Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series on February 26th. Besides upgrades to the processor and design, the South Korean company hopes to differentiate itself with a range of exciting software features.
On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the biggest highlight is the privacy-blocking display technology, a first for a Samsung flagship. The other devices also feature numerous software and AI toolkit upgrades. These are some of the notable features of the new product line.
Anti-spy screen
Launched at the end of January, the Privacy Display feature is available on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Instead of applying a separate screen protector, users can enable the built-in feature to narrow the screen's viewing angle.
When Privacy Display is activated, the content on the device is only clear when viewed directly and will darken when viewed from an angle. A Samsung representative stated that this feature helps ensure privacy, especially when using the device in public places and wanting to limit prying eyes.
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The anti-spy screen feature on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Photo: Xuan Sang . |
Compared to screen protectors, Samsung's solution combines hardware and software to enhance convenience. The company describes the mechanism as working by limiting wide-angle light-emitting pixels and focusing on vertically emitting pixels.
Users can manually enable the feature in the settings, Quick Settings menu, by double-tapping the virtual button next to the screen, or enable it automatically under certain conditions.
Privacy Display can be activated when accessing specific apps, such as Facebook, banking apps, or photo galleries. It automatically turns off when you exit or switch to another app.
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Screen privacy settings interface. Photo: Phuong Lam . |
The device also supports enabling privacy snooping when entering passwords, unlocking the screen, or when notifications appear. This provides greater flexibility in limiting what others can see, based on the desired level of privacy protection.
Samsung says it spent five years researching, testing, and perfecting its anti-spy technology. This feature is currently only available on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The company has not yet revealed plans to integrate it into other products.
Edit images using commands.
AI is no longer unfamiliar to smartphones today. On the Galaxy S26, Samsung continues to upgrade its Galaxy AI toolset. Beyond simply removing backgrounds or objects from photos, users can request AI to edit and add details as desired with Photo Assist.
This feature was also confirmed by Samsung in mid-February. The new tool allows users to input commands in natural language to request background changes, compensate for missing details, merge multiple images into one, and even transform details in an image to resemble another object.
After entering the command, the AI will analyze, process, and edit the image according to the requirements. Once complete, the user can save the image, delete it, enter a command to continue editing, and review previous edits to choose the most satisfactory image.
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Image editing feature using voice commands on the Galaxy S26 series. Photo: Xuan Sang . |
For example, with a photo of a half-eaten piece of cake, users can ask the AI to fill in the missing part, change the background to their desired theme, or create stickers with different expressions based on a photo of their pet.
The highlight is that AI can draw even the smallest details of shadows, recreating lighting to suit new objects and backgrounds. Image processing and editing speed depends on the internet connection.
Creating photos or stickers using AI on the Galaxy S26 is simplified thanks to the Creative Studio feature. The device supports sketching and entering commands to create and edit photos in a shared space instead of switching between apps as before.
Integrate Perplexity
Alongside Bixby and Gemini, the Galaxy S26 adds Perplexity as a new AI assistant. This is part of an agreement between Samsung and Perplexity to integrate the assistant of the same name across the entire Galaxy ecosystem.
According to Samsung, users tend to choose multiple AI assistants for different tasks, depending on the strengths of each model. Perplexity agents will work with applications such as Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder, and Calendar.
Perplexity can be activated by pressing and holding the power button, then using voice or text commands. The assistant will process the request and return the corresponding result. This AI can retrieve information from the internet, use agents to make purchases, check emails, and more.
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The Perplexity assistant on the Galaxy S26. Photo: Xuan Sang . |
Besides Perplexity, the other assistants like Gemini and Bixby are still supported, with Bixby being able to run locally without an internet connection.
According to Samsung, this new approach reduces the need to switch between apps or repeat commands, allowing Galaxy AI to run silently in the background. The company can select and integrate experiences from services like Perplexity, while ensuring everything is seamlessly connected within the Galaxy ecosystem.
The Galaxy S26 is also one of the first smartphone lines to update the Gemini assistant feature for future use. Users can ask the assistant to perform tasks such as ordering a ride or ordering food.
At the launch event, Google representatives emphasized that the future vision for Android is not just a conventional operating system, but will become an "intelligence system".
New camera features
On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the video recording feature includes a new Super Steady tool. Compared to regular image stabilization, this new tool works similarly to the horizon lock mode found on some action cameras.
Combining accelerometer and gyroscope sensors, the device can keep the frame perfectly vertical, even when the phone is rotated 360 degrees. This helps ensure video quality in certain conditions, without the need for a gimbal or specialized camera.
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Icon for super anti-shake video recording mode. Photo: Xuan Sang . |
Samsung has also integrated the APV codec into its new flagship line. Similar to Apple ProRes, this is a video encoding system developed by the South Korean company, preserving data through multiple editing and file export processes. APV supports a maximum resolution of 8K@30 fps.
The camera hardware on the S26 Ultra has been upgraded with a 200MP main camera and an aperture increased from f/1.7 to f/1.4. According to Samsung, this change improves light-gathering capabilities by 47% compared to its predecessor, reducing reliance on noise reduction algorithms.
On the Galaxy S26, Samsung also improved the AI subject recognition system, helping to reproduce skin tones and hair details more naturally in photos. Other improvements include ProScaler image enhancement technology and intelligent color processing (Digital Natural Image engine).
Improvements in AI and hardware.
The Galaxy S26 adds a smart suggestion feature (Now Nudge). AI can scan the screen to retrieve message or email content, then suggest relevant actions. For example, when texting about travel plans, the device will suggest sharing photos of corresponding attractions, eliminating the need for manual searching.
The Bixby assistant on the S26 has been improved with natural language support, allowing for more flexible interaction. With the Circle to Search feature, users can now search for multiple details simultaneously, such as information about pants, shirts, and shoes in an outfit, instead of searching for them individually.
When using the camera-based document scanning feature, the AI on the Galaxy S26 can remove distortions, creases, or fingerprints from documents, resulting in higher-quality scans.
The AI on the Galaxy S26 can proactively identify calls from unknown numbers. Noise filtering is also supported for third-party apps such as YouTube, Instagram, and Netflix.
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The Galaxy S26 series features upgraded hardware with a powerful processor. Photo: Phuong Lam . |
In terms of hardware, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is equipped with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. According to Samsung, the new processor offers 19% higher CPU performance, 39% higher NPU performance, and 24% higher GPU performance compared to the S25 Ultra.
The 1TB version of the S26 Ultra comes with 16GB of RAM, while the 256GB or 512GB options use 12GB of RAM. In this generation, Samsung has also improved the vapor chamber cooling system with 21% higher efficiency, promising to maintain better performance than its predecessor.
In terms of design, the Galaxy S26 Ultra features more rounded edges, is lighter, and no longer has a titanium frame, opting instead for aluminum. The device supports wired fast charging up to 60W (charging up to 75% of the battery in 30 minutes) and wireless fast charging up to 25W.
Source: https://znews.vn/nhung-tinh-nang-moi-บน-galaxy-s26-post1630218.html
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