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Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra has been named to TIME’s Best Inventions 2026 list. Samsung said on October 15, 2026, that TIME’s editors and global expert contributors evaluated the phone for originality, efficacy, ambition and impact. The recognition is an inclusion on the annual list, not a claim that the Ultra was ranked the single best invention.
Why TIME recognized the Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung identifies the phone’s integrated Privacy Display as the central innovation. The company calls it the world’s first built-in Privacy Display for a mobile phone. Unlike a stick-on privacy film, the system is part of the handset and can be switched off when a normal wide viewing angle is preferable.
Samsung frames the Ultra as a combined hardware-and-software invention rather than a single camera or processor upgrade. The package includes a customized Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, a redesigned vapor chamber, wider-aperture cameras, Super Steady video with horizontal lock, support for Samsung’s APV professional-grade video codec and a set of Galaxy AI tools.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThis is the fourth appearance of a Samsung Galaxy device on TIME’s annual Best Inventions list, according to Samsung’s announcement. TIME’s recognition is editorial; Samsung’s description does not provide a numerical rank.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
How the built-in Privacy Display works
The display changes how pixels disperse light. The person looking straight at the phone retains a clear image, while people viewing from the side see less. It works in both portrait and landscape orientation and can be configured for different situations.
Available privacy controls
- Activate Privacy Display when entering a PIN.
- Limit it to selected applications.
- Apply it to notifications so message previews are harder to read in public.
- Use a maximum-privacy setting for the strongest restriction.
Privacy Display is not an invisibility shield. Samsung cautions that some information may remain visible depending on the viewing angle and screen brightness. Users who need confidentiality should still avoid displaying sensitive information in crowded spaces and should combine the feature with a strong screen lock.
Rank #2
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Camera and video hardware
The rear camera system combines four autofocus cameras:
Recommended Free Tools
| Camera | Resolution | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Wide | 200MP | Main camera |
| Ultrawide | 50MP | Wide scenes and close perspectives |
| Telephoto | 10MP | 3x optical zoom |
| Telephoto | 50MP | 5x optical zoom |
Samsung lists 2x and 10x optical-quality zoom distances and up to 100x digital zoom. Wider apertures are intended to improve low-light capture, although the supplied announcement contains no independent camera or night-mode test.
Rank #3
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Video options include 4K at 120 frames per second in Pro Video and 8K at 30fps. Super Steady adds horizontal lock to help keep footage level while moving. APV is Samsung’s professional-grade codec for workflows that repeatedly edit and export video, where preserving more information can be useful.
Galaxy AI features included
Contextual assistance
Now Nudge can suggest an action based on what is happening on the phone. Samsung’s example is surfacing recent Gallery photos when a friend asks for them, reducing the number of manual steps.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Creation and editing
- Photo Assist: makes natural-language photo edits.
- Creative Studio: turns sketches, photos or text prompts into stickers, invitations and wallpapers.
- Document Scan: corrects document distortions and combines multiple images into a PDF.
Conversational device control
Samsung says upgraded Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity integrations support conversational control and multi-step tasks. Availability of particular AI agents and functions can vary by market, account and software version, so buyers should verify which features are enabled in their region.
Specifications, performance and battery
| Specification | Galaxy S26 Ultra detail |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, adaptive 120Hz, up to 2,600 nits peak brightness |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Battery | 5,000mAh typical capacity |
| Wired charging | Up to 60W with Super Fast Charging 3.0 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 and UWB |
| Software | Android 16 with One UI 8.5 |
| Durability | IP68 water and dust resistance |
| Weight | 214g |
Samsung claims up to 19% higher CPU performance, a 39% NPU improvement and a 24% GPU improvement compared with the preceding platform. These are manufacturer figures, not independent benchmark results. The redesigned vapor chamber spreads heat across a larger area to support sustained workloads.
Best Value
- 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, up to ~1750 nits brightness, HDR10+ support, and ultra-smooth responsiveness for gaming and scrolling.
Samsung says Super Fast Charging 3.0 can reach approximately 75% in around 30 minutes at up to 60W. The 5,000mAh figure is a typical value measured under third-party laboratory conditions; actual endurance varies with network conditions, features, applications and use. The power adapter is sold separately.
U.S. price, storage and availability
Samsung’s U.S. launch information listed a starting price of $1,299.99. Storage options are 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. General availability in the United States began March 11, 2026, following pre-orders through Amazon Stores and other retailers.
Storage and memory configurations, colors, carrier support and retail pricing can differ by country and may change. The total purchase cost should include a compatible case, protection accessories and a charger if you do not already have a suitable 60W adapter.
Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra worth buying?
The Ultra is most distinctive for people who regularly use a phone in public and want hardware-based control over side-angle viewing, or for creators who need long-range cameras, 4K/120fps capture and an editing-oriented codec. Its seven-year security-update commitment also favors owners who keep phones for many years.
Consider another model if you do not need the 6.9-inch display, advanced zoom system, professional video options or configurable privacy controls. The adapter is an extra purchase, AI functions may differ by region, and Samsung’s performance and charging figures should be treated as claims until independent testing is available.
Quick Recap
What the TIME award does—and does not—establish
- It establishes that TIME included the Galaxy S26 Ultra in its 2026 Best Inventions editorial list.
- It highlights Samsung’s originality, efficacy, ambition and impact rationale as described in Samsung’s announcement.
- It does not establish a numerical position, independent battery life, camera ranking or benchmark leadership.
- Pricing, availability and feature support remain date- and market-sensitive.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
