We all know Samsung has a bit of a thing for copying Apple’s moves, right?
But with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, I seriously hope they stay away from one specific thing — the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Let me explain why.
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The AI Privacy Display — Bigger Than Expected
One of the biggest new features coming to the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the AI Privacy Display, and now we’ve got a proper look at how it works — and honestly, it’s way more impressive than I thought.
There’s a new Auto Privacy toggle in settings that can automatically turn on the feature when you’re in public places — like elevators, metros, or cafés.
You can even set it to activate only under certain conditions, like when you open your banking app or type your lock screen PIN.
Here’s the cool part — you can choose which parts of the screen stay visible and which get blurred.
So, for example, your notifications, pop-ups, or gallery images with sensitive info can be hidden automatically. Even your lock screen fields get the same privacy treatment.
And if you really want to go all-in, there’s a “Maximum Privacy” mode that darkens the screen even more from side angles — so only you can see what’s on it.
All of this is powered by Flex Magic Pixel technology, which tweaks pixels in real time using AI. If you’re not looking straight at the display — it’s unreadable.
Now, will older Samsung phones get this feature? Probably not.
It needs that special Flex Magic Pixel display, so this might just be exclusive to the S26 Ultra. Even the regular S26 models could miss out.
New Privacy Tools in One UI 8.5
Samsung is also adding a new tool called Privacy Protection.
This automatically blurs or removes sensitive information from images before you share them.
So if you’re sending a passport or driver’s license photo, you can blank out private info with one tap.
And the best part? This feature isn’t exclusive — it’ll be part of One UI 8.5, so every Samsung device that gets the update will have it.
Same 12MP Selfie Camera — No Upgrade Yet
Here’s the slightly disappointing part: the S26 lineup — including the Ultra — will use the same 12MP selfie sensor we’ve seen since the S23.
Meanwhile, Apple and Google have made noticeable upgrades, with Apple’s square sensor on the iPhone 17 delivering sharper results.
So yeah, a bit frustrating to see Samsung stick with old camera hardware here.
M14 Display Panel — Exclusive to the Ultra
The S26 Ultra will feature Samsung’s new M14 display panel, promising better brightness, efficiency, and color accuracy.
However, the non-Ultra models will still use the older M13 panels — meaning they’ll miss out on both the AI Privacy Display and the visual upgrades that come with M14 and COE tech.
Now, About the iPhone 17 Pro Max… Let’s Talk “ScratchGate”
You’ve probably already seen it — users posting pictures of their brand-new iPhone 17 Pros covered in scratches, dents, and chips.
Even demo units in Apple Stores are showing visible wear.
And it’s not because people are being careless — just placing the phone on a table or using MagSafe can cause marks.
A lot of users are also noticing scratches and chips around the camera bump.
Here’s why: Apple ditched titanium this year and went with a full aluminum body.
The issue lies in the anodized coating on that aluminum — it’s not holding up well.
The coating wears off quickly, especially around the sharp edges of the camera bump.
And Apple’s response? They call it “material transfer” and say it can be wiped off.
Yeah… sounds a lot like AntennaGate all over again. But these scratches and chips are real, and they’re happening even without MagSafe.
Samsung, Please Don’t Copy This
Apple claims they switched to aluminum for better heat management, but in reality, the improvement mostly comes from the vapor chamber cooling system, not the frame material itself.
Luckily, all current leaks point to titanium staying on the S26 Ultra — and that’s a very good thing.
Titanium is tougher, more scratch-resistant, and feels a lot more “Ultra” than aluminum.
So, Samsung — if you’re watching, please don’t get any ideas.
Stick with titanium, keep that durability, and let Apple handle the “premium scratch experience.”
Because the last thing we need is ScratchGate 2.0 — Galaxy Edition.
Final Thoughts
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be one of the most exciting flagships in years — with its AI Privacy Display, new Privacy Protection tools, and M14 panel.
But at the same time, Samsung needs to stay smart and avoid copying Apple’s mistakes.
If they stick with titanium and continue innovating on privacy and display tech, the S26 Ultra could easily be the flagship to beat in 2025.
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