Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra hands-on: The privacy phone we didn’t know we needed

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series: Privacy, Intelligence and a Rare Moment of Maturity

There’s a quiet anxiety that comes with modern smartphones.
We bank on them. We argue on them. We confess on them. We work, schedule and store our lives inside them. And yet, in public spaces — cafés, airports, the Gautrain — our screens remain exposed.

So when unveiled at Unpacked, the biggest surprise wasn’t megapixels. It was privacy.

NOWinSA attended the South African showcase and went hands-on with the Galaxy S26 Ultra — and this doesn’t feel like another annual refresh.
It feels like Samsung refocusing.
Less noise. More intention.

The privacy display: Finally fixing the obvious

For years, privacy screen protectors were awkward afterthoughts. The S26 Ultra changes that with a hardware-integrated Privacy Display — not a filter, not an add-on.

Samsung South Africa’s VP of Mobile, Justine Hume, put it plainly, in a quick chat with us (NOWinSA):

“Privacy screen. Security is of the utmost importance for me. That’s a big one. It might seem simple, but it’s solving a problem that so many people have — and it solves it.”

When activated, the display subtly adjusts brightness and light dispersion. Turn on Maximum Privacy Impact and side visibility drops dramatically at a 60-degree angle.

In everyday terms? The stranger next to you sees nothing useful.

In a time where phones store banking credentials, medical data and private conversations, this isn’t a flashy innovation — it’s overdue.

Agentic AI: When the phone stops waiting for instructions

AI marketing has become noisy. But Justine framed the shift in a way that felt grounded:

“With AI, it’s no longer about what you need it to do for you, but how it can make your life easier.”

He elaborated:

“It’s about moving away from ‘I need you to do something for me’ and more towards simply being. It’s recognizing the commitments I’ve made, recognising my schedule, recognising the patterns I’ve developed.”

This is Samsung’s move toward proactive intelligence.

“If I promised someone a round of golf but forgot to put it in my calendar, it can prompt me — ‘Hang on, you already made that commitment.’ Our lives are run by our diaries.”

Then came the line that defines this generation of AI:

“It’s working in the background. I have to be relieved to know it’s doing the work even when I’m not noticing — especially when I’ve got important things to focus on.”

Relief. That’s a different goal from impressing users with tricks.

Voice functionality reinforces the philosophy:

“You’re struggling to type it, but you can just say it. Even if you’re in the car — ‘Throw this into my calendar. Send this WhatsApp.’ And it’s done.”

Less tapping. Less friction. More delegation.

The camera: Less aggression, more confidence

Samsung’s camera history has been bold. From the 108MP leap we covered in Samsung Unpacked showstopper: The S20 Ultra’s 108MP camera with 100x zoom to the 200MP push in Galaxy S23 Review: Insane Camera, the brand chased resolution headlines.

But numbers don’t equal balance. The S26 Ultra retains its 200MP sensor but widens the aperture to f/1.4, capturing significantly more light.

Justine explained:

“AI now works in real time, looking at each pixel to make sure we don’t lose resolution. The image you’re trying to get — especially when zooming — is reinforced to give you the right result. That’s something we’re really proud of.”

In practice, night photography looks cleaner. Sharpening is toned down. Contrast feels natural. For the first time in years, Samsung’s camera feels restrained — in a good way.

Galaxy Buds4: Smarter sound, deeper integration

Launching alongside the S26 lineup is the Galaxy Buds4 series. The Pro model brings wider drivers, upgraded ANC and Adaptive EQ tuned in real time, with 24-bit/96kHz audio support and deeper Galaxy AI integration.

Samsung’s ecosystem strategy is clear: intelligence across devices.

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samsung galaxy s26 vs s26+ vs s26 ultra: specs compared

Quick take

• Size & weight: The Ultra is noticeably larger and heavier — built for power users and content creators.
• Display: All models share the premium Samsung panel tech, but only the Ultra includes the built‑in Privacy Display.
• Battery & charging: The Ultra takes the lead in both capacity and speed, now supporting 60W wired charging that reaches roughly 75% in about 30 minutes. The base S26, by contrast, is the more compact option, starting at 25W.
• Camera: 📸 This is where the Ultra stands out — its 200MP sensor and periscope telephoto put it in a different league.
• Pricing: There’s a clear step up from base to Plus to Ultra — and the Ultra’s top tiers hit premium flagship territory in SA.

Availability in South Africa: Where and how to buy

The Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy Buds4 series are available for pre-order in South Africa starting today, with general availability from March 11, 2026.

Where to pre-order & purchase

South African consumers can secure their devices through:

• Samsung’s official South African online store: www.samsung.com/za
• Major mobile networks: Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C
• Retail partners: Incredible Connection, Takealot, HiFi Corp and selected regional outlets

For more details, visit Samsung’s local product pages or speak to your network retailer.

Galaxy Buds4 Series

Actual pricing and promotions may vary. Trade-ins, carrier bundles and seasonal offers can adjust final costs.
We recommend checking with Samsung’s SA store or your preferred retailer for the latest deals.

As Justine confirmed:

“Demand from the channel exceeds what we had expected. Everybody is aware that this is something different. It’s truly a game changer.”