The scene around the Galaxy Unpacked event venue at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, U.S., on Tuesday 2026.2.24 / News1

Photography is strictly prohibited. No pictures of any kind are allowed. As Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event approaches, where the Galaxy S26 series will be unveiled, the atmosphere in the U.S. venue is buzzing with last-minute preparations. The area surrounding the event location is under tight security with strict access control.

On Tuesday, the vicinity of the Galaxy Unpacked venue at San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts was under lockdown. Security personnel were adamant that without proper credentials, even photographing the area around the venue was off-limits. Only Samsung Electronics staff were permitted to enter and exit the event space.

Samsung Electronics is set to host its Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., where they will showcase new products, including the Galaxy S26.

The entrance to the venue was adorned with Galaxy Unpacked promotional messages and images from the previously released invitation. The design featured a star-shaped image, symbolizing the Galaxy artificial intelligence (AI) function, emerging from a cube-shaped box.

In contrast to the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 held in New York last July, which boasted graffiti photo zones and digital billboards to promote new Galaxy products, this year's event preparations appear more understated. Samsung Electronics had initially considered using flags and other promotional materials to announce Galaxy Unpacked, but reportedly had to abandon these plans due to local regulations.

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, U.S., where the Galaxy Unpacked event will be held on Wednesday 2026.2.24 / News1

The Palace of Fine Arts, this year's event venue, is an iconic landmark in San Francisco's Marina District. Built in 1915 to exhibit artworks for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, it now hosts a variety of events including concerts, corporate functions, and exhibitions.

This marks Samsung's return to the Palace of Fine Arts for an Unpacked event after a six-year hiatus. The company last held a Galaxy Unpacked here in 2020, unveiling the Galaxy S20 series and the Galaxy Z Flip.

A Samsung representative explained that the Palace of Fine Arts holds significant symbolic value and provides the expansive space required for Galaxy Unpacked, including presentation stages and experience zones. These factors influenced our decision to reveal its new products at this location.

Drone footage captured at the Palace of Fine Arts venue in San Francisco, U.S., on Tuesday, one day before Galaxy Unpacked 2026 / Provided by Samsung Electronics

Photography is strictly prohibited. No pictures of any kind are allowed. As Samsung's Gala …

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