Samsung unveiled a new privacy-focused display technology at its Galaxy S26 live event on Wednesday, giving users a smarter way to block “shoulder surfers” from peeking at their screens. The company built the feature to work on a per-app basis, allowing users to switch on privacy mode only for specific apps instead of covering the entire screen with a traditional privacy film.
Samsung took a swipe at conventional privacy filters, pointing out their downsides. Those overlays often dim the screen and make it harder to share content with someone sitting next to you. Instead of forcing users to choose between privacy and brightness, Samsung engineered a built-in solution directly into the display.
The new system relies on two types of pixels: narrow pixels and wide pixels. Samsung calls the architecture “Black Matrix.” When users activate privacy mode, the narrow pixels restrict the path of light so that only someone looking directly at the screen can see the content clearly. When users turn privacy mode off, the wide pixels work alongside the narrow ones to spread light normally in all directions, restoring the full viewing angle.
Samsung designed the Privacy Display feature to give users control. You can set certain apps, like messaging or banking apps, to automatically trigger privacy mode, while leaving other apps in standard view. The feature also extends to notifications. If someone glances at your phone from the side, the screen can black out sensitive alerts while keeping them visible to you straight on.
For users who want even stronger protection, Samsung added a “maximum privacy protection” setting. This option intensifies the effect by reducing bright areas and enhancing darker tones, making it even harder for side viewers to make out details.
Samsung will first roll out the new display on the premium Galaxy S26 Ultra. The flagship device also packs upgraded AI capabilities and a custom chipset designed to deliver faster performance.
During the live demo, tech creator Miles Franklin of MilesAboveTech showcased the privacy feature on stage. The demonstration showed the display blocking side-angle viewing effectively, even for smaller elements like individual notifications.
Samsung had teased the privacy screen ahead of the event but only now revealed how it works. The company emphasized that the feature protects sensitive actions such as entering PINs, patterns, or passcodes. With this move, Samsung signals that privacy will play a bigger role in how it designs future smartphones.
