For the most part, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn’t that different from last year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. That is, except for one feature on the larger Galaxy S26 Ultra: the Privacy Display.
It is exactly how it sounds – this is a display that makes it near impossible for those sitting next to you from seeing what you’re looking at. Normally, you’d need to buy a screen protector for the same effect, but this is the first time we’ve seen it as a built-in smartphone feature.
Samsung pulled this off by putting two sets of pixels in the display. One set projects an image straight ahead to you, while the other set projects lights off to the side.
When Privacy Display is enabled, the display turns off that second set of pixels. This allows you to keep viewing the display as normal and makes the display incredibly dim for anyone off to the side.
Even better, there is a setting to make this effect even greater and apply the effect to notifications. Based on hands-on experiences from various outlets. Privacy Display works as advertised.
Otherwise, the Galaxy S26 Ultra does just enough to warrant its existence. Samsung refreshed the primary 200MP and 50MP 5x zoom cameras to let in a bit more light. This should help improve low-light image and deliver a more natural-looking bokeh effect, for example.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is now available for pre-order and starts at $1,299. The phone will release on March 11.
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