Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, introducing a screen-masking Anti-Spy mode that stops bystanders from reading the screen. The launch answers growing privacy worries as smartphones run more sensitive AI workloads.

What's new: Privacy Display Anti-Spy mode arrives first on the S26 Ultra

Anti-Spy mode is a screen-masking feature that narrows the viewing cone so only someone directly in front of the phone can see the display. S26 Ultra owners can turn it on to hide the whole screen or just sensitive notifications and password entry fields from side angles. The technology makes the display unreadable to anyone not looking straight at the device—useful for travelers in airport lounges or commuters during crowded subway rides.

By the numbers: Full Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra specifications

All three models ship with One UI 8.5 on Android 16. The base S26 and S26+ use a 10-core Exynos 2600 built on a 2-nm process, which shrinks transistors to boost speed and cut power consumption. The Ultra steps up to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, delivering higher graphics throughput for gaming and video editing.

Storage and memory: The S26 offers 12 GB RAM with 128/256/512 GB storage options. The S26+ starts at 256 GB (also 512 GB available), while the Ultra ranges from 256 GB to 1 TB, all with 12 GB RAM.

Display: The S26 features a 6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, the S26+ steps up to 6.7 inches at QHD+, and the Ultra delivers 6.9 inches at QHD+. All three support adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rates.

Cameras: The S26 and S26+ share a triple-camera system with 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, and 10 MP 3× telephoto lenses plus a 12 MP selfie camera. The Ultra upgrades to a quad-camera array: 200 MP wide, 50 MP ultrawide, 50 MP 5× telephoto, and 10 MP 3× telephoto, plus the same 12 MP front camera.

Battery: The S26 packs 4,300 mAh, the S26+ holds 4,900 mAh, and the Ultra features 5,000 mAh. All models support fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

Colors include violet, white, black, and light blue across all models.

Galaxy AI expands with on-device Gemini and Perplexity integration

Galaxy AI now runs Gemini and Perplexity models locally, enabling faster answers and reduced data transmission. Users can edit photos or transcribe voice recordings without relying on cloud servers, which conserves bandwidth and extends battery life during AI-heavy tasks. On-device processing keeps personal data on the phone rather than sending it to remote servers.

What to watch: U.S. carrier offers and regional availability

Exynos 2600 powers the S26 and S26+ in most markets, while the Ultra ships with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the United States and select regions. Major U.S. carriers—including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile—typically offer trade-in credits and promotional discounts for flagship smartphone launches.

Consumers should compare carrier bundles and Samsung's direct trade-in program to find the best value. The new privacy screen and on-device AI position Samsung to attract power users who prioritize data security and performance over cloud-dependent alternatives.