Just days before the official unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, a major leak has surfaced, offering a detailed preview of the flagship device.
YouTuber Sahil Karoul claimed on X that he purchased a retail unit of the Galaxy S26 Ultra in Dubai ahead of launch, reportedly paying $3,300 for early access. While this is unlikely to reflect the final retail price, the early hands-on has revealed several key details about the upcoming device.
Familiar Design, New Privacy Feature
Images shared online show packaging that closely resembles last year’s model, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The leaked photos also compare the new device alongside the rumored iPhone 17 Pro Max, highlighting Samsung’s continued competition in the premium smartphone segment.
One standout feature shown in a video is “Privacy Display.” Samsung has reportedly introduced this feature to reduce screen visibility from side angles. Demonstrations show the display becoming noticeably darker when viewed from the side, helping protect on-screen content from prying eyes.
There also appears to be a “Maximum Privacy Protection” mode, though its full functionality has not been thoroughly demonstrated in the leaked footage.
S Pen Still Lacks Bluetooth
Another notable confirmation from the leak is that the S Pen will not support Bluetooth connectivity. Samsung removed Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen starting with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and that decision appears unchanged for the S26 Ultra.
In one video, the YouTuber attempted to use the S Pen button to trigger the camera shutter — a feature previously available — but it did not respond. This suggests the S Pen once again lacks Bluetooth features, which may disappoint users who valued remote camera controls and gesture functions.
Camera Samples Show Minor Changes
Sample photos taken with the Galaxy S26 Ultra were also shared, though they did not indicate any dramatic improvements in image quality compared to previous models.
With the official launch event scheduled for February 25, this leak has already revealed much of what Samsung planned to showcase. However, full specifications, pricing, and additional features will be confirmed at the official announcement.
