Khaberni - "Samsung" has been accustomed in recent years to catching up with competitors who had previously surpassed it in certain features, and even abandoned characteristics that were once fundamental in its flagship phones.
But with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it seems that the Korean company is trying to turn the tables once again, by introducing an unprecedented feature that could make the phone ahead of its time, just as happened with the Galaxy S9 in 2018.
When the Galaxy S9 was ahead of its time
in 2018, "Samsung" surprised the market by launching the first smartphone with a variable aperture camera.
At a time when the competition was focused on improving image quality before the current wave of artificial intelligence, "Samsung" came up with a real technological innovation, according to a report published by "phonearena" and reviewed by "Al Arabiya Business".
The feature allowed control over the amount of light entering the sensor, thus enhancing the results in different lighting conditions.
In dark environments, for example, the wider aperture provided the sensor with more information, thereby improving the clarity of details.
But despite the bold step, the feature did not last long, and disappeared from subsequent "Samsung" phones.
Today, reports indicate that "Apple" might reintroduce the idea through iPhone 18 Pro, while "Samsung" is securing units of lenses with variable apertures for the potential Galaxy S27 series.
A first-of-its-kind privacy screen
Beyond the camera, the Galaxy S26 Ultra carries a new feature that might be the most prominent this year: a Hardware-level Privacy Display.
The concept is similar to screen protectors that prevent viewing content from the sides, but here it is integrated within the screen itself and can be activated or deactivated as needed.
Initial reports suggest that the user will be able to:
- Activate privacy mode when opening certain applications.
- Set automatic settings based on context.
- Benefit from artificial intelligence to monitor the surroundings of the device.
Some leaks even suggest that the phone may automatically activate privacy if it detects someone trying to look at the screen or if someone nearby stops for an unusual period.
A revolutionary feature or a costly gamble?
History may repeat itself. Just as happened with the variable aperture in the Galaxy S9, "Samsung" may find itself facing a technologically advanced feature that is costly to manufacture, at a time when competitors might prefer simpler and cheaper solutions.
Indeed, the market has shown its passion for striking innovations – as we've seen with foldable phones and new devices with unconventional designs.
If the idea succeeds, it could redefine the concept of privacy in smartphones. However, if it does not receive sufficient support, we could be facing a scenario similar to 2018, where Samsung leads everyone… then retreats, only for a competitor to reintroduce the idea years later as a new innovation.
In any case, it seems that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will not be just a conventional update, but a serious attempt to regain the spirit of innovation that distinguished Samsung in its best years.
