Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to Feature New M14 and COE Technologies: āBrighter and Thinnerā
The display of Samsungās upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, set for release early next year, is expected to become brighter and thinner. Samsung is planning to equip the S26 Ultra with OLED technology that incorporates advanced new materials and display innovations.
According to industry sources on the 21st, Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display have decided to introduce both the new material set āM14ā and the polarizer-eliminating technology āCOEā to the OLED panel of the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
In OLED, performance factors such as color, lifespan, and brightness are determined by the organic materials used. Smartphone makers and display manufacturers combine these OLED materials to create optimal panels. In the industry, such combinations are referred to as āmaterial sets.ā Samsung labels them with āM (Material)ā plus a number, where higher numbers denote newer OLED generations.
M14 will be applied for the first time in Samsung smartphones through the S26 Ultra. As the most advanced OLED material set currently commercialized, it is expected to deliver the highest performanceāimproving luminous efficiency for greater brightness and extending lifespan. Until now, Samsung used the earlier M13 set across all Galaxy S24 and S25 models, making this the first upgrade in three years.
However, only the S26 Ultra will receive M14. The S26 Pro and Edge models are expected to retain the M13 material set. The S26 lineupāPro, Edge, and Ultraāwill launch in Q1 next year, with display sizes of 6.27 inches, 6.66 inches, and 6.89 inches, respectively.
Suppliers of M14 include DuPont, Universal Display (UDC), Duksan Neolux, Samsung SDI, and SFC. For red materials, DuPont, UDC, and Duksan Neolux are the suppliers; for green, Samsung SDI, UDC, and Duksan Neolux; for blue, SFC and Idemitsu Kosan. Dongjin Semichem provides the capping layer (CPL), while LG Chem supplies the anode electron transport layer (a-ETL) and electron transport layer (ETL).
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will also be the first bar-type (non-foldable) Samsung smartphone to adopt COE. This technology was first applied to foldable phones and is now being extended to bar-type models.
COE integrates the anti-reflection function directly into the OLED encapsulation layer by embedding color filters, eliminating the need for a polarizer. This reduces panel thickness and enhances brightness.
Samsung and Samsung Display have been using COE in foldable OLEDs since the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in 2021. After five years, they are now expanding it to bar-type smartphones.
Industry watchers see this as Samsungās move to preempt Apple, which is reportedly planning to introduce COE in its 20th-anniversary iPhone model in 2027.
An industry insider commented: āApple plans to apply COE to its bar-type iPhones in 2027 to mark the 20th anniversary of the iPhone. Samsung appears to be emphasizing its lead by applying this new technology first to its flagship model.ā
The key material for COEāthe black pixel defining layer (PDL)āis supplied by Duksan Neolux. Black PDL prevents light leakage and pixel interference in the internalized color filter structure.
