What you need to know
- A new teaser suggests that Samsung is betting big on anti-peeking screen tech for its 2026 flagship.
- The feature uses Flex Magic Pixel tech, a hardware-level “Privacy Display” that hides your screen from side-angle peepers at the flip of a toggle.
- However, this might be limited to the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung is working on a way to solve the problem of nosy neighbors peeking at your phone, but there may be a catch that some users won’t like. As we look toward the 2026 flagship cycle, a new teaser from the South Korean tech giant suggests the Galaxy S26 Ultra will lean heavily into Privacy Display technology, a feature meant to keep your screen content visible only to you.
According to code in One UI 8.5 seen last month, Samsung’s next interface has a toggle that reduces your screen’s viewing angle, meaning that when someone glances at your phone from the side, what they see will be dimmed or distorted, while you still read clearly straight on. Samsung’s new teaser footage (see below) shows a user flipping a switch in the quick settings to instantly limit visibility on what’s on screen.
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It uses hardware-level pixel trickery
This feature uses Flex Magic Pixel technology from Samsung Display, which changes each pixel’s viewing angle at the hardware level. It’s like having a privacy screen protector built into the display and managed by software, so you don’t need any extra accessories.
Earlier leaks suggest you may be able to customize this feature even more. For example, it could turn on automatically when you’re outside, work with certain apps that need more privacy, or let you choose different levels of privacy.
Leaks also suggest this could be smarter than current privacy modes. Samsung’s version may let you hide only certain parts of the screen, like your notifications or banking app, without making the whole display darker. This would be a big improvement over older privacy filters.
There is still some uncertainty, though. Samsung hasn’t said which models will have this feature, but rumors point to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. As with any new display technology, how well it works will matter most. If the screen gets too dim or uses too much battery in real life, it could lose its appeal.
Android Central’s Take
This is a feature I would use every day. I do everything on my phone, from mobile banking to writing notes for articles like this one, so I really worry about people reading over my shoulder in crowded places. I’m glad Samsung is solving this problem without making me use a screen protector that ruins my bright OLED display.
It is frustrating that this feature will probably only be on the Ultra model. It seems unfair to limit a basic privacy tool to just one expensive phone. Still, if it works as smoothly as the teaser shows, Samsung may have finally added a real “killer feature” that is more than just a gimmick. It’s a way to get back some privacy in a world that feels more public every day.
You can reserve yours starting February 25. Just keep in mind, you’ll probably have to pay extra for the added privacy.
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