S26 ultra shocks: samsung’s display still dominates color accuracy tests

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra is making waves, but it’s not just the camera specs turning heads. A fresh round of testing reveals the phone’s display continues to set the benchmark for color accuracy, even with the new Privacy Display enabled – a claim that’s often met with skepticism.

Pixel-perfect? delta e scores reveal stunning detail

PhoneArena’s latest analysis dives deep, utilizing professional-grade calibration equipment to assess the S26 Ultra’s color reproduction across a range of brightness levels. The results? Impressive. Averaging a Delta E of 2.14 at 300 nits, the display consistently outperforms competitors, placing it firmly in the territory of professional-grade color fidelity. That’s a number that translates to near-perfect color representation for the average user – virtually indistinguishable from reality.

But the story doesn't end there. The testing extended to the Privacy Display, Samsung’s controversial feature designed to obscure content from adjacent viewers. Surprisingly, enabling this mode only resulted in a minor increase in Delta E – a 3.07, still comfortably within acceptable limits for most consumers. Pushing the Privacy Display to its maximum setting saw a bump to 5.84, noticeable, but far from a catastrophic shift in color perception.

Anti-reflectivity holds strong

Adding to the positive assessment, the phone’s anti-reflective coating – a feature frequently criticized for diminishing image quality – didn’t negatively impact the S26 Ultra’s color accuracy. Testing revealed a reflectivity rate of just 3.9%, placing it ahead of even the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This suggests a genuinely effective solution to glare, allowing users to enjoy vibrant colors even in challenging lighting conditions.

While the S26 Ultra may be generating buzz for its other innovations, these findings underscore a fundamental strength: a consistently excellent display. It’s a detail that shouldn’t be overlooked, particularly for creative professionals or anyone who demands the highest level of visual fidelity. Samsung continues to demonstrate its mastery of the mobile display landscape – a feat that, frankly, deserves more attention than it typically receives.