You’ve landed on our regular ICYMI (in case you missed it) once a week—a place to get cozy, settle down, and read the most significant tech stories to happen since this time last week.
A lot has happened this week – as there always is – with Samsung’s big Galaxy Unpacked showcase the obvious highlight. We saw three new Galaxy S26 handsets, some new wireless earbuds and plenty of artificial intelligence, and you can read all the details below.
7. We saw a promising, world-first OLED TV
A new range of panels from LG should mean that OLED TVs will generally become cheaper – from all manufacturers – and we’ve got our eyes on the new Panasonic Z86C. At the time of writing, it’s the only TV with one of LG’s new panels fitted to it, and while we don’t have pricing yet, we’re able to share our first impressions with you.
Through demos that included space stations, galaxies, and nebulae (spot the theme), the Panasonic Z86C was certainly able to hold its own in terms of ink color and vivid color. However, we’ve also noticed some minor issues with this world-first television that we hope Panasonic might be able to address before it actually goes on sale.
6. Spotify has got a nice new playlist trick
Spotify doesn’t seem to be slowing down when it comes to adding new features to its apps, and there’s now a Smart Reorder tool for you to use — as long as you’re a Premium subscriber. It takes an existing playlist and then rearranges it based on the beats-per-minute (BPM) of each track, for a more consistent flow from start to finish.
What you’ll be left with is a playlist structured in a way where each song blends nicely into the next, whether you’re DJing for other people or just listening privately. We’ve got all the details on how Smart Reorder works, how you can find it in the app, and how it fits in with the other playlist editing features offered by Spotify.
5. We voted ‘the best TV show of 2026 so far’
The TechRadar team is more than ready for the second season of Paradisenow streaming on Hulu or Disney+ (depending on where in the world you live). The apocalypse has happened, the survivors are surviving, and the new episodes that have now dropped take the show on new and unexpected turns that you will hardly see coming.
In our Season 2 review (which doesn’t contain major spoilers for what’s to come), we praise the narrative energy, the cast’s performances, and the set pieces that pile up—and award the season 4.5 stars out of 5. This might be the best TV show of the year to this point, so if you haven’t yet delved into Paradise universe, add it to your queue.
4. Garmin watches got a big software boost
We know that Garmin makes some of the best smartwatches in the business, and it also does a fine job of keeping them updated with new features. The latest on the market is the Garmin Fitness Coach, which now appears in the Garmin Connect app and also on select smartwatches, ready to help you improve your strength and overall fitness.
The Fitness Coach has been highly anticipated in recent months, expanding the structured plans you can access beyond running and cycling – and as with the previous plans, each of the new options can be customized to your own needs. There are also some more minor but still welcome gear tracking upgrades rolling out.
3. We tried the new Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
Before we get to the flagship smartphones that Samsung unveiled earlier this week, let’s talk about the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro wireless earbuds that were also unveiled. We’ve already spent some hands-on time with both pairs of earphones, and while they mostly make a good first impression, there are also some minor issues.
These earphones go on sale early next month, so if you’re considering spending your hard-earned money on them, read our hands-on thoughts first. The Galaxy Buds 4 will set you back $197 / £159 / AU$299, while the Pro versions retail for $249 / £219 / AU$399 (equivalent to the AirPods Pro 3), so you can choose according to your budget.
2. Apple teased a ‘big week ahead’ for launches
If you’re an Apple fan, you’re in for a treat next week: We’re expecting multiple product launches across multiple days, and Apple CEO Tim Cook has raised the anticipation level on social media, promising a “big week ahead” for the company. We’re most likely looking at a selection of new MacBooks and new iPads and the debut of the iPhone 17e.
What we do know for sure is that Apple has an event of some description on the calendar for Wednesday, March 4, where some of this new hardware should be shown off. Of course, we’ll be covering all the announcements as and when they happen, so keep checking TechRadar for the full details on whatever Apple treats us to next.
1. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra landed with a killer feature
As for the week’s tech headlines, none was bigger than the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26, led by the premium Ultra model. We’ve already spent some time checking out the Galaxy S26 Ultra in person, and it comes with a truly innovative Privacy Display option that prevents other people around you from seeing what you’re doing on the screen.
It is a feature that may well be adopted by other phone models in the future. We shouldn’t forget the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus, which also had upgrades worth talking about (mostly AI-related, which doesn’t surprise anyone). It’s the first major smartphone launch of 2026, and now it’s up to Apple and Google to see what they got in return.
