Galaxy S26 Ultra dummy units | Image Credit - Steve H.McFly
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will have a 10-bit screen, according to reliable leaker Ice Universe, who is "100%" confident in the accuracy of the intel.
A major step up
The Galaxy S26 Ultra might have a true 10-bit panel.
Most smartphones, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra, sport an 8-bit screen. A display's bit depth determines the number of colors it can produce. An 8-bit screen can only show 16.7 million colors, whereas a 10-bit display can render a staggering 1.07 billion colors.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will seemingly have a native 10-bit screen, meaning it won't use Frame Rate Control (FRC) like its predecessors to try to show 1.07 billion colors. The FRC tech flashes different 8-bit colors in succession to simulate 10-bit color depth.
Needless to say, 8-bit with FRC is inferior to pure 10-bit displays, as it cannot accurately replicate the color depth of a 10-bit display. The tech alternates colors at a high speed, which can produce artifacts and contribute to eye strain.
About time
While native 10-bit screens are rare on smartphones, it was reasonable to expect one on the $1,300 Galaxy S25 Ultra.
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The Oppo Find X3, Honor Magic 7, and OnePlus 15 are among the few phones with a true 10-bit screen. You'd be forgiven for thinking there were more, considering many devices are touted as 10-bit, even though their screens merely mimic 10-bit performance.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is also rumored to use the M14 screen material, a step up from the M13 panel on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The new phone's screen is shaping up to be one of its highlights.
Are you excited about a 10-bit display for the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Improvements that matter
Since core specs usually hog the limelight, it's easy to disregard secondary specs that define the user experience. While size and refresh rate may seem like the only display specs that matter, other characteristics can equally influence the component you stare at all day.
Looking at the rumored improvements, it looks like the Galaxy S26 Ultra will have the most full-featured display of all smartphones.
The Galaxy S26 line is expected to be announced on February 25 and go on sale on March 11.
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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