Samsung: new Galaxy S26 Ultra gets adjustable privacy screen
We don't scroll and tell
Privacy in public places is a growing pain point for smartphone users. Whether it's banking at the checkout counter or private messaging on the train, unwanted eyes are a constant source of irritation. With the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung is likely to introduce a definitive solution.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra will be the first Samsung phone with a built-in privacy screen. And unlike well-known privacy screen protectors, you can turn Samsung's on or off. That way, what's private really does stay private. The new privacy feature is demonstrated in the teaser below, which Samsung distributed through its official channels.
The privacy screen works like a regular screen when you look at it straight from the front. But from an angle, everything turns black. What technology Samsung is using is not yet known. For example, we don't yet know whether the feature is hardware or software-based. In other words, is Samsung applying an extra layer in the screen as we see on some laptops such as the HP Sure View? Or is Samsung reaching for an AI application that uses the selfie camera to see if someone is watching you after which the screen goes black.
Zero-peeking privacy: hardware- or software-based?
If Samsung chooses to go the hardware route, then this is extra noticeable. An extra layer of screen typically reduces light output, and color quality does not improve either. Moreover, this feature consumes extra energy to operate, raising questions about its effect on battery life. Earlier rumors spoke of an equal maximum brightness of 2500 nits and an unchanged battery capacity of 5000 mAh.
Also read:Samsung already shows future camera capabilities Galaxy S26 series
Samsung keeps releasing some teasers leading up to the unveiling of the S26 Series. For example, we previously saw that the S26 Series features enhanced night video and possibly a higher quality zoom. Although Samsung is showing the feature in teasers, exact specifications remain under wraps until the official unveiling.
Previous attempts against peepers
Samsung appears to be the first smartphone manufacturer to apply such a privacy screen. Earlier manufacturers did apply clever tricks to keep others from reading your sensitive information along. For example, some Oppo and realme phones have a feature called "Smart Spying Prevention. This hides the content of notifications when the selfie camera detects multiple people.
Much earlier still, some BlackBerry phones had a feature called "Privacy Shade. This reduced the brightness of the entire screen and allowed the user to place a bar over the screen that was normally lit. You could also move a searchlight across the screen, causing that area to light up. Apple, Samsung's biggest competitor, does not yet offer features in iOS 26 to warn of peek-a-boo. Let alone actively prevent it.
