Samsung Galaxy S26: Privacy Display & Key Upgrades Reviewed

Samsung’s new Galaxy S26 series, led by the S26 Ultra, represents a refinement rather than a revolution in smartphone technology. Whereas not a radical departure from last year’s models, two features stand out as genuinely innovative: the “Privacy Display” and improvements to video stabilization. These incremental upgrades, coupled with a more ergonomic design, position the S26 Ultra as a strong contender in the high-end Android market.

Like Google’s recently released Pixel 10a, the S26 series focuses on evolution rather than reinvention. As smartphone technology matures, significant breakthroughs become less frequent, and manufacturers concentrate on refining existing features and addressing user needs. The S26 series embodies this trend, offering subtle but impactful improvements over its predecessors.

A Game-Changing Privacy Feature

Perhaps the most compelling new feature in the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the “Privacy Display.” For the first time on a smartphone, users can activate a mode that prevents visual eavesdropping from the side. What we have is achieved by reducing the viewing angle of the screen, making it difficult for anyone beside the user to see the content. While seemingly simple, this feature addresses a common privacy concern and feels remarkably intuitive. It’s a feature that, once experienced, feels almost essential.

The Privacy Display works by deactivating two of three pixels in the screen, directing the remaining light primarily forward. Initially, activating this mode resulted in a noticeable dimming of the screen, but Samsung has addressed this through software updates. While the screen isn’t completely invisible from the side – visibility is reduced by approximately 50% at a 45-degree angle – it provides a significant improvement in privacy, especially in public settings. The front-facing camera utilizes a low-power AI sensor to detect if someone is looking over the user’s shoulder, automatically activating the Privacy Display if necessary.

This feature is particularly relevant in today’s world, where over-the-shoulder viewing is a common concern. As one user recounted, accidentally glimpsing private messages on someone else’s phone in a public space highlights the need for such a feature. The potential for similar implementations by other manufacturers, including Apple, is high.

Enhanced Stability for Video Recording

Beyond the Privacy Display, Samsung has introduced “Super Steady Horizontal Lock,” a new video stabilization feature. This mode locks the horizon, ensuring that videos remain level even when the phone is rotated during recording. This is particularly useful for capturing action shots or videos while moving. The S26 Ultra likewise incorporates a new video codec, APV Codec, which facilitates smoother editing of high-resolution 8K video directly on the device.

Galaxy S26 Series: Specifications at a Glance

Here’s a breakdown of the specifications for each model in the S26 series:

• Samsung Galaxy S26: 6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (1-120Hz) display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Exynos 2600 processor, 12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB storage, 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto camera, 4300 mAh battery, 167g weight, starting at 10,490 NOK.
• Samsung Galaxy S26+: 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (1-120Hz) display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Exynos 2600 processor, 12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB storage, 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto camera, 4900 mAh battery, 190g weight, starting at 12,990 NOK.
• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X with Privacy Display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 “for Galaxy” processor, 12/16GB RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB storage, 200MP main + 50MP ultrawide + 50MP (5x zoom) + 10MP (3x zoom) camera, 5000 mAh battery, 214g weight (Titanium/Aluminum hybrid), starting at 14,990 NOK.

Design Refinements and Ergonomics

Samsung has made subtle but noticeable improvements to the design of the S26 Ultra. The device features rounder corners and a lighter weight compared to its predecessor, making it more comfortable to hold. The thickness has also been reduced to 7.9mm (down from 8.2mm on the S25 Ultra). The S26 Ultra also introduces a new camera island, consolidating the lenses into a single raised area, potentially reducing dust accumulation.

The base S26 model has seen a slight increase in size, moving from 6.2 inches to 6.3 inches, though this difference is minimal. The S26 series also supports faster 60W wired charging (up from 45W in the S25 Ultra), achieving 0-75% charge in approximately 30 minutes. All models now support Qi2 wireless charging, offering faster speeds and magnetic attachment similar to Apple’s MagSafe.

A new safety feature is the inclusion of satellite connectivity for emergency messaging, allowing users to send texts to emergency services even without cellular coverage. The S26 series also introduces the ability to play videos at half speed by simply holding a finger on the screen in the gallery app.

Camera Capabilities

The cameras in the S26 and S26+ remain largely unchanged from the previous generation. The S26 Ultra, however, boasts an improved main camera with a wider f/1.4 aperture, allowing for 50% more light intake. This results in enhanced low-light performance and increased bokeh. The periscope lens continues to offer impressive zoom capabilities, with up to 10x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom.

What’s Next?

The S26 series represents a continuation of Samsung’s commitment to refining its flagship smartphones. While not a revolutionary leap forward, the Privacy Display and enhanced video stabilization features offer tangible benefits to users. The focus now shifts to software updates and optimization, as well as the broader adoption of these features by other manufacturers. Expect to see further refinements in future iterations, as Samsung continues to push the boundaries of mobile technology. The success of the S26 series will likely influence the direction of smartphone development in the coming years, particularly in the areas of privacy and video recording.