Galaxy S26 Ultra screens are turning red

Samsung says it is internally investigating reports that some Galaxy S26 Ultra displays are developing a reddish tint or even a pink rectangle in the center of the screen.

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Discussion of the issue has been circulating on social media for months. According to the source, some claims go back to March, shortly after the phone launched, while more recent posts say the discoloration appeared gradually after several months of use. Some people also say they have spotted the problem on demo models in stores.

Engadget said its own S26 Ultra review unit, tested in the spring, has not shown any color shift. But Samsung has acknowledged that the problem appears to be real. On Monday, the company told Korean outlet Newsway that it is “examining the matter internally to confirm the cause.” Samsung had not provided additional comment at the time of publication.

One possible factor is Privacy Display, a feature unique to the Galaxy S26 Ultra among Samsung phones currently on sale. Engadget previously praised the feature for blocking shoulder surfers with little visible impact for the user. At the same time, some buyers reportedly returned their devices after experiencing eye strain, headaches, nausea, and dizziness while using the phone.

Other explanations remain possible, including some form of burn-in or another environmental cause. For now, Samsung says it is still trying to determine exactly what is behind the red-tint defect.

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