Why Samsung would be wrong to make this feature a Galaxy S26 Ultra exclusive

After several leaks, Samsung has confirmed that a new display technology, described as “a new layer of privacy,” is coming soon. The company didn’t name the device, but expectations point squarely at the Galaxy S26 Ultra as the first phone to get it. It may also be the only one, and that’s a problem.

I won't be shocked if Samsung keeps the privacy display tech exclusive to the S26 Ultra as a marquee feature. That playbook isn’t new. But this feels different, and I think Samsung would be wrong to gatekeep this technology. Here's why.

Unlike most yearly upgrades or quality-of-life additions, the new privacy display, Flex Magic Pixel, is a security feature. Not a productivity trick. Not a visual flex. But a privacy and security layer.

Part of Samsung's modern identity is built around security. The company gave us Knox, Knox Matrix, Knox Vault, industry-leading firmware and security patch support, as well as post-quantum cryptography and the Personal Data Engine across the Galaxy S25 series.

Samsung is a company that consistently positions security as a core value rather than a premium extra.

And that's also how Samsung framed the privacy display: As a security and privacy feature rather than just a cool display innovation. “There is no privacy without strong security,” Samsung says. And yet this display feature may end up exclusive to the most expensive slab-style Galaxy phone.

I understand the Ultra-first strategy. Even if I still think the Plus should evolve into a smaller Ultra, feature exclusivity isn’t new. But this crosses into different territory. A privacy display is something every Galaxy S26 user, not just the top-tier buyers, should benefit from.

If the Ultra alone gets it, Samsung is effectively putting a price tag on privacy and security. And while security features like post-quantum cryptography and the Personal Data Engine already sit behind a premium wall, at least they are available across the entire flagship phone portfolio rather than a single phone model.

Of course, nothing is confirmed yet, even though most rumors predict the worst scenario. Until the Galaxy S26 series goes official, I suppose anything is possible. I just hope that Samsung will apply the privacy display to the entire Galaxy S26 series rather than just the Ultra variant. Otherwise, Samsung risks taking its security-first narrative one step too far in the wrong direction.