The Galaxy S26 may not have a significant improvement in peak brightness.
New year, but the same old brightness.
A display update indicates that the Galaxy S26 series, including the S26 Ultra, will maintain a peak brightness of 2600 nits. This is according to PhoneArt, who posted about it on X, and it would mean the brightness has remained consistent for a few years.
If accurate, the S26 series would have the same peak brightness as the S25 and S24. Some competitors offer higher brightness levels; the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 reach 3000 nits, the Xiaomi 17 hits 3500 nits, and the Vivo X300 achieves 4500 nits.
While the adoption of the M14 material seems likely, 10-bit color depth and high-frequency PWM dimming are unconfirmed. The M14 panel typically includes 2160Hz PWM, which the S26 series should match, unless Samsung modifies it.
The 2600-nit brightness is adequate, with few complaints about outdoor visibility on the S25. The Corning Gorilla Glass Armor, with its anti-reflective properties, contributes to this. The S26 series will likely feature the same or an improved version of this glass.
Despite the unchanged peak brightness, the M14 LED panel should improve battery life due to its lower power consumption. The Galaxy S26 Ultra may also feature new AI-driven privacy display technology that dims the screen to prevent others from viewing it.
Faster wireless charging is anticipated for the base S26 and S26+ models. These enhancements may make the Samsung S26 series worth anticipating.
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