Galaxy S26 Ultra was named one of 2026's best inventions by TIME magazine

TIME magazine recently published its list of best inventions for 2026. Every year, the publication selects and recognizes a collection of groundbreaking inventions that, according to them, “have made the world better, smarter, and more fun.”

Although Apple's new CEO, John Ternus, has seemingly secured the front page of TIME's Best Inventions of 2026 thanks to the iPhone Duo, Samsung did make the list thanks to a handful of inventive products. Three, to be precise.

TIME has recognized the Galaxy S26 Ultra for its innovative Privacy Display feature, which has so far remained exclusive to this phone.

Privacy Display acts as a privacy screen protector that limits the screen's viewing angles. More importantly, you can control it through One UI. Galaxy S26 Ultra users can enable Privacy Display across the entire screen or can hide select areas. You control how it behaves.

Security and privacy have become bigger concerns in the digital age. But so far, Samsung is the only smartphone maker actively promoting and developing display technologies that empower users' privacy.

But speaking of innovative phones, unfortunately, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 didn't make the list, even though it resulted from years of hard work and engineering at Samsung's labs, and despite the fact that it went on sale months before the iPhone Duo. Those who know, know.

At the very least, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 was mentioned in passing as the iPhone Duo's closest rival. And interestingly enough, John Ternus and the iPhone Duo are the only reasons Apple made TIME's Best Inventions list this year. No other Apple products were mentioned.

TIME chose this Samsung creation as one of 2026's best inventions because it launched as the industry's first 6K gaming monitor.

The 32-inch Odyssey G8 is equipped with an IPS display, and thanks to the high resolution, the panel features 224PPI (pixels per inch).

Samsung's ultra-crisp gaming monitor also supports a high refresh rate of 165Hz in 6K, and users can switch to a Dual Mode, which enables a refresh rate of up to 330Hz at a 3K resolution.

Innovating a concept that's been around for more than a hundred years, such as the refrigerator, isn't easy. Nevertheless, TIME believes Samsung did it again in 2026 with the launch of its upgraded Bespoke AI Family Hub AI Vision refrigerators.

Samsung's first Bespoke refrigerator with built-in cameras was released in 2024. Back then, the cameras were capable of recognizing some foods, but users had to keep logs manually.

It wasn't until earlier this year that Family Hub with Vision AI refrigerators embraced Google Gemini AI and gained new smart capabilities.

Thanks to Samsung's innovative spirit, Bespoke Family Hub Vision AI refrigerators can now identify more than 2,000 packaged food items and log them automatically, effectively changing the way users interact with and use their fridges.