B2 – Upper Intermediate
Samsung has unveiled its new Galaxy S26 lineup, emphasizing a bigger push into artificial intelligence alongside a new privacy-focused display feature. The latest smartphones introduce tools designed to automate everyday tasks and enhance photos, while also adding a “Privacy Display” mode that limits screen visibility to prevent onlookers from peeking at sensitive information.
The upgrades come with notable price increases for most models, even as Samsung continues to position AI as a central selling point. While the company is betting on smarter, more integrated features to attract buyers, questions remain about whether consumers truly value AI enough to drive upgrades in an already competitive smartphone market.
Read the article for more information.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “shoulder surfing” mean? “The screen appears off when viewed from the side, preventing “shoulder surfing” from people standing or sitting nearby.” Use this in a sentence.
- What does “sleeper hit” mean? “PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore predicts Privacy Display could turn out to be “the sleeper hit, a standout feature in a sea of AI noise.” Use this in a sentence.
- What does “to pony up” mean? “Samsung is also dangling a new reason to pony up for its most expensive Galaxy S26 with a built-in feature called “Privacy Display” that will only be available on the Ultra.” Use this in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you think AI features are becoming a real necessity in smartphones, or are they still more of a “party trick”? Why?
- Would a privacy feature like Samsung’s “Privacy Display” influence your decision to buy a phone? Why or why not?
- Why do you think AI is “not a sought-after feature” yet, according to the analyst interviewed for the article?
- Do you think Samsung’s strategy can help it compete more effectively with Apple and Google? Why or why not?