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.

Samsung Newsroom experienced the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera firsthand after Galaxy Unpacked 2026 in San Francisco, showcasing the city’s diverse scenery and unique atmosphere.

Sharp Detail at Any Distance

Pier 39, one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks, offers sweeping ocean views. With Galaxy S26 Ultra, even Alcatraz Island across the bay — typically seen clearly only up close by boat — appears crisp and detailed.

▲ (From top to bottom) Photo taken with Galaxy S26 Ultra and a cropped zoom of Alcatraz Island from above

Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 200MP wide-angle camera and a 50MP telephoto camera with 10x optical quality zoom. The 200MP camera delivers exceptional detail, especially when images are enlarged. The wider F1.4 aperture captures more light than its predecessor, producing richer textures and finer detail.¹ Even when zooming in or cropping, details remain sharp.

The camera also excels at video recording. When filming the sea lions at Pier 39 in 8K, even distant landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge remain clear and detailed when zoomed in.

▲ Video recorded with Galaxy S26 Ultra

Stable Video in Motion

Galaxy S26 Ultra is the first Galaxy device to support the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, a professional-grade format that preserves detail even after multiple edits.

When filming in crowded areas or on the move, Super Steady² keeps footage stable. The new horizontal lock option maintains a level frame in motion-heavy situations.

▲ Galaxy S26 Ultra records video while panning side to side.

To test the feature, Galaxy S26 Ultra was panned side to side at a nearby theme park. With the horizontal lock option on, the footage maintains a stable horizon. Compared with footage shot under the same conditions with the feature off, the difference is clear.

▲ Comparison of video recorded with Super Steady’s horizontal lock option on and off

With Galaxy S26 Ultra, users can record stable video without camera shake — from travel vlogs to activities like running or cycling.

Clear, Vivid Nights

As the sun sets, San Francisco’s streets take on a different atmosphere. With Galaxy S26 Ultra’s enhanced Nightography, the city’s iconic cable cars appear in motion at night.

▲ Galaxy S26 Ultra films the San Francisco’s night streets using Nightography.

A wider aperture and improved ProVisual Engine reduce noise in low light while preserving the mood of nighttime scenes. Moving cable cars and the night sky appear natural, reflecting the city’s after-dark atmosphere. Its nighttime charm — different from its daytime appeal — is rendered in vivid detail.

▲ Galaxy S26 Ultra films the San Francisco’s night streets using Nightography.

From the ocean and lively streets to the city at night, Galaxy S26 Ultra showcases San Francisco in stunning detail, creating vivid, lasting travel memories.

In part two of this series, Samsung Newsroom will explore the AI features of Galaxy S26 Ultra that extend the experience beyond capture to make everyday moments even more meaningful.

▲ Video of San Francisco shot with Galaxy S26 Ultra

[1] 47% more light on 200MP Wide camera and 37% on 50MP Telephoto (5x Optical Zoom) camera on Galaxy S26 Ultra. Brightness improvements shown are compared to Galaxy S25 Ultra

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

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced a global partnership with ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG,’’ unveiling a new concert experience powered by Galaxy mobile technology that brings artists and the audience closer together.

BTS and ARMY have built a cultural movement that brings everyone together to celebrate self-expression and connection through music. This resulted in a global impact that fosters authentic shared experiences — values that resonate deeply with Samsung’s Galaxy brand philosophy. By harnessing the power of music and technology, Samsung and the ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’’ are empowering people to capture special moments and share them with the world.

“Samsung believes that technology enriches everyday experiences,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP and Head of the Mobile Marketing Center, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “Through this collaboration, Galaxy will serve as a bridge connecting artists and the audience, enabling people to experience concert moments more meaningfully and preserve and share those memories for longer.”

Building on Galaxy’s vision of meaningful, connected experiences, Samsung is reimagining the traditional concert viewing experience by enabling the audience to emotionally engage with artists and their performances in more immersive ways.

In particular, the Galaxy S26 Ultra camera captures memorable moments from live performances, allowing the audience around the world to relive and share the experience, bringing the energy and emotion of the concert into their everyday lives.

“Fans are at the heart of everything we do, shaping our music and journey together with us,” said Lee Jae-sang, CEO of HYBE. “Through this partnership with Samsung Electronics, we hope fans can experience concerts more vividly and create lasting memories.”

‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’’ will begin in Goyang, South Korea, and continue in major cities around the world through 2027. As part of the world tour, an exclusive BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL is taking place in Seoul from March 20 to April 19, including a range of Galaxy-powered immersive experiences to major landmarks across the city.

Fans can explore the Galaxy S26 series through interactive activities, including a stamp rally at Samsung’s Gangnam store and creating self-made stickers using the Galaxy AI-powered Creative Studio. Participants who complete the activities are eligible to receive prizes, including limited-edition ‘BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL’ merchandise.

Following Seoul, ‘BTS THE CITY’ will expand to other tour stops. Samsung will take part in the entire ’BTS THE CITY’ journey, driving innovation that encourages fans to express themselves, capture meaningful moments and expand everyday experiences with Galaxy.

Britain’s most meaningful nights are too often fading into a blur of pixels. From first dances at weddings to bucket-list festival headliners, new research finds low-light camera struggles are preventing people from capturing moments that matter most.

Now, the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is redefining what’s possible after dark – setting a new benchmark for night photography on smartphones.

Powered by intuitive Galaxy AI and powerful hardware upgrades, Galaxy S26 Ultra has been engineered to ensure that life’s best memories shine – no matter the lighting.

Britain: A ‘Grainy Nation’ After Dark

New research commissioned by Samsung reveals widespread frustration with nighttime photography and video:

• 96% of Brits admit they’ve given up trying to take photos at night altogether because their device wasn’t up to the job.
• 62% say they feel frustrated with the quality of pictures captured after dark.
• 36% say their phone’s camera quality is the biggest barrier preventing them from taking photos at night as often as they’d like.
• 40% report being unable to capture a meaningful moment – such as a wedding, concert or celebration – because their phone didn’t perform in low light.
• Nearly 8 in 10 wish taking photos at night was as easy as taking them during the day.

Sunsets, concerts and indoor gatherings top the list of the nation’s most disappointing snaps. Live music fans cite motion blur, low brightness, grain and poor zoom quality as the biggest culprits.

In short, the nation is ready for a solution.

Galaxy S26 Ultra: Engineered for Britain’s Brightest Nights

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra marks another leap forward in mobile photography. Combining advanced AI processing with powerful hardware, it enables effortless capture and editing of high-quality content – no expertise required.

Pro-Level Camera Hardware

At the heart of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is a next-generation camera system:

• 200MP wide-angle camera for exceptional detail
• 50MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom
• 10x optical-quality zoom for sharp results at distance
• Wider apertures^[1] for enhanced low-light clarity

Whether capturing candlelight at a wedding reception or filming your favourite artist from the back row, Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers sharpness and brightness in challenging conditions.

What Makes Galaxy S26 Ultra So Good at Night Photography?

Upgraded Nightography Video^[2]

Samsung’s Enhanced Nightography technology ensures that even in extremely dim environments, images remain vivid and detailed.

Low light no longer means low quality.

AI-Powered Image Signal Processing (AI ISP)^[3]

The upgraded AI ISP^[4]— now extended to the front camera — intelligently reduces noise, enhances detail and preserves natural skin tones.

This means:

• Fine detail captured, from individual hair strands to subtle facial features
• Balanced brightness without harsh overexposure
• Capturing more natural skin tones and finer detail in mixed lighting.

The result is natural-looking night portraits without manual adjustments.

Galaxy AI: Smarter Editing, Instantly^[5]

Beyond capture, Galaxy AI simplifies editing. Automatic optimisation enhances brightness, reduces grain and refines clarity – removing the guesswork from low-light photography.

As Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung, explains:

“Life’s best moments don’t wait for perfect lighting. Whether it’s a sunset on holiday, your favourite band playing your song, or a packed dancefloor at a wedding, these are memories people want to relive clearly – not through blur and grain. Brits shouldn’t have to miss out simply because it’s dark.

“That’s why the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has been engineered with advanced low-light photography and intelligent image processing, so capturing incredible detail at night can be as effortless as snapping a photo in broad daylight.”

Why Do Night Photos Usually Look Blurry and Grainy?

One of the most common photography questions is:

“Why are my night photos poor quality?”

Common causes include:

• Limited light entering the sensor
• Slow shutter speeds causing motion blur
• Over-reliance on digital zoom
• Small sensors struggling in dark environments

Galaxy S26 Ultra addresses these issues through wider apertures, advanced stabilisation, optical zoom and AI-powered processing — delivering clearer images in real-world low-light scenarios.

How to Take Better Night Photos with Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is designed to make low-light photography simple. With its powerful camera hardware and intelligent scene detection, capturing detailed photos and videos at night is easier than ever.

1.     Let the camera detect low-light scenes automatically. When the S26 Ultra recognises a dark environment, it adjusts settings to help you capture bright, detailed images with a single tap of the shutter.

2.     Take advantage of the 200MP main camera. Its larger aperture captures 47% more light, helping produce clearer photos with improved detail in dim environments.

3.     Use 5x optical zoom or 10x optical-quality zoom to capture performers or distant subjects while maintaining clarity. The wider aperture also lets in 37%^[6] more-light, making it ideal for concerts and other night scenes.

4.     Tap to focus on your subject before capturing to ensure the camera prioritises the right area of the scene.

With Galaxy S26 Ultra, capturing incredible low-light photos and videos is intuitive – even for first-time users.

Perfect Timing for Festival Season

As the UK heads into a summer of festivals, weddings and evenings out, Galaxy S26 Ultra ensures no moment disappears into darkness.

From golden sunsets to late-night dancefloors, users can capture detailed video and photography without worrying about blur, grain or gloom.

Britain’s most meaningful nights deserve clarity – and now, they have it.

A New Era for Low-Light Photography and Video

With the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung sets a new standard in night photography. By combining advanced camera hardware with intelligent AI processing, the device empowers users to capture life’s brightest memories – even after the sun goes down.

For a nation frustrated by murky memories, the message is simple:

The night has met its match.

[1]47% more light on 200MP Wide camera and 37% on 50MP Telephoto (5x Optical Zoom) camera on Galaxy S26 Ultra. Brightness improvements shown are compared to Galaxy S25 Ultra

[2]Results may vary depending on light condition and/or shooting conditions

[3]Results may vary depending on light condition and/or shooting conditions

[4]Results may vary depending on light condition and/or shooting conditions

[5]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

[6]47% more light on 200MP Wide camera and 37% on 50MP Telephoto (5x Optical Zoom) camera on Galaxy S26 Ultra. Brightness improvements shown are compared to Galaxy S25 Ultra.

What is Privacy Display?

Privacy Display on Galaxy S26 Ultra is a new kind of personal protection built-into the device that allows you to adjust the visibility of content on your screen. When enabled, visuals are clear for the user while limiting what others can see when looking at the screen from the side — perfect when you’re traveling or in other public places.

Unlike aftermarket stick-on privacy screen covers, the Privacy Display on Galaxy S26 Ultra offers protection without compromising the viewing experience during everyday use.

How does Privacy Display work?

Integrated directly into the display hardware, Privacy Display on Galaxy S26 Ultra controls how the screen’s pixels disperse light, limiting the visibility from side angles when turned on, while preserving the full display experience from any direction when it’s off. This hardware-first approach delivers a clearer and more consistent experience than a traditional privacy screen protector which permanently reduces brightness and clarity and can degrade touch responsiveness.

It’s also customisable. You can decide when it turns on, like when entering sensitive password information, or even limit visibility for specific types of content like popup notifications — it all comes down to user choice.

How to Use Privacy Display on Galaxy S26 Ultra

For step-by-step instructions to turn on Privacy Display, watch here:

Check out Try Galaxy to test out some of the latest Galaxy features, including Privacy Display, on the device you’re holding right now.

Learn more about Galaxy S26 Ultra and all the latest Galaxy devices on: https://www.samsung.com/uk/

[1] World’s first privacy display on a mobile phone. Must be enabled in settings. Privacy Display feature controls the screen’s viewing range to limit peripheral vision. Some changes in image quality may occur outside the viewing range. When activated, some information may still be visible to others depending on the viewing environment, such as angle or brightness. Caution is advised when exposing sensitive information.

Samsung developed its Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. as an open standard for professional video creation so the technology could be available to as many users as possible.

It took years of close collaboration between the two companies to make APV a reality on the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy¹ chipset that powers Galaxy S26 Ultra. APV is the latest example of Samsung’s commitment to put the user experience first by collaborating with other industry leaders.

What is Samsung’s Advanced Professional Video (APV) Codec on Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Galaxy S26 Ultra is the first Galaxy device to support APV, enabling higher-quality video files that use your device storage more efficiently. For anyone who wants pro-level quality without sacrificing the convenience and portability of shooting video on mobile, APV on Galaxy S26 Ultra is a game changer.

Codecs compress and decompress video files for storage and sharing. With an HEVC codec, the system often removes very small visual details to reduce file size. As a result, fine elements like water droplets, splashes, or subtle textures in the image become blurred after rounds of encoding.

APV preserves more of the original information, which helps maintain delicate details such as water droplets, textures, and motion — noted by the clarity of the splash in the image despite multiple rounds of encoding. APV codecs achieve visually lossless quality even when subjected to repeated editing.

Codecs compress and decompress video files for storage and sharing. With an HEVC codec, the system often removes very small visual details to reduce file size. As a result, fine elements like water droplets, splashes, or subtle textures in the image become blurred after rounds of encoding.

APV preserves more of the original information, which helps maintain delicate details such as water droplets, textures, and motion — noted by the clarity of the splash in the image despite multiple rounds of encoding. APV codecs achieve visually lossless quality even when subjected to repeated editing.

How does APV Work?

While other smartphone codecs prioritise small file sizes, they are not built for high-quality editing. APV makes for easier editing and more creative flexibility.

Now you can capture video content on your Galaxy device that behaves like cinematic professional camera footage when it’s time to edit — maintaining video quality even after repeated edits. Supporting up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second, APV uses 10% less storage than other comparable formats while maintaining the same objective visual quality.

How to Enable APV on Galaxy S26 Ultra

1. Navigate to Camera > Settings > Video Format > APV
2. Choose preferred APV control APV HDR or APV Log
3. Select the type of file compression APV 422 HQ (high-quality video) or APOV 422 LQ (optimized for storage capacity and limited data rates)
4. Toggle selected shooting mode on or off in Camera preview
5. Users also have the option to record APV directly to external USB storage, navigate to Camera > Settings > Save to External Storage

Learn more about APV here, and explore the capabilities of Galaxy S26 Ultra and all the latest Galaxy devices on Samsung.com/uk.

Not sure you’re ready to make the switch to Galaxy? Check out Try Galaxy to test out some of the latest features on the device you’re holding right now.

1 Snapdragon branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Samsung Electronics today announced that Galaxy S26 Ultra won Best in Show at the Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO Awards) during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 held in Barcelona, Spain. The Global Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) holds the GLOMO Awards annually during MWC to recognise outstanding innovations in the mobile industry.

The Best in Show category celebrates consumer-focused products that set a benchmark for technology. One of the industry’s highest honours, Best in Show devices are known as the “gold standard” across the digital landscape as judged by more than 200 world-leading independent analysts, journalists and industry veterans.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Best in Show

At the March 4 awards ceremony, Galaxy S26 Ultra won Best in Show for its seamless blend of advanced hardware and intuitive, proactive One UI 8.5 software. Galaxy AI^[1] delivers adaptive, context-aware intelligence that simplifies everyday tasks while safeguarding security and privacy. Together, these advancements bring to life the most intuitive mobile AI designed to anticipate users’ needs.

Galaxy S26 Ultra also introduced the world’s first built-in Privacy Display^[2] for mobile phones, a breakthrough in display engineering, that gives users a more private but vibrant viewing experience. Inside, a customised chipset powers faster Galaxy AI, setting a new standard for effortless mobile experiences on Galaxy S26 Ultra.

“This year’s competition was exceptionally strong,” said Shaun Collins, Chair of the Judges for MWC Best in Show 2026. “We look for technology that is not only innovative and compelling, but that genuinely moves the industry forward. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra stood out for pushing the boundaries of mobile technology while delivering meaningful, real-world impact. In particular, its privacy innovation addresses one of the most important needs of today’s digital lifestyle — security, personal space and trust.”

The MWC Best in Show judging panel said that among more than 3,000 exhibitors, the Galaxy S26 Ultra stood out for making forward-looking innovation possible now. “While many technologies showcased at MWC highlight the future,” the panel said, “this is a product consumers can experience today.”

“We are honored that the Galaxy S26 Ultra has been recognised as ‘Best in Show’ at this year’s GLOMO Awards,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP and Head of Mobile Marketing Center, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “The Galaxy S26 Ultra is an agentic AI phone that signifies Samsung’s ongoing commitment to push our industry forward, and this distinction is especially meaningful given the extraordinary innovation showcased at MWC.”

For more information about the Galaxy S26 Ultra, please visit: Samsungmobilepress.com and Samsung.com.

[1] 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

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