Samsung consistently praises the brightness and clarity of its displays at every launch event. And for many years, Samsung has positioned its Galaxy Ultra series as the “standard” for all smartphone displays. But behind all this, one shortcoming has always been a sticking point while competing brands were using 10-bit displays, Samsung was still stuck with 8-bit AMOLED panels.
According to recent leaks, however, there’s good news: Samsung is reportedly making a historic change to the display in its upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and this long wait may finally be over.
Galaxy S26 Ultra May Feature a 10-Bit Display Panel
According to reliable tech tipster Ice Universe, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra may come with a 10-bit display panel. If this proves true, it would be a significant leap compared to the current Galaxy S25 Ultra, which Samsung launched with an 8-bit display panel.
The leaker also mentioned a new software feature that could ‘darken’ certain parts of the display to enhance user privacy.
What is the difference between 8-bit and 10-bit displays?
For an average user, this might seem like just a number on a technical spec sheet, but it makes a world of difference in the viewing experience: an 8-bit screen is limited to displaying approximately 16.7 million colors, while a 10-bit screen unlocks a range of over 1 billion colors for users, significantly enhancing the display experience.
What are the benefits?
A 10-bit panel means more accurate and richer color reproduction. The biggest impact will be seen in color gradients. For example, the color transitions in a sunrise photo sometimes appear ‘banded’ or broken on an 8-bit screen, while on a 10-bit screen, it will look completely smooth and natural. Additionally, HDR content will appear more vibrant and lifelike than ever before.
Since most Chinese flagship smartphones have already shifted to 10-bit displays, Samsung’s move seems perfectly timed.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: ‘Privacy Screen’ Feature
Besides display quality, Ice Universe has highlighted another interesting feature of the S26 Ultra: a new ‘Privacy Screen’ feature. This feature may come with ‘Localized Privacy Control‘.
He explained that it will apply privacy protection to a specific part of the screen. Once activated, the content in that area will not be visible from any other angle. Only the user looking directly at the screen will be able to see it. This could be a great feature for use in the metro or crowded places.
Other Specifications (Leaked Specs)
Not just the display, other features of the Galaxy S26 Ultra also make it a powerhouse, as is the case every year. According to reports, the phone is expected to come with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, a 200MP main camera, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens. It may also include a 5,000mAh battery with 60W charging support and Qi2.2 wireless charging.
Launch Date and Availability in india
According to the leaks and reports, the launch date for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series may be set for February 25, 2026. The series is expected to include three smartphones: the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra.
And as we get closer to the launch, more information will be revealed. Stay tuned with us for the latest tech news and updates. If you have any further questions related to this post, please leave a comment.
Final Thoughts
Even if these leaks are true, the display upgrade in the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could prove to be the most significant upgrade yet. The shift from an 8-bit to a 10-bit panel had become a necessity, not a luxury, for Samsung, as Chinese flagship phones had already surpassed them in this regard.
However, the real X-factor of this phone is the ‘Privacy Screen Feature‘. In a world where we use our phones on public transport and in crowded places, having such a privacy feature at the hardware level would be a major innovation.
