Up close: Here’s how Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra pulls off its Privacy Display trick
Source: Android Authority
TL;DR
- Privacy Display is a new feature on the Galaxy S26 Ultra that restricts screen viewing angles.
- Unlike privacy screen protectors, the effect can be toggled on and off in software.
- The feature works by turning off select pixels.
Introducing Privacy Display
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra brings a Privacy Display that limits visibility to anyone looking directly at the screen. When viewed from an angle, the display appears black, similar to a physical privacy screen protector, but it can be enabled or disabled via software.
How It Works
The S26 Ultra’s panel combines two pixel types:
- Wide pixels – the standard pixels that are visible from a wide range of angles.
- Narrow pixels – engineered with an internal privacy layer, visible only when viewed straight on.
When Privacy Display is activated, the phone disables the wide pixels, leaving only the narrow pixels illuminated. This creates a narrow viewing cone that protects on‑screen information.
Image: Close‑up of the S26 Ultra’s subpixel structure
Image credit: Dylan H.
Trade‑offs
- Viewing angle: Significantly reduced; the screen is effectively black when seen from the side.
- Brightness: With fewer active pixels, overall brightness is lower than in normal mode.
These drawbacks are generally considered acceptable for the added privacy, especially since the feature can be turned off instantly when not needed.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Highlights
- Display: 6.9‑inch 10‑bit panel with Privacy Display technology
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- Camera: 200 MP main sensor, upgraded zoom, advanced 8K video
- AI Features: Power AI tools and Galaxy‑exclusive AI capabilities
- Price: MSRP $1,299.99
The S26 Ultra is Samsung’s slimmest and lightest Ultra model to date, featuring a redesigned cooling system and top‑tier imaging hardware.