Galaxy Unpacked 2026: Samsung's S26 Ultra Introduces Built-In Privacy Display — Here's What Else Is New

Samsung officially unveiled its flagship Galaxy S26 series at the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco on 25 February 2026. The launch focused on the integration of hardware-level security features and generative artificial intelligence across the three-model lineup. While the standard S26 and S26+ models received iterative internal updates, the Galaxy S26 Ultra introduced a hardware development in display technology known as the Privacy Display.

The Privacy Display on the S26 Ultra is the result of five years of research and development. It utilises a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with specialised light-dispersion technology built directly into the pixel layer. Unlike software filters that merely dim the screen, this physical solution obscures content from side, top, and bottom angles, making it nearly impossible for onlookers to 'shoulder surf' in public environments such as trains or lifts.

In a significant ecosystem expansion, Samsung confirmed a strategic partnership with Perplexity AI. This collaboration allows Perplexity to act as a system-level agent alongside Bixby and Google Gemini, making it the first non-Google AI assistant to use a dedicated 'wake word' on a Samsung device. This 'agentic' approach enables the phone to anticipate user needs, such as automatically checking calendar availability when a meeting is mentioned in a messaging app.

Hardware-Level Privacy and Security

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's 'Flex Magic Pixel' allows users to customise their level of protection via a dedicated toggle or a double-press of the side button. The system is highly adaptive; it can be programmed to trigger 'Maximum Privacy' automatically when entering a PIN, pattern, or password. Furthermore, a new 'Partial Screen Privacy' feature allows the device to specifically obscure notification pop-ups while keeping the rest of the display bright and clear for the user.

Despite these additional layers, the hardware has been refined for portability. The S26 Ultra is 0.3 mm thinner than its predecessor and weighs 214 grams, making it the lightest Ultra model to date. The series is available in four standard colours: Cobalt Violet, Black, Sky Blue, and White. UK customers purchasing through the official Samsung store have access to exclusive Silver Shadow and Pink Gold finishes.

Proactive AI and Technical Performance

The Galaxy S26 series introduces 'Now Nudge,' a feature that provides real-time suggestions based on on-screen context. If a user is discussing evening plans, Galaxy AI will surface relevant calendar entries or suggest photos from a recent trip to share in the chat. This is complemented by 'Now Brief,' which provides a personalised summary of tasks, health data, and communications based on the user's daily routine.

The internal hardware has been significantly upgraded to handle these 'always-on' AI tasks. The S26 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 'for Galaxy' chipset, delivering a 19 per cent increase in CPU performance, a 24 per cent boost in GPU power, and a 39 per cent improvement in Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capabilities. To sustain this performance, the Ultra utilizes a redesigned vapour chamber with thermal interface material positioned along the sides of the processor for more efficient heat dissipation.

UK Pricing and Availability

In the UK, Samsung has discontinued the 128GB entry-level storage option. All models now start with a minimum of 256GB. The Galaxy S26 is priced from £879 (approximately $1,200), the S26+ from £1,099 (around $1,500), and the S26 Ultra from £1,279 (around $1,700). Notably, the standard and Plus models in the UK market will utilise the Exynos 2600 processor rather than the Snapdragon variant.

Worldwide shipping for the series is scheduled to begin on 11 March 2026. Customers who pre-order before this date are eligible for a free storage upgrade and additional trade-in rebates of up to £630 ($850) on selected tariffs.