At its Galaxy Unpacked on Wednesday, Samsung Electronics made it clear that security is no longer just a supporting feature in smartphones but a core requirement for the next generation of AI-driven mobile experiences.

As the company unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup, executives repeatedly framed a “security-by-design” architecture as essential to enabling so-called agentic AI — systems capable of understanding user context and taking actions across apps on their behalf.

Layered hardware security

At the centre of Samsung’s approach is its upgraded device protection framework, including Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP), which works alongside the hardware-isolated Knox Vault.

The company said this layered setup separates sensitive information such as passwords, biometrics and encryption keys from the main operating environment, reducing exposure even if other parts of the system are compromised.

Samsung also highlighted the introduction of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) for selected system processes, including firmware validation and software updates. The move is aimed at strengthening long-term protection against future cryptographic threats posed by advances in computing power.

Privacy features extend to display technology

Security upgrades were not limited to software and chip-level protections. The Galaxy S26 Ultra also introduces a built-in privacy display designed to limit screen visibility from side angles.

Unlike conventional software filters, the hardware-based implementation adjusts light output at the panel level to reduce what off-axis viewers can see. Users can manually activate the feature or set it to engage automatically for sensitive applications such as banking or private messaging.

Security positioned as enabler for AI automation

Samsung linked these protections directly to its broader push into AI automation, where assistants such as Bixby, Google Gemini and integrations with tools like Perplexity AI are expected to handle tasks ranging from summarising content to navigating apps.

To support this shift, Samsung introduced an on-device Personal Data Engine designed to organise user information locally while keeping datasets compartmentalised. The company said AI processes requiring cloud interaction handle data temporarily and within controlled permissions.

Analysts note that as smartphones evolve into personal AI hubs capable of acting proactively, trust in how data is stored, accessed and processed will become as important as performance or camera upgrades.

Privacy emerging as competitive battleground

Samsung’s stress on auditable security controls and local data processing reflects growing competition among smartphone makers to reassure users about AI privacy risks.

By positioning the Galaxy S26 as a secure AI platform rather than just another hardware upgrade, Samsung is hinting that in the next phase of the mobile market, security infrastructure may become a primary differentiator alongside intelligence features themselves.