From a privacy screen that hides notifications from strangers to AI photo editing with no subscription fees, we break down the biggest innovations of Samsung’s latest flagship.
Dubai, UAE: Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy S26 series on February 25, bringing a new wave of on-device artificial intelligence and hardware refinements to the market. While the device retains a familiar silhouette, the software and display innovations are where the latest Ultra model truly separates itself from the pack.
After spending time with the device at the launch event, three specific features stood out as significant upgrades for both privacy-conscious users and mobile content creators. Here’s what makes the S26 Ultra the most intriguing flagship of 2026 so far.
1. Next-Level Privacy: Toggleable “Shield” Screen
For years, privacy screen protectors have forced users to choose between security and display clarity—often resulting in a dim, grainy look when staring at it dead-on. That ends with the S26 Ultra.
Samsung has introduced an integrated privacy display that works at the panel level, not an accessory. What’s brilliant is that you can turn it on and off on demand, meaning there won’t be any annoying tint when you don’t want it. Better yet, you can apply privacy to specific apps or only parts of the screen that need protection, like whenever a notification pops up. No more shoulder surfers reading your messages on the metro.
2. Horizontal Lock: A Videography Game-Changer
On paper, the S26 Ultra keeps the same core camera hardware layout as its predecessor. However, Samsung has widened the aperture on the wide and telephoto lenses to improve low-light sensitivity.
But the real headline for creators is a software trick called Horizontal Lock. This new feature keeps your video’s orientation fixed even if you rotate the device a full 360 degrees while recording. The composition stays locked exactly how you intended. For vloggers and action shooters, this removes one of the most annoying variables in mobile videography, ensuring your horizon line stays perfect regardless of how you move.
3. Unlimited On-Device AI Photo Editing
The S26 Ultra promises advanced, on-device AI photo editing that feels less like a gimmick and more like a creative partner. You can generate new images with text or voice prompts, or edit existing photos with natural commands.
At a preview event, prompting the AI to change the color of a shirt to white yielded realistic results within seconds. You can also restore missing elements of a subject in a picture—for example, completing a slice of cake that was partially eaten before the photo was taken.
However, the biggest win here is the pricing model. Unlike most AI tools today that throttle usage behind paywalls, Samsung is positioning this with unlimited AI edits for Ultra owners. That’s a massive value-add, not just for casual users, but for anyone who wants creative control without recurring subscription barriers.
Pricing and Availability in the UAE
Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra began on February 25, with in-store availability starting March 11.
Pricing starts from Dh5,099, and goes up to Dh7,099 for the top-tier 16GB RAM + 1TB storage configuration, making it the most premium option in the series.
