Samsung has unveiled the first teaser for its upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, showcasing a feature that could eliminate the need for aftermarket privacy screen protectors. The new technology addresses a familiar concern: preventing strangers from viewing your screen in public spaces.
In its official announcement, Samsung highlighted common scenarios where privacy becomes a concern—reading messages on a bus, unlocking your phone in a crowded elevator, or entering passwords on the subway. "Our phones are our most personal space, but we use them in the least private places," the company explained. The new feature works by limiting viewing angles when activated, making the display appear completely black to anyone viewing from the side while remaining bright and clear to the user directly in front.
How It Works
Samsung describes the technology as a "fusion of hardware and software" operating at the pixel level. Rather than functioning as an always-on setting, the privacy feature is designed to be customizable and context-aware. Users can configure it to activate only when opening specific apps or accessing sensitive areas of their device. The system can even be fine-tuned to block just notification previews, preventing private messages from being visible to nearby onlookers.
Ejiro Onose
Smart Security Integration
The privacy display builds on Samsung's existing Knox security platform, offering intelligent activation that distinguishes it from traditional privacy films. The system can automatically engage when users open banking apps or enter credentials, then deactivate afterwards to allow normal screen sharing when desired.
Enhanced Display and Durability
The technology is integrated directly into the S26 Ultra's new M14 OLED panel, which maintains colour accuracy and vibrancy despite the privacy capabilities. Samsung has also upgraded the screen's durability with Gorilla Glass Armour 2 for improved scratch resistance, while implementing efficiency improvements that reportedly extend battery life by 20 per cent. As Samsung summarises: "privacy you can see and security you can feel."
