Behind the strangest feature on the Galaxy S26 Ultra

The privacy screen is one of the standout features on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, eliminating the need for a dedicated screen protector.

The screen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra with Privacy Display activated. Photo: Xuan Sang .

Privacy Display is one of the standout features on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Making its debut on a mobile device, this technology replaces the role of privacy screens, allowing the screen to dim gradually when viewed from an angle.

Smartphone screens can contain sensitive information such as bank account balances, passwords, or work data. Samsung says the new feature helps ensure privacy, especially when using your phone in public and wanting to limit prying eyes.

Combining hardware and software

The idea of ​​a privacy screen on a phone isn't actually new. BlackBerry smartphones have featured the Privacy Shade app, which allowed users to blur certain areas of the screen to hide private information.

Some smartphones also have narrow screen viewing angles, but this isn't necessarily intentional. Samsung, on the other hand, chooses to combine hardware and software to enhance convenience and proactively protect privacy when using the phone.

In normal mode, the S26 Ultra's screen remains clear from all angles. However, when Privacy Display is enabled and the phone is tilted, the screen immediately dims, even appearing to turn off completely when tilted more.

The viewing angle on the S26 Ultra is severely restricted when Privacy Display is enabled. Photo: Quang Thong .

This isn't just a software feature; it also stems from the OLED panel structure. According to Samsung, the S26 Ultra's screen is made up of two separate groups of pixels: wide-angle pixels (which can illuminate from both sides) and narrow-angle pixels (which illuminate directly in front).

Normally, two groups of pixels illuminate simultaneously, making the screen visible from all angles. When Privacy Display is enabled, the narrow-angle pixels act as the primary light source, while the wide-angle pixels operate at a minimal level.

This limits the amount of light emitted from both sides. The screen remains clear within a 30-degree angle, but will dim as the viewing angle extends beyond this range.

Samsung combines various technologies to perfect the Privacy Display. Specifically, the screen on the S26 Ultra uses the LEAD 2.0 architecture. LEAD refers to a non-polarized OLED panel that offers high brightness and low power consumption.

On the LEAD 2.0, the company added a Black Matrix structure, separating the red, green, and blue sub-pixels. Instead of using a single layer of pixels, Samsung developed a multi-layered light-blocking structure to control the amount of light emitted by each pixel, which is only a few micrometers wide.

Comparison of screen viewing angles on the S26 Ultra with Privacy Display activated. Photo: WSJ .

The security technology used in the S26 Ultra's display is called Flex Magic Pixel (FMP). According to Samsung Display, this technology is certified by the independent testing organization UL Solutions.

Based on testing, the S26 Ultra's screen only retains 3.5% of its brightness when viewed from a 45-degree angle, dropping further to 0.9% (or less) when viewed from a 60-degree angle. According to Android Authority , this figure is significantly lower than typical screens, which maintain around 40% brightness when viewed from an angle.

Practical experience shows that Privacy Display works quite smoothly. Compared to regular screen protectors that only protect two sides, Samsung's solution can restrict viewing angles from all four sides without causing discomfort or reducing display quality.

More testing is needed.

Users can activate Privacy Display on the S26 Ultra in the settings, Quick Settings menu, by double-tapping the virtual button next to the screen, or by enabling it automatically based on conditions.

In the settings, Privacy Display supports automatic activation when accessing certain apps, such as Facebook, banking apps, dating apps, or photo galleries. When you exit or switch to another app, the mode will automatically turn off.

The device also supports privacy protection when entering passwords, unlocking the screen, or receiving notifications. Because the pixels operate independently, Privacy Display can obscure only the notification area, while other areas remain clearly visible.

Users can increase the screen's darkness level with the maximum protection option. However, Samsung notes that this option may affect visibility even when viewed directly.

The interface for setting up the Privacy Display feature. Photo: Phuong Lam .

According to Samsung, the software tweaks offer flexibility in limiting what others can see, based on the desired level of privacy protection.

Speaking to the WSJ , Samsung's Chief Product Officer Charles Uptegrove said the technology has been under development for five years. In theory, the new feature could help extend battery life by reducing the number of wide-angle illuminated pixels. However, further real-world testing is needed to evaluate this.

Privacy Display is currently only available on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the highest-end model with a starting price of $1,300 . Due to its specific hardware requirements, Samsung cannot add the feature to older models through software updates.

Many current smartphones, including iPhones, primarily use screens supplied by Samsung. However, Uptegrove could not comment on the possibility of providing this new technology to customers.

Rival companies are certainly not staying out of the game. On Weibo, the leaker Digital Chat Station reported that many Chinese smartphone manufacturers are testing similar technology, which could be launched as early as September.

Android Authority quoted a Samsung representative as saying they are taking user feedback into account. If the feedback is positive, the company will consider expanding Privacy Display to other devices in the future, although they did not specify which models.

Galaxy S26 Ultra Experience: Samsung's AI-powered calling device. Samsung is gradually transforming its devices into AI-focused products with software features upgraded annually instead of design changes.

Source: https://znews.vn/phia-sau-tinh-nang-la-tren-galaxy-s26-ultra-post1630458.html