Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra has been named to TIME’s Best Inventions 2026, marking the fourth time a Samsung Galaxy device has made the annual list. TIME’s global panel of contributors and editors selects Best Inventions entries on originality, efficacy, ambition and impact, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra joins two other Samsung products on this year’s list: the Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerator with AI Vision and the Odyssey G8 gaming monitor (G80HS).
What Earns the Galaxy S26 Ultra Its Spot
Samsung’s flagship brings what it calls its most advanced Galaxy S series experience yet, built around a refined camera system, premium performance and Galaxy AI features baked into daily use. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is also the first mobile phone with a built-in Privacy Display, limiting the viewing angle at which the screen can be read by anyone beside the user. Super Steady video with horizontal lock and a suite of tools aimed at content creators round out a feature set built for people who shoot as much as they scroll. This builds on the Galaxy AI features Samsung has been rolling out across its wider device lineup, including the Galaxy Tab S12 series.
Family Hub and Odyssey G8 Join the List
TIME’s recognition extends beyond the phone. Samsung’s Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerator received a major software update this year that expanded its AI Vision food-recognition range, along with improved Now Brief and Voice ID features for personalised calendars, reminders and recipes, plus hands-free Auto Open & Close Doors. The 32-inch Odyssey G8 Gaming Monitor (G80HS) is cited as an industry first: a 6K gaming display offering up to 165Hz at full resolution, or up to 330Hz in Dual Mode at 3K, on a 224PPI IPS panel.
A Recurring Spot on TIME’s List
This is the fourth year a Galaxy device has featured on TIME’s Best Inventions list, underlining Samsung’s push to position its flagship hardware as meaningfully different generation over generation rather than incrementally updated. For Samsung, the recognition lands alongside a broader push across its mobile, display and home-appliance divisions to tie AI features directly to daily, practical use rather than treating them as an add-on.
Pricing and availability
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerator and Odyssey G8 Gaming Monitor (G80HS) are all available now through Samsung’s regional retail channels; pricing varies by market and configuration.
Key specifications (Galaxy S26 Ultra)
- World’s first built-in Privacy Display on a mobile phone
- Super Steady video with horizontal lock
- Pro-grade APV codec support for content creators
- Premium camera system with Galaxy AI integration
- Recognised: TIME Best Inventions 2026 (4th Galaxy device to feature)
