Samsung will officially unveil the Galaxy S26 Ultra on February 25 at its Unpacked event in San Francisco. Thanks to months of leaks, most major details are already known. But this year, Samsung isn’t just focusing on routine upgrades. Instead, it’s introducing something genuinely different: a built-in Privacy Display designed to protect your screen from unwanted eyes.
Alongside this, the new Ultra model brings faster charging, updated AI features, and the latest Snapdragon processor. Here’s a closer look at what to expect—and whether it’s worth upgrading.
Privacy Display: A new approach to screen privacy
The most talked-about feature is Samsung’s new Privacy Display. Unlike traditional privacy screen protectors, this solution is built directly into the OLED panel.
The technology, called Flex Magic Pixel, allows individual pixels to adjust the direction of light. When privacy mode is active, the screen remains clear for the user but appears blurred or unreadable from side angles.
Samsung is also adding flexible controls in One UI 8.5. Users can turn the feature on manually or let it activate automatically in certain situations, such as:
- Opening banking or messaging apps
- Being in crowded places like public transport
- Viewing sensitive notifications or content
There’s even a Maximum Privacy mode that further limits visibility. Since this feature depends on new display hardware, it won’t be available on older Galaxy models like the S25 Ultra or S24 Ultra.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and faster charging
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy in all markets. This is good news for buyers globally, as Ultra models will no longer face regional chip differences.
Memory and storage options include:
- 12GB RAM with 256GB or 512GB storage
- 16GB RAM with 1TB storage
- No more 128GB base variant
Charging also gets a notable upgrade. Wired charging increases to 60W, compared to 45W on the previous model. The battery capacity remains unchanged at 5,000mAh.
Wireless charging will support the Qi2 standard with speeds up to 25W. However, magnetic attachment will require a compatible case rather than built-in magnets.
Camera hardware mostly unchanged, AI improvements expected
The camera hardware remains largely familiar. The main sensor is still a 200MP Samsung HP2 unit, although the aperture may improve slightly to allow more light.
The camera setup includes:
- 200MP main camera
- 50MP ultra-wide camera
- 50MP periscope telephoto with 5x zoom
- 12MP 3x telephoto camera (upgraded from 10MP)
- 12MP selfie camera with Sony sensor
Samsung appears to be focusing more on AI image processing this year. New AI tools are expected to enhance editing, improve low-light photography, and provide smarter suggestions.
Design changes are subtle but noticeable
The Galaxy S26 Ultra keeps a similar overall design, with a titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 glass. The 6.9-inch QHD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate remains.
One visible change is the new unified camera module, replacing the individual camera rings seen on previous models. The phone is also expected to be slightly thinner and lighter. The S Pen remains integrated, continuing Samsung’s focus on productivity.
One UI 8.5 brings deeper AI integration
The phone will launch with One UI 8.5 based on Android 16. Samsung is expanding its AI ecosystem with features such as:
- Improved Bixby with conversational AI
- Notification summaries
- Real-time translation during meetings
- Advanced photo editing tools
- AI-powered search and content assistance
Some of these features may later arrive on older Galaxy devices.
Expected price and availability
Pricing is expected to remain similar to last year. The base Galaxy S26 Ultra could start around:
- €1,469 in Europe
- $1,299 in the US
- ₹1,34,999 in India
Pre-orders are expected to open on February 26, with global availability starting around March 11.
Should you upgrade?
If you already own the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the upgrade may not feel essential unless you specifically want the Privacy Display or faster charging.
However, users with older models like the S23 Ultra or S24 Ultra may see more meaningful improvements, including newer hardware, better AI features, and faster charging.
The Privacy Display is the most unique addition this year. It introduces a practical new layer of privacy that could become a standard feature in future smartphones. Samsung will officially confirm everything at the Unpacked event on February 25.
Ramesh is a technology writer at gemch.in, covering smartphone launches, leaks, and comparisons. His articles focus on real-world features, performance, and value-for-money insights to help readers make informed buying decisions.