8 big inventions with Dallas-Fort Worth ties make Time's best of 2026

Some of the year’s most buzzworthy innovations have a North Texas connection. Eight inventions tied to Dallas-Fort Worth — including a phone that blocks nosy neighbors, a self-driving 18-wheeler, and a lab-made egg — have landed on Time magazine’s list of the 300 best inventions of 2026.

Here’s a look at the DFW-connected winners, starting with the ones you might find in your own home.

Samsung
Plano-based Samsung Electronics America pulled off a hat trick this year, with three products making Time’s list.

First up is the Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone. It packs a more powerful camera, Galaxy AI features, and pro-level content creation tools. But Time singled out its new built-in privacy display as the phone’s “biggest selling point.” The feature dims the screen when viewed from an angle, making it “nearly impossible” for the person next to you on the plane to read your texts.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone is recognized for its new built-in privacy display.Photo courtesy of Samsung Electronics America/PR Newswire