S26 Ultra debuts with built-in Privacy Display and expanded Galaxy AI
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 series at Galaxy Unpacked 2026 in San Francisco on February 25, and the s26 ultra stands out with a built-in Privacy Display and expanded Galaxy AI features that aim to change how people use phones in public.
Launch timing, models and event details in San Francisco
The Galaxy S26 series — the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra — was revealed at Galaxy Unpacked 2026 in San Francisco. The event was set to begin at 1PM ET, and an early hands-on look at the Galaxy S26 series was presented during the exhibition. This rollout marks the third generation of Samsung’s Galaxy AI phone.
Design tweaks: rounded curvature, slimmer profile and 214 grams
Samsung described a refined, modern aesthetic for the lineup, with a rounded curvature and cohesive color palette intended to create a unified design identity across the models. The build is slimmer and lighter; Galaxy S26 Ultra is 0. 3 mm thinner than its predecessor and weighs 214 grams. That slimmer profile is said to enhance portability while maintaining a secure, comfortable grip.
S26 Ultra Privacy Display debuts with side‑angle shielding and fine controls
Debuting on the series-topping S26 Ultra, the Privacy Display limits side-angle viewing without the need for a separate screen protector. The display remains clear from the front while restricting visibility from the sides to help shield on-screen content from nearby onlookers; Samsung noted the feature is especially useful on crowded public transportation or in elevators. Users can assign the Privacy Display to the side button’s double-press for quick access.
Hands-on impressions described enabling the privacy feature as easy and instant. Tilted away from the viewer, the screen goes dark for side onlookers — faint text and outlines may remain at first, but readability drops to an eye‑straining level. There is a "maximum privacy protection" setting that applies a visible filter face‑on and makes the screen almost mirror-like when viewed at an angle, effectively appearing as a sheet of grey glass to side viewers. The feature also offers fine-tune controls: it can be set to trigger only for apps such as Gmail or TikTok, or to shield only a portion of the screen and block notification pop-ups while leaving the rest visible.
Galaxy AI upgrades: Now Nudge, Circle to Search and three-agent ecosystem
The Galaxy S26 series combines enhanced contextual awareness with proactive suggestions under the Galaxy AI banner. The Now Nudge feature aims to reduce app switching by surfacing relevant information in context; for example, when a friend asks about evening plans on a messaging app, Galaxy AI checks the calendar, detects conflicts and displays a tailored "Nudge" pop-up. Circle to Search has evolved to support multi-element searches, so circling a celebrity’s outfit can generate curated pieces to recreate the look.
The AI ecosystem expands to include Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity. Users can use natural language commands to adjust settings — saying "My eyes feel tired" prompts Bixby to suggest activating Eye comfort shield — and these agents are described as understanding user intent and context to streamline daily routines.
Cameras, Nightography and unfinished Photo Assist details
The Galaxy S26 series pushes mobile photography further with advanced AI for capture and editing. Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 200-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 50 MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and 10x optical-quality zoom, plus a wider aperture for improved low-light clarity. Upgraded Nightography was highlighted after a recreated San Francisco nightscape inside the exhibition hall appeared vivid and detailed despite dim surroundings. The AI ISP, previously used in the rear camera, also extends to the front camera, capturing fine details — from individual hair strands to eyebrows — while preserving natural skin tones.
Galaxy AI is said to provide an intuitive creative environment that turns ideas into finished results quickly, and the upgraded Photo Assist "goes further — removing" unclear in the provided context.
Practical notes: handling, comparisons and unfinished corner details
Hands-on commentary noted the S26 Ultra feels premium while being thinner and lighter than the previous generation, achieved without decreasing the number of cameras or the size of the battery and screen. The result was described as a big phone that still feels premium but less over-bearing and considerably lighter and slimmer than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. One practical caveat: the S Pen stylus was described as feeling a little fragile, with a caution to be careful sliding it in and out of the handset. The account also mentioned that "Samsung has also made the corners of the Ultra c" unclear in the provided context.
Questions left open at launch
Early coverage noted wider questions around pricing pressure labeled "RAMageddon" and whether it would affect retail numbers, and whether additional new AI features would appear beyond those shown at the event. Those questions remain part of the conversation as the Galaxy S26 series reaches buyers.
