The upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup could deliver a significant screen upgrade for users, as reports suggest Samsung intends to implement its own M14 OLED panels—technology it has long provided to Apple but never used in its own flagship phones.
The M14 display first appeared in Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro series and continues to be used in the iPhone 17 Pro. Despite developing the technology, Samsung has until now reserved it for external clients rather than its Galaxy devices. That looks set to change with the S26 family, beginning with the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
According to industry sources, the Ultra model will feature the slimmer and more efficient M14 panel, while the Galaxy S26 Pro and S26 Edge will retain the M13 technology found in the S25 series.
The M14 panel stands out because it replaces the traditional polarizer layer with a specialized cover layer designed to reduce reflections—a method called COE (Color on Encapsulation). This design makes the display thinner, boosts efficiency, and lessens the need for multiple layers. While the upgrade may seem incremental, it could allow Samsung to trim down the device’s size and power demands compared to M13-based displays.
Samsung already applies COE technology in its foldable phones, but adapting it for the Galaxy S26 Ultra would mark its debut in a mainstream bar-style smartphone. Reports also suggest that Samsung aims to showcase this innovation before Apple introduces similar technology, which is expected in the iPhone 19 around 2027 to coincide with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary.
By moving first, Samsung hopes to highlight its ability to adopt advanced display technology ahead of its biggest rival.
thetechtrident.com 