung’s solution is integrated into the panel itself. When off, full viewing quality is restored; when on, users can customize privacy levels and even limit protection to specific apps or PIN entry screens.

Samsung describes it as privacy "at the pixel level," and in a year obsessed with AI data security, that framing feels deliberate.

Galaxy S26 Ultra: Built for performance (and gamers)

Samsung is also positioning the Ultra as a performance powerhouse.

The S26 Ultra features:

• A 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to 2600 nits peak brightness

• A redesigned vapor chamber for improved thermal management during gaming and multitasking

• A 5,000mAh battery

It also supports Super Fast Charging 3.0, reaching up to 75% charge in around 30 minutes. On the camera front, the Ultra sports:

• 200MP wide camera

• 50MP ultra-wide

• 10MP 3x telephoto

• 50MP 5x telephoto

• 100x digital zoom

• 8K video at 30fps

Samsung also introduced APV, a new professional-grade video codec for high-quality workflows.

Galaxy S26 and S26+: Slimmer, lighter, still AI-first

The standard Galaxy S26 and S26+ share much of the Ultra’s AI foundation, but with more compact builds. Both support 120Hz adaptive refresh rates and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. The camera systems are led by a 50MP wide lens, with 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom

• Galaxy S26: 6.3-inch FHD+ display, 4,300mAh battery

• Galaxy S26+: 6.7-inch QHD+ display, 4,900mAh battery

Galaxy AI tools: Editing, scanning, and call screening

Samsung expanded its AI editing toolkit across the lineup.

The upgraded Photo Assist suite allows users to describe edits in natural language — including changing time of day, restoring missing elements, or even altering outfits in photos. Creative Studio consolidates generation and customization tools into one workspace for stickers, wallpapers, and invitations.

Document Scan automatically removes distortions (such as creases or fingerprints) and can bundle multiple images into a single PDF. On the security front, there's AI-powered Call Screening that summarizes unknown callers’ intent along with Privacy Alerts that notify users if apps with device admin privileges attempt sensitive access.

Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro: Hi-fi sound meets AI Credit: Mashable / Joseph Maldonado

The new Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro launch alongside the S26 series, with general availability starting March 11. The Buds4 series supports hands-free activation of AI agents, including Bixby, Gemini, and Perplexity, reinforcing Samsung’s "agentic" ecosystem story.

Buds4 Pro highlights:

• Wider woofer with ~19.8% larger effective speaker area

• 24-bit/96kHz hi-fi audio support

• Enhanced ANC and Adaptive EQ

• Head Gesture controls for calls and Bixby interaction

SEE ALSO: How to preorder the new Samsung Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro wireless earbuds

Design-wise, Samsung introduced a new “blade” aesthetic, developed using ear-shape simulation data.

The Lincoln Navigator underwent a full redesign for the 2025 model year, entering its fifth generation. Among the new features was something called Lincoln Rejuvenate, which makes the Navigator a “spa on wheels.”

Get a free $20 gift card: As of Feb. 25, My Best Buy Plus or Total members who preorder the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 or Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro earbuds can receive a $20 or $30 Best Buy gift card free with their purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro My Best Buy Plus and Total members get a $20 or $30 Best Buy gift card with purchase Get Deal

The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 line is finally here, following their announcement at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026.

While the Buds4 and Buds4 Pro earbuds won't be available in select markets until March 11, interested buyers can place their preorders at Amazon, Samsung.com, and Best Buy starting Feb. 25. If you're a My Best Buy Plus or Total member, grabbing your buds from the lattermost retailer is probably the move — preorders of the Buds4 come with a free $20 Best Buy gift card, while Buds4 Pro preorders come with a $30 Best Buy gift card.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra hands-on: Privacy Display is the coolest innovation by far

My Best Buy Plus memberships usually run $49.99 per year, while Total memberships cost $179.99 annually. With that in mind, non-members may not find it worthwhile to spring for a membership for a gift card less than half of the cost of said membership.

However, Best Buy is currently running a limited-time sale price on its Plus memberships, slashing the price in half to $24.99. While still more than the $20 gift card for the Buds4 earbuds, it does net you a free $5 on the Buds4 Pro earbuds. Membership also grants you access to free two-day shipping, other exclusive offers on items, early access to sales, and an extended 60-day return window on most of Best Buy's catalog.

Plus, this deal beats Amazon's gift card bundle for the Buds4 line, which bumps the price on both earbuds for the exact value of the bundled Amazon gift card (meaning you could purchase both separately, and still pay the same amount).

If you've considered learning Python but didn't follow because you weren't planning to get into development, then it's time to rethink. Python has diverse applications, fun experiments to personal use cases. Here are all the reasons to start learning today.

Toyota vehicles have long been known for commanding higher resale prices than most of their competitors, often retaining thousands more in value after several years of ownership. While many assume this advantage comes purely from brand loyalty or reputation, the real explanation runs much deeper. Behind Toyota’s strong resale performance is a carefully built foundation of engineering consistency, long-term durability, and buyer trust that few automakers have managed to replicate.

A quick look at the best Samsung Galaxy S25 deals Best new Galaxy S25 phone deal Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (512GB, Titanium Jet Black) $899.99 (save $320 at Best Buy) Get Deal Best refurbished Galaxy S25 phone deal Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB, Titanium Black) $796.82 (save $502.18 at Back Market) Get Deal

As expected, the Samsung Unpacked event on Feb. 25 confirmed the release of the Samsung Galaxy S26 family: The regular S26, the S26 Plus, and the S26 Ultra. Some big Samsung fans are pumped because they can officially preorder the Galaxy S26 — other Samsung fans are pumped because the existence of the Galaxy S26 probably means deals on the Galaxy S25.

SEE ALSO: Samsung announces Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro at Galaxy Unpacked: Everything to know

Galaxy S25 deals aren't going super hard yet, especially considering many S25 configurations are sold out at multiple retailers (even Samsung itself). But there are a few worthwhile unlocked Samsung phone deals and refurbished phone deals are floating around. We'll be on the lookout for deals on the Galaxy S25, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge, S25+, and S25 FE for the rest of the week, with promos from phone carriers and Samsung itself likely in the coming days. In the meantime, keep up with our live coverage of everything announced at Samsung Unpacked.

New Galaxy S25 dealsUnlocked

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (512GB, Titanium Jet Black) — $899.99 $1,219.99 (save $320)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (512GB, Titanium Icy Blue) — $899.99 $1,219.99 (save $320)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (512GB, Titanium Silver) — $899.99 $1,219.99 (save $320)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB, Titanium Jet Black) — $949.98 $1,299.99 (save $350.01)

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Refurbished Galaxy S25 dealsUnlocked

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Verizon

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Should you get a Galaxy S25 over the Galaxy S26?

In some ways, it even feels wrong to use a term like "settling" when opting for last year's Galaxy S25 over the S26.

If it's comforting at all, there aren't any major discrepancies in our initial direct comparison between the two — the biggest differences mostly involve the S26's expanded AI editing tools and Samsung's new Privacy Display. In terms of the two flagships, the Galaxy S25 and S26 Ultra lines have the same AMOLED display with a 1-120Hz refresh rate, and the S26 Ultra's cameras all have the same resolutions as the S25 Ultra's.

If your biggest pet peeve is a phone that loses charge over time, the S25 might actually be a safer choice. Battery health could be a main disadvantage of the S26, with reports alleging that the S26 will only be able to hit 80 percent at full charge after 1,200 charging cycles.

Hollywood has always had the power, the money, the talent, and the drive to bring the ideas of the world's greatest storytellers to life. But what it has often lacked is the restraint to get the hell out of the way and let those visionaries do their jobs.

If your phone is being blown up by the Xbox app right now, you're not alone.

Around 12:30 p.m. ET, users began receiving a flurry of pop-up app alerts that all read:

This is a dummy test message sent via braze. please capture a screenshot once you receive it. This should take you to the recently added gallery.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked live blog: See the latest updates

App users, of course, flocked to reddit to discuss the wave of seemingly endless notifications. In one post that has since been removed by moderators, users suspected the issue was internal. "Someone pushed Test to Prod. The entire app is broken," one user wrote. Others, noting the message referred to the dev tool Braze, explained it was probably a fluke test message intended to be sent only to internal teams. "It doesn’t mean anything, It doesn’t mean your account was hacked, compromised, or targeted, it’s most likely just a backend testing error that slipped through," said one Reddit user.

"Took me to the 'uninstalling this app ASAP headspace' is what it did," wrote another disgruntled user.

Credit: Mashable / Screenshot

Xbox later confirmed the spam was a test notification glitch, posting this explanation to X: "The Xbox App got a little too enthusiastic with test notifications today. That’s on us, but it’s resolved now. Thanks for understanding, and we apologize for flooding your notifications."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. What is Braze?

Braze is a customer engagement and audience platform. It offers tools and quality assurance services that allow companies to test and send messaging campaigns — what many users assume led to the Xbox app spam.

What is going on at Xbox?

Last week, Xbox fans were surprised to hear that Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer was retiring from his role at the company. Xbox president Sarah Bond also announced she was resigning, writing in a follow up statement that she would stay on as special advisor to incoming Xbox head Asha Sharma. Bond said the move was both a personal and professional decision.

UPDATE: Feb. 25, 2026, 2:49 p.m. This story was updated with additional comments from Xbox.

Best mini PC deals to run OpenClaw at a glance Best Apple deal Apple Mac mini (M4, 16GB, 156GB SSD) $569 (save $30) Get Deal Best Kamuri deal Kamuri Pinova P2 Mini PC (16GB, 512GB SSD) $299.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best Beelink deal Beelink Mini PC (24GB, 500GB SSD) $439 (save $30) Get Deal

OpenClaw is the latest AI attempting to make our lives (maybe?) easier. The open-source AI assistant runs locally on your device that operates on your behalf, scanning your email inbox, messages, calendar, Slack notifications, and more. On top of this, OpenClaw can alert you of especially important items that come across your virtual desk. Use OpenClaw with ChatGPT and you could be scheduling flights, replying to messages, and plenty more.

So long as you're cool with using AI and the inherent security risks that come with OpenClaw, you might want a mini PC dedicated to running the lobster AI assistant. For a time, the OpenClaw hype was so real that Silicone Valley buyers were depleting the supply of the Mac Mini. That initial bump has settled down (for now) and we have the Mac Mini in stock and on sale today, plus a few other mini PCs that could be ideal for OpenClaw.

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Mac Mini (M4, 16GB, 256GB SSD) $569 at Amazon
$599 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're in the Apple ecosphere, the Mac mini with M4 chip could be awesome for running OpenClaw. The version with 16GB of memory and 256GB SSD usually sells for $599, but it's on sale today at Amazon for $569.

The Mac Mini has two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, ethernet connection, HDMI, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports. Like the name suggests, Apple went small with this mini PC and it weighs under two pounds and measures five inches in width and length, and just two inches in height. It'll be easy to travel with the Mac mini or find a spot for it on your desktop.

Best Kamuri deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kamuri Kamuri Pinova P2 Mini PC (16GB, 512GB SSD) $299.99 at Amazon
$319.99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

Coming in at a smidge smaller than the Mac Mini, the Kamuri Pinova 2 Mini PC is another great option for OpenClaw. Today's sale price of $299.99 applies to the model with 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD, which is expandable to up to 4TB.

Since the Kamuri Pinova 2 Mini PC will be powered on 24/7 to run OpenClaw, it'll be nice to have the under 38 decibel fan noise. Plus, Kamuri includes a VESA mount and screws so you can easily keep your desktop clear and affix the mini PC to the back of a monitor.

Best Beehive deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beelink Beelink Mini PC (24GB, 500GB SSD) $439 at Amazon
$469 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

With support for WiFI 6, the Beelink Mini PC is more than capable of operating OpenClaw. Plus, Beelink gets major bragging rights for being incredibly lightweight. The Beelink weighs just 400 grams which works out to 0.88 pounds, or about half the weight of the Apple Mac Mini.

Today's sale price of $439 earns you 24GB RAM and 500GB SSD, running AMD Ryzen 7. Beelink incorporated two fans on this model — one for the system itself and an additional SSD fan.

Where to preorder the new Samsung Galaxy Buds4: Samsung.com Samsung Galaxy Buds4 $179.99 Pre-Order Here Samsung.com Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro $249.99 (exclusive Pink Gold color available) Pre-Order Here Amazon Samsung Galaxy Buds4 $179.99 Pre-Order Here Amazon Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro $249.99 Pre-Order Here Best Buy Samsung Galaxy Buds4 $179.99 Pre-Order Here Best Buy Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro $249.99 Pre-Order Here

Samsung has updated its flagship earbuds for 2026, announcing the new Galaxy Buds4 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro during its Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday. Preorders are now open at Samsung.com ahead of their March 11 launch alongside new Galaxy S26 smartphones.

The Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro retail for $179.99 and $249.99, respectively, the same price as their predecessors from mid-2024. Both variants come in matte black and white finishes, but Samsung's website carries the upgraded Galaxy Buds4 Pros in a third pink gold colorway. You can also preorder the earbuds from Amazon and Best Buy.

The Galaxy Buds4 Pro come in black, white, and a Samsung.com-exclusive pink gold finish. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

In a press release, Samsung said it redesigned the Buds4 series with smaller, more ergonomic earbud heads for a comfier fit. The vanilla Galaxy Buds4 still have an open-ear design like Apple's AirPods, while the Buds4 Pros have a canal-fit shape like the AirPods Pro. But the stems on both buds now have a metal finish and an engraved pinch control area that makes it easier to feel when you go to adjust settings.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 series announced, including S26 Plus and Ultra

Features-wise, the Galaxy Buds4 series has improved noise cancellation and an enhanced Adaptive Equalizer tool that adjusts the ANC based on the user's ear shape. They also add hands-free support for new AI assistant integrations, including Bixby, Google Gemini, and Perplexity.

The Galaxy Buds4 series offer up to 30 total hours of music playback with their charging cases. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

The Galaxy Buds4 Pro tack on a wider woofer for improved sound quality and new AirPods-y head gesture controls. They also last slightly longer than the Buds4, offering up to six hours of music playback per charge with the ANC off and seven hours with it on. (That increases to 26 hours and 30 hours, respectively, with their charging case.) The standard Galaxy Buds4 can play music for up to five hours with the ANC on and six with it off, for a total listening time of 24 hours and 30 hours, respectively, when the case is involved.

The Galaxy Buds4s are IP54 rated for dust and splash resistance. The Buds4 Pros' IP57 rating takes that slightly further: They can withstand temporary submersion.

For more on this new generation of earbuds, we broke down the upgrades between the Buds4 and Buds3 line.

Head to Mashable's Samsung Galaxy Unpacked live blog for the latest updates as the newest Samsung products and features are unveiled.