Samsung Galaxy S26/Ultra Impressions: 1 Crazy Display Feature!
Marques Brownlee provides a first look at Samsung's Galaxy S26 lineup, highlighting a standout Privacy Display feature exclusive to the Ultra model that allows users to control pixel-level privacy to block side-viewing. While the phones feature modest hardware upgrades and new AI features, the episode emphasizes Samsung's strategy of pushing display innovation boundaries and notable price increases across the lineup.
Key takeaways
- • Samsung increased base pricing by $100 across the S26 lineup, with the standard model starting at $899 and the Ultra at $1,300, though storage also increased to 256GB as justification.
- • The Privacy Display feature on the Ultra uses hardware-level pixel control to show a normal screen from straight-on viewing but fade to gray/black from side angles, with customization options for specific apps or screen sections.
- • The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip powers all models with NPU optimization for AI features, representing the expected generational performance bump.
- • Samsung's approach reflects its historical pattern of display-focused innovation—from curved edges to foldables to now privacy screens—rather than conventional design overhauls.
- • The S26 Ultra received modest camera upgrades with wider apertures (f/1.4 main, f/2.4 3X telephoto) and a slightly thinner, less boxy design using aluminum instead of titanium.
- • New AI features range from useful (call screening, Bixby LLM integration) to questionable (Photo Assist, Creative Studio), with Brownlee expressing concern about the marketing push toward calling it an "AI phone."
Recommendations (2)
"That's genuinely really sick! This is a hardware-level control over the pixels on the display that can be turned on or off whenever."
Marques Brownlee · ▶ 2:51
"My take is the Ultra feels like a little bit of a refresh and it's a cool place to try this privacy screen thing. I'm very excited to see it in person and try it out, looks pretty sick!"
Marques Brownlee · ▶ 7:25
Mentioned (6)
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