Starting in March 2026, Samsung will enhance Galaxy AI in the Galaxy S26 series by emphasizing faster on-device processing and improved privacy through a hybrid AI system. By shifting more AI tasks onto the device, Samsung aims to provide users with instant personalized experiences while safeguarding their data.
Faster on-device AI processing (edge AI)
- Reduced cloud reliance: the Galaxy S26 series (S26, S26+, and Ultra) uses an edge-fusion architecture to run complex tasks such as image creation, language processing, and real-time translation directly on the device’s neural processing unit (NPU), reducing dependence on remote servers.
- The S26 Ultra is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, delivering up to 100% greater NPU performance than earlier models, resulting in faster AI response times.
- Model compression, Samsung Research incorporates NOTA technology to optimize AI model efficiency, reducing its size by up to 90% to improve on-device performance.
Stronger Privacy and Security
- Personal Data Engine (PDE) was introduced with the Galaxy S25. The PDE operates on the device to learn user habits and create personalized experiences without transmitting data off the phone.
- Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection keeps a secure, dedicated space within the device’s storage, enabling an app to process sensitive AI data safely and keep it inaccessible to unauthorized parties.
- User-controlled privacy. Users can configure settings to determine whether Galaxy AI data is processed on the device or in the cloud. They may also disable online processing entirely for maximum privacy.
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra features a hardware-level pixel adjustment capability that narrows the screen’s viewing angle, helping to keep sensitive information private from those nearby.
Enhanced Agentic AI Features
- Now nudge & now brief, these context-aware agents can understand what is on the screen and present personalized suggestions and daily summaries.
- Upgraded Bixby now acts as an interactive device agent, helping users navigate settings and answer questions in natural language, all on the device.
- Users can choose Bixby, Gemini, or Perplexity as their agent. Bixby focuses on integration with Samsung devices. Gemini leverages advanced AI for conversational tasks, and Perplexity is known for providing grounded citations to enhance research reliability.
Advancing Transparency and Choice With Galaxy AI
Technology is evolving rapidly, becoming more intelligent. By the second, these progressions have brought Galaxy AI to life, unleashing new levels of productivity, creativity, and communication. But as mobile AI becomes more capable, it raises questions about privacy and control.
Samsung addresses these concerns by building Galaxy AI with security features that protect user data and by using AI to enhance mobile security and privacy. While both are vital, prioritizing ethical data handling is essential.
Honesty and choice guide our efforts. Galaxy’s simple privacy settings show what data is used in AI processing, how it’s handled, and how you can control it. These tools let you set your own rules and stay secure.
Advanced Settings for Advanced AI
This freedom applies to Galaxy AI as AI takes a larger role. People want more control over their data. Galaxy AI’s privacy features ensure you are informed and protected while using it.
We support user control with AI tools that run on-device, keeping your data secure whether you use Live Translate, Interpreter, or Audio Eraser. These features give you a safe mobile experience on your device. They work with Galaxy AI’s privacy protections to increase your control over your data.
Since launching Galaxy AI, our vision has been motivated by a commitment to openness and user choice. That’s why we chose a composite approach that combines on-device and cloud-based AI. This delivers seamless usability and lets users benefit from the full power of AI for complex tasks. Advanced features, such as generative editing, offer on-device capabilities and also use cloud-based AI as needed for processing-intensive edits. The Galaxy AI experience is created with your privacy in mind even those features that use remote servers. No matter which feature or setting you choose, your data is never stored long-term or used for AI training, whether it’s processed on-device or in the cloud. With advanced intelligent settings, managing your privacy is as simple as tapping a button. You can choose how your personal information is processed, including the option to disable online processing for AI features.
Privacy is the foundation of Galaxy AI, and thanks to our growing list of on-device AI features and powerful settings options, so is the choice.
User-Friendly Controls For Greater Visibility
It’s important that privacy settings are simple and intuitive, whatever your mobile experience. Galaxy’s security and privacy dashboard gives you an interface to manage who can see your data and how it’s used. You can update app permissions and data-sharing controls and spot risky data using safety status icons. Permission usage shows which apps recently accessed your data. The unique level of visibility makes it easy to see how all Galaxy experiences are kept secure and tailored to your preferences.
Auto-Blocker, a core privacy feature, secures your device without sacrificing usability. Message Guard scans for malware, blocks security threats, and stops unauthorized app installations, USB commands, updates, and zero-click attacks.
For those wanting a stronger defense against today’s online threats, maximum restrictions offer an additional suite of device protections. These measures provide an extra layer of user control, letting you block 2G service and prevent data interception on unsafe networks. They also prevent automatic reconnection to certain Wi-Fi networks that may be less secure.
With Samsung’s Knox protection and easy-to-understand privacy settings, you can decide how your data is handled, whether it’s shared or kept completely on the device. Going forward, Samsung will advance AI-powered security technologies to make privacy protections smarter, more adaptive, and more seamless. As AI evolves, Samsung remains committed to building secure experiences rooted in honesty and choice now and in the future.
Source: Your Privacy, Secured: How Galaxy AI Empowers You to Take Control of Your Data
