The Galaxy S26 is a photography nightmare - The Vergecast Recap

Podcast: The Vergecast

Published: 2026-02-27

Duration: 1 hr 36 min

Summary

The Vergecast dives into the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup, highlighting its peculiarities and shortcomings, especially in photography. The hosts discuss the implications of AI features and how they impact user experience.

What Happened

In the latest episode of The Vergecast, hosts David Pierce and Neil Apatella dissect the recent Samsung Unpacked event where three new phones—the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra—were unveiled. While the hardware features present some incremental upgrades, the real conversation revolves around the bizarre AI functionalities and the implications of what's being termed the 'photo apocalypse.' The hosts are particularly critical of the marketing around AI, with David noting the disclaimer on Samsung's promotional material, stating, 'Not all the features on the AI phone are AI-based,' which sets the tone for their skepticism about the effectiveness of these features.

The episode also highlights some intriguing new hardware aspects, such as a privacy screen that utilizes two sets of pixels and a feature called 'Now Nudge' for keyboard suggestions. Neil points out that while there are several interesting tech features in the Galaxy S26, including the 'Horizon Lock' in the camera app, the conversation quickly turns to the implications of AI in photography and the overall user experience. The hosts express both fascination and concern over the capabilities of AI to alter perceptions of photography, questioning the authenticity of images produced with such tools and what this means for users.

As they explore the potential of AI in the Galaxy S26, including the Gemini feature that can order an Uber using natural language, the hosts emphasize the need for thoughtful defaults in user settings. They express doubts about whether users will effectively utilize the myriad of customizable features, suggesting that Samsung may overwhelm users with notifications rather than making the privacy display genuinely useful. The episode wraps up with a lighthearted nod to Bixby, Samsung's voice assistant, leaving listeners questioning the future of AI integration in smartphones and its real-world application.

Key Insights