The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Privacy Display is an innovative tool that limits shoulder browsing

Let me paint you a picture: You’re crammed into the middle seat of some Boeing plane while flying at 38,000 feet. You’re half snoozing, half flipping between messages, social media apps, and music streaming platforms. The cabin lights are dim. The stranger rubbing shoulders next to you adjusts in his seat. Out of the corner of your eye, you notice their gaze flickering to your screen.

That’s the moment when it’s new Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraThe privacy offering, which was announced Wednesday during the company’s conference Galaxy dismantled 2026 Event, you can quietly intervene.

Unlike traditional screen protectors that permanently darken your screen, the new feature is built directly into the panel of the $1,300 Galaxy S26 Ultra. It’s not a film you stick on top; It’s part of the hardware itself, and works seamlessly with the software.

During the Unpacked event, Samsung brought out Miles Franklin from MilesAboveTech To view the feature. For Miles, looking directly at the screen, everything remained clear, bright and color-accurate. For anyone trying to peek from the side, like those of us watching the demo, the content fades into the shadows. From this perspective, the screen may also be off.

Read more: This killer feature sets the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra apart from all other phones

“It’s really one of the coolest features I’ve seen on a phone in years,” Franklin said.

How privacy view works

Under the hood, the technology relies on a combination of directional backlighting and an adaptive pixel layer that controls how light is emitted through corners. Traditional displays spread light widely so that several people can see the screen at once. The S26 Ultra does the opposite when Privacy Mode is active. It directs light forward in a tighter beam, limiting side vision without sacrificing clarity for the primary user.

Sensors also play a role. Using the front camera and peripheral awareness algorithms, the device can detect when additional faces enter the field of view. If it senses someone hovering nearby or looking from the side, it can automatically turn on Enhanced Privacy Mode. You can also automate the process when certain notifications appear or when you open certain apps, such as banking or social media apps.

Back on the plane, you can now continue writing. The stranger next to you is adjusting again – perhaps curious, perhaps bored. It doesn’t matter. Your screen remains yours.