In summary:
- Tech Advisor reports that Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature an upgraded 12MP selfie camera with a new Sony sensor offering an 85-degree field of view for better group photos.
- The device will introduce a new Privacy Screen feature that uses hardware-level technology to hide sensitive content like notifications and PINs from unwanted observers.
- These improvements position the S26 Ultra as potentially the most exciting model in Samsung’s upcoming flagship series for privacy-conscious users.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could be all about getting the right angle, thanks to its new Privacy Screen feature and a potential selfie cam upgrade.
As the clock ticks ever closer to Samsung’s next big Galaxy Unpacked event on 25 February, all signs are pointing to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra being the only model worth getting excited about.
At this point, we’re essentially dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, with all of the key specs known. However, we have gained another look at what could prove to be the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s biggest new feature.
In a new video posted to the official Samsung US YouTube page, we see a woman reading a ‘romantic’ novel on public transport, with a nosy neighbour gawping over her shoulder.
A flick of a “Zero-peeking privacy” toggle later, and the text is completely blanked out for the unwanted observer, leaving it visible only to the phone’s owner.
Samsung first previewed its so-called Privacy Screen feature at the end of January. Separate leaks around that time revealed that this will be a new hardware-level feature of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, capable of blacking out specific areas of the screen, such as incoming notifications and PIN entry to all but the user.
New selfie camera tipped
In separate news, we appear to have received confirmation of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s selfie camera specifications, though this one’s an altogether less exciting upgrade.
According to Reliable Samsung tipster Ice Universe, the new Ultra model could also feature an improved selfie camera. On paper, it’s nigh-on identical to the equivalent Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra component – so another 12Mp 1/3.2″ sensor, producing 1.12um pixels, and with an f/2.2 aperture.
However, Samsung is apparently switching over to a new Sony sensor, potentially with a wider 85-degree FOV. That should prove to be be good news for group selfies, where the wider the better.
It seems the iPhone 17 can rest easy in the ‘best selfie cam’ stakes, but progress is progress.
Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.