Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced that it is now offering the Galaxy S26 series — Samsung’s third-generation AI phones — as part of its Samsung Certified Re-Newed (CRN) programme. Backed by Samsung’s trusted certification, Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra are now more accessible to consumers at an affordable price, with trusted performance, quality and warranty.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra features the most powerful hardware ever on a Galaxy S series device, an industry-leading camera system and the most intuitive, proactive and adaptive Galaxy AI experiences. It also introduces a built-in Privacy Display, which keeps content clear for the user while limiting what others can see.¹

The Galaxy S26 and S26+ also bring premium flagship experiences to a broader audience, combining advanced AI capabilities and camera performance in a refined design. With seven generations of OS upgrades and security updates, the Galaxy S26 series delivers long lasting performance and durability consumers expect — making premium technology more accessible without compromise.

Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra Certified Re-Newed undergo an in-house expert inspection and refurbishment process, which includes rigorous cleaning and quality tests. Each device is reconditioned to look and perform to Samsung’s high standards using genuine Samsung parts². During the restoration process, all devices are reset to delete personal data and ensure they are sold in a condition equivalent to that of a brand-new device.³

Certified Re-Newed devices come with the same warranty as new Galaxy devices⁴ and updated with the latest software to ensure security and long-term usability, giving customers added peace of mind.

Availability

Starting today, Galaxy S26 Certified Re-Newed, Galaxy S26+ Certified Re-Newed and Galaxy S26 Ultra Certified Re-Newed will be available on Samsung.com.

Available in both Black and Cobalt Violet, all Samsung Certified Re-Newed smartphones come with a 2-year warranty, just like Samsung’s brand-new smartphones:

Galaxy S26 Ultra

• 1TB
• 512GB
• 256GB

Galaxy S26+  

• 512GB
• 256GB

Galaxy S26    

• 512GB
• 256GB

1. Built-in Privacy Display is available only on Galaxy S26 Ultra and requires manual activation in Settings. It is a display feature and is not AI-powered. ︎
2. The types of parts to be replaced differ depending on the condition of the phone. ︎
3. The product may have slight external blemishes that do not affect functionality or performance. ︎
4. Warranty may vary by country or market. ︎

The #PlayGalaxy Cup is a global mobile gaming tournament designed to showcase the powerful gaming performance of Galaxy smartphones. This year marked the first time the competition was held as a full-season league, with regional qualifiers leading up to the World Final.

 “This year was the first time the #PlayGalaxy Cup was held as a full season tournament, and we’ve witnessed thrilling competition from start to finish,” said David Moon, Head of Influencer Marketing, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is thrilled to have brought gamers from all over the world together to experience the powerful performance of Galaxy S26 Ultra.”

The regional qualifiers were held across five regions — North America, Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe — with 32 teams from 17 countries competing for a place in the final stage. The top two teams from each region advanced, bringing a total of 10 teams from nine countries to the World Final at Gamescom.

After proving their skills through the regional qualifiers, the finalists then competed over two days for the championship.

All players at the World Final competed on Galaxy S26 Ultra, whose powerful processing performance and optimised thermal management enabled high-intensity matches through stable, immersive gameplay.

The final was won by the Malaysian team and was livestreamed worldwide on YouTube through streamer Ludwig’s channel, drawing a total of 12.1M views.

In addition to the #PlayGalaxy Cup World Final, Samsung operated a dedicated Galaxy experience zone at the venue, where visitors could get hands-on experience with Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

Through partnerships with HoYoverse, TiMi Studio, and Gameloft, visitors to Samsung’s booth were also able to experience a variety of popular game titles across Galaxy devices.

It’s every traveller’s worst nightmare and yet such accidents are more common than you think. According to Samsung Care+ ^[1] data, claims submitted in July and August were 30% higher than the annual average ^[2]. With your phones holding everything from boarding passes and hotel reservations to maps, a damaged device could be a potential trip-nightmare.

▲ A damaged smartphone can be a holiday headache.

That is, unless you have Samsung Care+. Here’s how the comprehensive service helps keep your device protected, giving you peace of mind throughout your summer travels.

Reliable Support Across Major Destinations

First things first, there’s no need to panic. Samsung Care+ offers comprehensive coverage both at home and abroad^[3] through a network of Samsung-authorised service centers across major cities worldwide. Whether you’re in London, Seoul, Los Angeles, or Barcelona, your protection travels with you.

▲ Samsung Care+ customers get support through nearby Samsung-authorised service centers both at home and abroad.

Hassle-Free Repairs

Every minute counts on a vacation and the last thing you want is a long wait. Samsung Care+ streamlined claims process is designed to get you back on track fast.

• Streamlined Claiming: Complete a claim online in just a few minutes with our easy-to-follow process (or by phone if you prefer).
• Walk-in Repair: Select your preferred repair location and then drop your device in for repair.

Within minutes of arriving, the team will have your repair underway, getting your holiday plans back on track.

Professional Service by Certified Technicians

Samsung-certified technicians know Samsung Galaxy devices better than anyone. They’ll repair your device using Samsung genuine parts, and make sure it’s in great working condition.

▲ All repairs are handled by Samsung certified experts using original parts.

Continuing Your Journey With Complete Peace of Mind

Thanks to Samsung Care+’s service network and professional care, you are good to go. What could have ruined your long-awaited vacation becomes just a minor mishap. Samsung Care+ gives you complete peace of mind throughout your trip so you can focus on creating lasting memories.

▲ Samsung Care+’s comprehensive coverage offers peace of mind for Galaxy users.

[1]Terms and conditions apply. Samsung Care+ coverage, service type and promotion details may vary by country/region and deductible (service fee) may apply

[2]Based on Samsung Care+ claims submitted in 2025

[3]When in need of Samsung Care+ services during your travel, contact the visiting country/region’s local customer services center in advance for Samsung Care+ availability.

See SAR at the bottom of the page^[1]

Departure: The Escape Begins Before You Step Out the Door

Whether on a train pulling away from the city or cruising down the highway, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro transform every journey into a special moment. Their dual-speaker system, with 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Fi audio^[2], reproduces every detail with richness and depth – ideal for rediscovering a playlist or starting a podcast that signals the start of the weekend. For long trips or winding roads leading to a mountain retreat, the Hearapy app developed by Samsung, helps reduce motion sickness, ensuring a more serene travel experience.

And because departures are often fast-paced, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Super Fast Charging 3.0 allows you to charge up to 75% battery in just 30 minutes^[3] – perfect for leaving without constraints.

Exploration: Capture Memorable Moments Without Compromise

Once you arrive at your destination, the pace changes. A seaside stroll at sunset, a bike ride down a country path, or wandering through a bustling alleyway: every moment deserves to be captured and remembered. Whether it’s the architectural detail of an impressive building or a breathtaking landscape, users can rely on the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s telephoto lens (50MP) and Wide Angle sensor (200MP) to capture every detail with precision.

With Super Steady mode^[4], which includes horizon lock, the Galaxy S26 Ultra guarantees smooth, perfectly framed videos – even while moving. It’s the perfect tool for filming a bike descent or an impromptu hike without losing quality. For creators, the Professional Video Codec (APV) ensures optimized compression without loss of quality, even after multiple edits – ideal for turning memories into polished content directly from your smartphone.

The Return: Lingering Memories

On the trip home, amidst nostalgic thoughts, you’re already scrolling through your photos. With the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Photo Assist^[5], shots are enhanced in seconds. Whether it’s removing passers-by in the background or turning a cloudy sky blue, simply tell the Galaxy S26 what you want in the perfect shot.

For video side, the Audio Eraser^[6] feature allows you to remove distracting background noise to keep only the essentials: the sound of waves, a burst of laughter, or the atmosphere of a local market. Content can then be shared instantly via Quick Share, which is now compatible with AirDrop^[7], making exchanges easy regardless of the ecosystem.

To prolong the break, the Galaxy Buds4 Pro offer a fully personalized listening experience. Their Intelligent Noise Cancellation 2.0 and Intelligent Equalizer 2.0 analyze the shape of the ear and how the earbuds are worn in real-time to optimize sound output. The result: a tailor-made immersion, reinforced by high-performance active noise cancellation, ideal for gently disconnecting and stretching out those weekend playlists a little longer.

[1] SAR S26 Ultra: Head: 1.284 W/kg / Torso: 1.352 W/kg / Limbs: 2.13 W/kg | Find energy labels on Samsung.com.

[2] Ultra-high quality audio can be enabled if users activate the “Ultra High Quality (UHQ) Audio” option in Settings > Buds4 Pro > Sound quality and effects > Advanced quality options.

[3] Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among battery samples tested under the IEC 61960 standard. Rated capacity is 4,855 mAh for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

[4] Super Steady mode results may vary depending on the editing method and shooting conditions.

[5] Photo Assist may require a network connection and a Samsung account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, or device model. Photo Assist may result in photo resizing. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image upon saving to indicate that it was generated by AI. The accuracy and reliability of the generated result are not guaranteed.

[6] The Audio Eraser function reduces noise in media files playing via the quick panel for select applications on the Galaxy S26 range. Support level depends on the model and OS version. Results may vary from video to video. A Samsung account login is required. Certain sounds like voices and music may be detected; accuracy is not guaranteed.

[7] The “Share with Apple devices” feature is enabled by default.

As part of the global team-up, the Galaxy S26 Ultra shined during its red-carpet moment at the global premiere for The Devil Wears Prada 2 World Premiere. In an activation that would leave even Miranda Priestly proud, Galaxy S26 Ultra was used to capture the stunning red carpet looks of attendees, making it the first-ever Runway Cam #withGalaxy that delivered jaw dropping professional-grade footage with a cinematic, social post-ready feel.

Stars like Heidi Klum, Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner, Helen Shen, and Winnie Harlow posed for the S26 Ultra photo-op to capture their memorable looks as seen below.

S26 Ultra user and influencer Haley Kalil (@hayleebaylee) participated in the photo experience.

“I absolutely love The Devil Wears Prada and as a Team Galaxy member, I just love my Galaxy S26 Ultra,” said Haley. “Seeing those worlds collide here on the red carpet and sharing all my favorite Galaxy S26 series features with a community who also loves this movie has just been the best experience.”

Haley also took to social media to showcase how she used her Galaxy S26 Ultra features such as Circle to Search with Google to get ready for the premiere.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by H A L E Y B A Y L E E (@haleyybaylee)

“At Samsung, we believe great technology should feel as intuitive as great style. With Galaxy S26, we’re bringing that to life — merging fashion, film, and innovative tech to deliver an experience that’s instant, intelligent, and unmistakably powerful. Through our collaboration with Circle to Search with Google and The Devil Wears Prada 2, we’re not just showing up in culture — we’re shaping how people discover and engage with the world around them,” said Keena Grigsby, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President, Mobile eXperience, Samsung Electronics America.

“For The Devil Wears Prada 2, we wanted to extend the storytelling beyond the screen and into the cultural moments that define fashion today,” said Lylle Breier, EVP, Partnerships, Promotions, Synergy & Events at The Walt Disney Studios. “Collaborating with Samsung allows us to connect audiences to the world of Runway in a modern, immersive way, where innovation, style, and storytelling intersect. From the red carpet to social-first content, this collaboration brings fans closer than ever to the glamour, creativity, and fast-paced energy that make this franchise so iconic.”

Helen Shen selfie with Galaxy S26 Ultra in front of the Runway Cam

Circle to Search with Google on Galaxy S26 Ultra is Runway ready

Samsung and Google partnered on a series of creative spots set in The Devil Wears Prada 2 universe to shine a light on how technology – like Circle to Search with Google on S26 Ultra – is the cheat code for staying calm in high-stakes situations.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Samsung Mobile (@samsungmobile)

Want to see if the Galaxy S26 series is the right fit for you? Visit Samsung.com and get ready for The Devil Wears Prada 2, in theatres May 1.

About The Devil Wears Prada 2

Twenty years after making their iconic turns as Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine in 20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2, the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon that defined a generation. The film is directed by David Frankel, written by Aline Brosh McKenna, produced by Wendy Finerman, and executive produced by Michael Bederman, Karen Rosenfelt and Aline Brosh McKenna.

[1] Circle to Search is a trademark of Google LLC.Google Account login and network connection required Results for illustrative purposes only. Available on select devices and internet connection required. Works on compatible apps and surfaces. Result may vary depending on visual matches. Check responses for accuracy.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has earned a ‘Best Buy’ following rigorous independent lab testing by Which?, reinforcing its position as one of the leading flagship smartphones for UK consumers.

Which?, the UK’s largest independent consumer champion, called the device “the ultimate powerhouse” that “excels in every lab test”, with results highlighting standout performance across key categories such as speed, ease of use and design. The Galaxy S26 Ultra was also named the “fastest and most capable phone we’ve ever tested”, achieving five-star ratings for battery life, display quality and camera performance, and demonstrating strong results across both everyday use and more demanding tasks.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch display, integrated S Pen, long lasting battery and industry-leading Galaxy camera system. A key addition is the new Privacy Display^[1], a world first on mobile designed to help protect on-screen content in public by restricting viewing angles, delivering an enhanced level of security alongside premium performance.

Annika Bizon, Vice President of Product and Marketing, Mobile Experience, Samsung UK & Ireland, said: “Being recognised with a Which? Best Buy for the Galaxy S26 Ultra reflects our commitment to delivering meaningful innovation that improves everyday experiences. The Galaxy S26 Ultra combines powerful performance, intelligent features and thoughtful design to deliver one of our most complete flagship experiences to date.”

[1]Requires manual activation in settings to function. Privacy Display feature is not AI-powered.

This awareness gap is giving rise to a new reality: the “accidental audience”.

Who are the “accidental audience”?

The “accidental audience” is made up of people who look at someone else’s phone screen when out in public. It is not planned, and sometimes not even intentional. Just something that happens when out and about.

The research shows:

• 56% of Europeans have accidentally looked at a stranger’s phone
• 24% admit curiosity has occasionally led them to look
• 49% say they have felt someone else glance at their own screen

How is the accidental audience viewing your phone screen?

These moments are most likely to happen in shared, close-contact environments. Public transport is the most common setting, according to 57% of respondents.

Other everyday scenarios include:

• Waiting in queues (35%)
• Sitting in cafés, bars or restaurants (13%)

In these settings, glances are part of everyday life, and nearby phone screens often fall into view.

What are people actually seeing?

Often, it is more personal than expected. One in three Europeans (33%) says they have seen private content on a stranger’s phone screen.

The most commonly spotted content includes:

• Personal photos or camera roll (38%)
• Video calls showing people’s faces or voices (33%)
• Private messages (29%)
• Social media notifications (27%)
• Online shopping (17%)
• Dating app content (12%)
• Banking or financial details (11%)

For many, these are brief, passing moments – but 27% say they have seen something they felt they were not meant to see, highlighting how easily private content can become public.

How are people protecting their phone screens in public?

As awareness of the “accidental audience” grows, many people are making small changes to how they use their phones in public. The Samsung Electronics research shows that 38% of Europeans have delayed or avoided certain actions on their device when in shared spaces.

Common adjustments include:

• Doing online banking at a different time (62%)
• Holding off entering passcodes (49%)
• Saving personal messages for later (43%)

In the moment:

• 42% stop using their phone
• 28% continue as normal
• 27% of the “accidental audience” look away
• 7% of the “accidental audience” keep looking discreetly

Only 10% would address it directly, suggesting most people accept the people seeing their screen as part of modern life and quietly adapt.

Can smartphones have a built-in privacy display?

As this behaviour becomes more common, smartphone design is evolving to match real-world use. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces a Privacy Display^[2] that reduces visibility from side angles and limits what others can see^[3].

Helping to shift power back towards the user, giving people the opportunity to exercise more control over what is visible and when.

A new normal for smartphone use

In a world where smartphones are used everywhere, small moments of visibility are inevitable.

What is changing is awareness. Europeans are becoming more conscious of who might be watching and adjusting how they use their devices accordingly.

Because these days, when you use your phone in public, you might not be the only one seeing it.

[1] Survey of 11,000 smartphone users (1,000 in each market) across UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium conducted by Censuswide.

[2] Requires manual activation in settings to function. Privacy Display feature is not AI-powered.

[3] When activated, some information may still be visible to others depending on the viewing environment, such as the angle or brightness. Caution is advised when exposing sensitive information.

Sports broadcasting is evolving, bringing fans closer to the experience by moving cameras closer to the action. Samsung is driving this shift with the Galaxy camera system and its ability to operate at broadcast-level performance through the pairing of connectivity and mobility.

Earlier this year, Galaxy flagship device was used to stream Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, where Samsung worked alongside Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to embed Galaxy devices throughout the venue at one of the world’s largest sports stages.

The result was a new layer of visual storytelling, capturing dynamic perspectives that complemented traditional broadcast coverage. These capabilities extended to the Galaxy Unpacked 2026, showcasing its ability to deliver professional-grade video capture and transmission.

Now, Samsung is helping lead this transformation within skateboarding competitions by embedding Galaxy S26 Ultra directly into key course features — including rails, ledges and gaps — across the entire SLS 2026 season, fully scaling the Galaxy POV (point of view) first introduced at the 2026 SLS Sydney stop.

“Mobile innovation is opening new possibilities for how sports are captured and experienced,” said Joshua Cho, Executive Vice President and Head of the Visual Solution Team, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “At Milano Cortina we demonstrated how Galaxy technology can complement traditional broadcast systems. With Street League Skateboarding, we’re bringing that same approach directly into the course with our newest, most advanced device camera, and using mobile POV to capture skateboarding from entirely new perspectives.”

Embedded throughout the course, the devices provide skater-level perspectives, offering angles that traditional broadcast systems often cannot capture. This footage feeds directly into the live production workflow, enabling near-instant replay and offering viewers a fresh visual experience that reflects the intensity of the sport itself.

From speed to the precision of every landing, skateboarding is defined by details that are often lost from a distance. With mobile cameras placed directly inside the course, Samsung is reimagining how the sport is experienced, bringing fans closer to each mid-air movement, board flip and landing. These new perspectives offer deeper insight into technique, timing and control, while strengthening the connection between fans, the sport and the athlete.

Featuring Samsung’s most advanced mobile imaging system to date, Galaxy S26 Ultra is designed to perform in fast-moving, unpredictable environments, much like the athletes themselves. It delivers professional-grade camera performance and high-quality footage across a wide range of shooting conditions with enhanced stabilisation, intelligent processing and the ability to maintain clarity in low-light or high-speed conditions. This allows it to operate alongside conventional cameras while maintaining clarity, stability and detail within spaces traditional broadcast cameras cannot easily access.

The placement of Galaxy S26 Ultra devices follows the rhythm and flow of each run, revealing the style, speed and precision of each trick from within the course itself. Galaxy features also extend the creative possibilities of production. Features such as Super Steady¹ with horizontal lock stabilisation help maintain smooth, level footage even during high-speed motion, while Instant Slow-Mo² with horizontal lock stabilisation help maintain smooth, level footage even during high-speed motion, while Instant Slow-Mo enables detailed replay of tricks as they happen. Together, these capabilities allow production teams to capture skateboarding with greater clarity, stability and proximity — showcasing the precision, style and technical skill behind every movement.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 04: <>during the Samsung and Street League Skateboarding’s Los Angeles Takeover at Ace Mission Studios on April 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Samsung)

“Skateboarding is reaching more people than ever before, especially as the sport continues to grow on the global stage,” said Brett Clarke, Chief Revenue Officer at Thrill Sports, the parent company of Street League Skateboarding. “Collaborations like the one we have with Samsung help us evolve how the sport is shared with fans while staying true to the creativity and culture that define skateboarding.”

The debut of Galaxy S26 Ultra POV integration at the SLS DTLA Takeover signals where sports broadcasting is heading next. As the SLS Championship Tour continues, Samsung will continue exploring how mobile technology can evolve into versatile broadcast tools. Looking ahead to major global sporting events and the road to Los Angeles 2028, this shift suggests a future in which the boundary between smartphone camera and broadcast camera continues to disappear, bringing fans closer to the action.

About Street League Skateboarding

Since its inception in 2010, Street League Skateboarding (SLS) has propelled street skateboarding from a collection of independent standalone events to a renowned global series. As pioneers of street skateboarding’s premium qualification system and competition format, SLS offers an amateur-to-professional pathway and creates thrilling live events across the globe. The SLS Championship Tour is recognized as the world’s premier professional street skateboarding competition. Events take place on custom-built, one-of-a-kind, SLS-certified plazas in major cities around the world, with the best in the sport competing for the highest stakes. For more information, visit StreetLeague.com.

[1] Results may vary depending on editing method and/or shooting conditions

[2] Instant Slow-mo feature is available on Samsung Video Player and Samsung Gallery. May not be available on certain video file types. Accuracy of results not guaranteed.

Samsung Newsroom explored how Galaxy S26 Ultra’s AI features enhance travel moments while testing them on location in the city.

[Photo Assist]

Restore and Refine With a Single Prompt

When traveling, it’s easy to reach for the fork before snapping a photo. At a café in San Francisco, a cake had already been partially eaten — but with Galaxy S26 Ultra, even that missed moment was easily resolved.

By simply typing, “Make it look uneaten,” Photo Assist^[1] restored the cake to its original form.

▲ Before-and-after comparison of a partially eaten cake edited using Photo Assist

Re-Imagine Any Scene After the Shot

Capturing the perfect shot while traveling isn’t always easy. Moments when the scenery, subject and timing align are rare.

Using Photo Assist, a photo of San Francisco’s streets was combined with an image of a passing tram, creating a seamless result — as if taken in a single moment.

▲ Before-and-after comparison of a street scene combined with a tram using Photo Assist

Another notable feature is the ability to change the time of day. After uploading a daytime photo of San Francisco’s harbor and entering prompts such as “Make it look like sunset” or “Turn it into a night scene,” Galaxy AI adjusted the sky and lighting to recreate the scene at a different time of day.

▲ Before-and-after comparison of a daytime harbor scene transformed into sunset and nighttime scenes using Photo Assist

[Creative Studio]

Turn Photos Into Artistic Creations

After capturing a scene of sea lions at Pier 39 — one of San Francisco’s iconic landmarks — the photo was imported into Creative Studio. Selecting the Oil painting style, Galaxy AI^[2] analysed the image’s texture and colors, transforming it into an oil painting-style image.

▲ Before-and-after comparison of a sea lion scene at Pier 39 rendered in an oil painting style using Creative Studio

The result is re-imagined with a different aesthetic, making it feel like an entirely new piece.

Creative Studio^[3] on Galaxy S26 Ultra transforms travel photos into a range of styles, helping users preserve memories through fresh perspectives.

▲ Oil painting-style image of a San Francisco scene generated using Creative Studio

Create Custom Stickers With Ease

Custom stickers were also created using a photo of sea lions. After launching Creative Studio, selecting an image and choosing a style, tapping “Generate” produced a character sticker that captured the sea lions’ distinctive features.

Users can generate images repeatedly until they achieve the desired result, then choose from seven themes — such as “A slice of Life,” “School days” or “Today’s vibe” — to save the sticker as a themed set.

▲ Sea lion stickers designed using Creative Studio

These stickers can be used not only to decorate photos, but also across text-based apps including messaging and notes.

With Creative Studio, users can transform everyday photos into personalised content, sharing memories in new ways — whether among friends and family or on social media.

Capturing moments in San Francisco with Galaxy S26 Ultra and enhancing them with Galaxy AI made travel memories richer than ever. From shooting and editing to sharing, the entire process comes together seamlessly in a single device.

[1] Requires network connection and Samsung account login. A visible watermark is overlaid on the saved image to indicate it was generated by Galaxy AI. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.

[2] Samsung account login and network connection required. Galaxy AI features are provided for free. Future releases may include additional advanced features that are offered as part of a paid subscription plan. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties.

[3] Requires network connection and Samsung account login. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.

As millions of Brits get ready to enjoy the Easter weekend, new research from Samsung finds the UK’s public spaces have become shared screens, exposing a stream of private content from personal photos to bank details.

Over half (57%) of Brits have admitted they have unintentionally looked at a stranger’s phone in public, while a further 26% admit curiosity has got the better of them, citing public transport as the most likely place to notice someone else’s screen (61%).

Samsung Electronics surveyed 1,000 Brits^[2] to support the launch of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which introduces a world-first built-in Privacy Display on mobile. This new hardware-based technology keeps screen content visible only from the front to protect privacy from side angles, without compromising the viewing experience^[3].

With nearly half (61%) confident they can keep their phone use private in crowded places, the majority (59%) say it’s easy to view someone else’s screen in public, revealing a growing privacy perception gap. Despite more than a quarter (28%) ignoring or looking away immediately (27%), 7% admit to continuing to look discreetly.

From messages to money: what is at stake

Nearly half (49%) have felt someone was looking at their phone screen in public, but only 12% agree using a smartphone in public is a private activity. Consumers may know this risk already, but these new findings indicate that visible information is often unexpectedly personal.

And it’s not just harmless scrolling that’s on display – over one-third (40%) of Brits say they have seen personal content on a stranger’s phone in public – with 34% agreeing they have seen something they felt they should not have seen.

The most commonly spotted content includes:

• Personal Photos / camera roll – 37%
• Face or voice of someone on a video call – 33%
• Personal messages (e.g., from a partner/spouse) – 32%
• Social media notifications/profiles – 41%
• Online shopping – 20%
• Dating app notifications/profiles – 17%
• Banking balance or account details – 16%

These instances are rarely intentional, but they highlight just how easily sensitive information can be exposed everyday situations. Public transport remains the most common setting for these encounters (61%), followed by queues in shops and supermarkets (36%), and social spaces such as bars, restaurants and cafés (14%).

A growing shift towards protecting personal information

As awareness of screen visibility grows, Brits are beginning to change how, and when, they use their phones in public.

Over a third (38%) say they have avoided or delayed doing something on their phone in public because someone might see their screen. This rises significantly for more sensitive actions, with 65% avoiding banking, and over half delaying entering passcodes (52%) or reading private messages (52%).

When it comes to reacting in the moment,  nearly half (47%) of people report stopping using their phone altogether, while only 10% would take action and confront the person.

These changes reflect a wider shift in how people think about privacy, not just as something managed through device settings, but as something influenced by their surroundings.

Designing for privacy in public

With Privacy Display on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, people have a new tool to protect their information alongside these sensible habits to keep their information private. Privacy has long been a focus for Samsung, and Privacy Display represents the latest step in helping people keep their personal information private in the moments that matter – backed up with seven years of security updates to keep that protection in place over time.

Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Europe, stated: “Your phone is one of the most personal things you own, housing your photos, your bank details, your messages and more. I use public transport almost every day, and the last thing I want is the person next to me seeing what’s on my screen. That’s why we built the Privacy Display into the Galaxy S26 Ultra, so what’s on your screen stays yours.”

[1] Requires manual activation in settings to function. Privacy Display feature is not AI-powered.

[2] Survey of 1,000 smartphone users in the UK, conducted by Censuswide.

[3] When activated, some information may still be visible to others depending on the viewing environment, such as the angle or brightness. Caution is advised when exposing sensitive information.