I had to double-check I was actually holding a typically bulky Samsung Galaxy Ultra phone, because this felt anything but.
With a slimmer and lighter build, the S26 Ultra feels less like a behemoth and more like a comfortable, yet substantial, large-screen phone. I got my hands on the Galaxy S26 Ultra at Samsung's media event in San Francisco on Monday, ahead of Wednesday's Unpacked keynote.
Before the briefing, I'd wondered if Samsung would incorporate the sleek designs of the Galaxy S25 Edge, Z Fold 7 and Z TriFold into its flagship lineup. Compared with last year's S25 Ultra, the differences are incremental. After swapping the titanium frame for an aluminum one, the S26 Ultra is 7.9mm thick and weighs 214 grams, compared with 8.2mm and 218 grams on the S25 Ultra. There are improvements to this year's model across the battery, camera and display that make this slight trim-down more impressive.
Watch this: First Look at the Galaxy S26 Ultra: Camera, Battery and AI Updates 02:56
Another element that didn't bulk up this year: The Galaxy S26 Ultra's $1,300 price. It's still not chump change, but at least this phone didn't get the same $100 price hike Samsung saddled onto the S26 baseline and Plus. All three phones are available for preorder now and will be available on March 11.
You can turn on Privacy Display in Quick Settings to prevent others from seeing what's on your screen. Celso Bulgatti/CNET
Galaxy S26 Ultra display and design
Perhaps the most talked-about Galaxy S26 Ultra feature is the Privacy Display, which Samsung says is a first on a mobile device. With this feature enabled, the person sitting next to you won't be able to see what's on your screen. It's similar to how a privacy screen protector that you can buy separately works, but this is a built-in hardware feature.
Privacy Display also has more upscale features than you'll get with a $10 screen protector. You can set it to work with specific apps, or enable it on your phone's lock screen so no one sees your password or PIN.
You can opt for Privacy Display to obscure only your notifications as they roll in, but keep the rest of your screen visible, so you can, say, keep watching a YouTube video with the person beside you without them seeing your incoming messages. The feature works whether you're holding your phone vertically or horizontally. I was impressed with how well this functioned in person, and I appreciate the level of customization, so you don't have to be mysterious all the time.
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