Here’s how AI shields your screen Leave a comment
I’ve been testing the Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks, and a number of the upgrades look helpful. Still, one change within the digital camera has me a bit frightened.
The Ultra is Samsung’s greatest and strongest smartphone, full of extra synthetic intelligence than ever. Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks trace that Samsung may use AI so as to add privateness options that, similar to screen protectors, disguise your show from anybody not wanting straight at it. And that’s only the start.
Beyond AI, there are modifications to the design, show, battery, and digital camera. I dug by way of the web to see what’s new, and whereas most updates look superior, photographers may not be thrilled with one specific change.
S26 Ultra design
The Galaxy S26 Ultra brings again the flat show as soon as extra, with a digital camera gap sitting proper within the center on the high. The screen edges keep skinny and even throughout, giving it a clear look.
The corners curve only a bit this time. I like the texture of rounded edges when holding the telephone, however sharp corners at all times look sleeker and extra high-end. Still, I’d fairly skip the ache of holding a pointy telephone—there are higher methods for design to face out than by hurting your hand.
On the suitable aspect, you’ll discover each bodily button—quantity up and down above the ability key. The left aspect stays naked. Down on the backside sit the SIM tray, primary speaker, USB Type-C port, and S Pen slot tucked within the bottom-left nook.
The again design takes a cue from the S25 Edge and Z Fold7, sporting the same digital camera island. The format stays acquainted, although not each lens pops out from the physique. 3 cameras line up vertically on the left, resting on a raised island that stands proud round 4.5 mm whereas the telephone itself is about 7.9 mm thick. The bump stands out, little question, but it surely’s a small value for a digital camera setup that may crush the rest on the market.
As for the scale, the S26 Ultra measures 163.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm—or 12.4 mm if you happen to rely the digital camera bump—and weighs about 217 grams. For comparability, the S25 Ultra got here in at 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm and weighed 218 grams. So it’s nearly the identical dimension, only a contact slimmer and lighter.
S26 Ultra show
Samsung is leaping to M14 OLED panels with CoE tech—a combination that trims bulk, kills glare, and makes colours pop brighter. The S26 Ultra screen ought to measure round 6.89 inches, although Samsung will spherical as much as 6.9 simply to flex. Size-wise, it’s a match for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Buried within the One UI 8.5 code, although, lies the enjoyable half—a “Private Display” mode. It limits how a lot individuals can see from the aspect, conserving your screen secure from nosy eyes.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra may include a characteristic known as Flex Magic Pixel, which sounds straight out of sci-fi. It can sense if you happen to’re in a crowd, possibly on the subway or at a café, and modify your screen’s visibility. Yeah—you surrender a little bit of privateness simply to guard your screen privateness. But then once more, it’s no totally different from how Apple Maps or Google Maps know when site visitors jams up on your method dwelling.
S26 Ultra processor
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping as much as pack some severe energy. For starters, Samsung will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Qualcomm confirmed it through the Snapdragon Summit 2025, even when they didn’t identify particular telephones.
The subsequent era of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers a masterpiece of efficiency to flagship smartphones, redefining cellular excellence with unimaginable efficiency, effectivity, and on-device agentic AI.
Not each S26 Ultra might run Snapdragon, although. Word is, the Exynos 2600 may present up in sure markets. Samsung has a historical past of utilizing Exynos chips in Europe whereas the US and China get Snapdragon variations.
The Exynos 2600 would be the first 2nm cellular chip, that includes a deca-core CPU in a 1+3+6 setup. Mass manufacturing kicked off final month.
S26 Ultra battery
The Galaxy S26 Ultra retains the identical 5,000 mAh battery from earlier Ultra fashions. In Tom’s Guide’s battery check, the Galaxy S25 Ultra ran for 17 hours and quarter-hour—the longest any Samsung telephone has gone to date. The S24 Ultra, with the identical 5,000 mAh cell, managed 16 hours and 45 minutes. That’s a 30-minute acquire, round a 3% soar.
Sure, a 5,000 mAh battery sounds small for 2025 when some flagships push 6,000 mAh, but when Samsung squeezes out extra effectivity, the S26 Ultra may shock us.
As for charging, the rumors preserve bouncing round. Some reviews say Samsung will persist with 45 W wired charging, whereas others declare it’s leaping to 60 W. No one is aware of for positive but.
I’m, nonetheless, hoping Qi2.2 wi-fi charging hits as much as 25 W. Since the telephone is alleged to incorporate inside magnets, Samsung may put them to make use of. The firm already launched a few new Qi2-compatible wi-fi chargers within the US, which could trace at what’s subsequent. One charger is made for vehicles ($84.99), and the opposite for dwelling use ($34.99).
S26 Ultra digital camera
Camera upgrades gained’t be large. You’ll nonetheless get 4 lenses on the again. The primary shooter packs 200 megapixels (f/1.4, 1/1.3-inch sensor) and pairs with a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens. I’ve to confess that Samsung already improved the ultrawide on the S25 Ultra, so it captures sharper indoor pictures and performs higher in low gentle.
Telephoto may take a step again. Rumor factors to a 10-megapixel sensor (1/3.94-inch, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom), which is smaller than the Sony IMX754 within the S25 Ultra. That may frustrate customers, particularly since nighttime images are already tough.
As for the periscope zoom, Samsung retains a 50-megapixel sensor (1/2.52-inch) with 5x optical zoom. By the best way, if you happen to’re curious how Samsung’s zoom images developed, a Redditor shared a comparability of the S22 Ultra and S24 Ultra whereas capturing in Bern, Switzerland.
S26 Ultra launch date
Samsung likes to get a soar on its flagship launches. The Galaxy S sequence retains creeping earlier yearly. These days, they normally announce the telephones in January, then ship just a few weeks later, typically hitting shops in February.
Right now, rumors in regards to the S26 Ultra launch date are all over. One Greek supply says Samsung may push the launch again. According to the report, Samsung wrapped up work on the high-end S26 Ultra, however the common S26 remains to be behind. The supply doesn’t give extra particulars on the delay, so I’d take it with a pinch of salt.
Parting ideas
The Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to be like able to convey strong upgrades over its predecessor, plus just a few options that would make it stand out. The Flex Magic Pixel appears cool, utilizing AI to maintain prying eyes off your screen.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, although—the telephoto lens may fall a bit brief. Even so, there’s a lot to look ahead to.