Samsung's latest flagships, the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, arrive packed with features, though some are exclusive to the top-tier Ultra model. The standout hardware addition is the Privacy Display, a unique pixel structure that hides screen content from peripheral views, effective only on the Ultra. Users can customize when it activates, like during sensitive app use or notifications. While this feature offers significant privacy, it comes with trade-offs in display performance, as noted in our review.

Setting it up requires navigating Settings > Display > Privacy Display. Beyond hardware, software enhancements include Direct Voicemail, a carrier-free service offering transcription and on-device storage, plus the ability to auto-reject calls after a set time. Accessing it involves the Phone app's Settings menu.

Samsung also introduces Call Screening, an AI-powered call assistant similar to Pixel's Call Screen, providing live transcriptions and options to hang up or answer. This feature integrates with Text Call and Live Translate, allowing typed or voice responses. For photography, the S26 gains a 24MP resolution option within the standard camera app, accessible via the Camera Assistant app, offering a sharper alternative to the default 12MP without the heavy processing of higher megapixel modes.

Finally, Gemini screen automation expands, enabling app-specific tasks like ordering food or requesting rides through the AI assistant, though it requires enabling in Gemini's settings.