If you have been holding out for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the wait is nearly over. Samsung has begun pulling back the curtain on its 2026 flagship, releasing a series of teasers that highlight a pivot in focus. While artificial intelligence remains a buzzword, the company is going all-in on hardware innovation this cycle, specifically targeting user privacy.
The Era of the Privacy Screen
According to three trailers leaked by the reliable insider @IceUniverse, the headline feature for the S26 Ultra is the new “Privacy Screen.” Utilizing a Flex Magic Pixel OLED display, this technology essentially makes the screen unreadable when viewed from a side angle. The animations in the leaked teasers depict content simply vanishing unless the viewer is directly in front of the device.
This is a direct response to “shoulder surfing,” a tactic where cybercriminals or nosy bystanders spy on screens in public spaces—like elevators or buses—to steal credentials or sensitive financial data. While the marketing material circles the letters “s-m-a-r-t” to ask “Can your phone do that?”, the core message is clear: Samsung wants to physically secure your display data before software security even comes into play.
Hardware Expectations and Release Dates
Beyond the screen technology, the hardware specs suggest a powerhouse device, albeit with some familiar limitations. The phone is expected to feature a massive 6.9-inch QHD+ display and run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, paired with 12GB of RAM. Storage options range from 256GB up to a terabyte.
However, long-time Samsung users might find the power specifications a mixed bag. The rumor mill suggests the device will retain a 5,000mAh battery. If accurate, this marks the seventh consecutive year Samsung has stuck with this capacity for its top-tier flagship. On the bright side, wired charging speeds may finally see a bump from 45W to 60W, though reports on this upgrade remain conflicting.
Photography enthusiasts can expect a robust array of sensors: a 200MP primary shooter using the ISOCELL HP2, a 50MP ultra-wide, and two telephoto lenses—a 3x optical zoom and a 50MP periscope lens offering 5x optical zoom.
As for availability, noted leaker Evan Blass has pegged the Unpacked event for February 25th, which likely places the retail release in early to mid-March.
Looking Ahead: The Galaxy S27 Ultra
While the S26 is imminent, industry insiders are already tracking significant developments for the 2027 model, the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Reports out of South Korea indicate that Samsung is planning a major comeback for variable aperture technology, a feature not seen since the Galaxy S9 and S10 era.
Suppliers, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics and MCNEX, are reportedly already working on test samples. Unlike the older implementation, which only toggled between two fixed settings, the new system is expected to offer a continuous, “stepless” variable aperture similar to technology currently used by Huawei.
The Competition for Optical Supremacy
This shift appears to be reactionary. Industry chatter suggests Apple is developing similar variable aperture capabilities for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in 2027. Samsung seems keen to match or beat its primary competitor to the punch.
Currently, devices like the S25 Ultra simulate aperture changes via software in “Pro” mode. However, a physical mechanism offers superior optical quality, allowing photographers to control light intake and depth of field naturally without the digital artifacts often introduced by software processing. By moving back to hardware solutions, Samsung aims to elevate mobile photography closer to professional camera standards.