Samsung has officially announced a new display feature aimed at protecting privacy when using smartphones in public spaces.
Although the manufacturer does not directly call the innovation a “privacy display,” the wording in the recent press release leaves little doubt. Samsung speaks of “privacy at the pixel level” and protection from shoulder surfing-situations where outsiders can see the screen content from the side.
“You will be able to check messages or enter your password on public transport without worrying about who might be watching,” stated Samsung.
The essence of the technology is well known: the screen remains clear when viewed directly but noticeably loses readability when viewed at an angle. This is also confirmed by an earlier leak-in the beta version of One UI 8.5, an animation was discovered where the display gradually darkens when the smartphone is tilted to the left or right.
The mention of “pixel level” suggests that it involves not just software image processing. Samsung likely employs specific hardware technology (possibly the Flex Magic Pixel OLED technology, showcased at MWC 2025).
Integration with Samsung Knox
Samsung confirmed that the feature will be flexibly configurable. Users will be able to: choose applications in which the private mode is automatically activated; activate protection when entering passwords and data in sensitive fields; adjust the screen dimming level depending on the viewing angle. The new technology will become part of the Samsung Knox security ecosystem and will work in conjunction with Knox Vault. Thanks to hardware implementation, the protection should be more reliable than solutions based solely on software.
However, this also means that the function will not appear on older Galaxy models through an over-the-air update.
Enhancements and Industry Trends
Samsung has not revealed which models will use the new privacy feature but has stated that devices supporting it will appear very soon. It is worth noting that earlier rumors attributed the Privacy Display feature to the new flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra. The premiere of this model, along with the entire Galaxy S26 lineup, is expected on February 25.
In the broader industry context, other smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Google are also exploring similar technologies focusing on user privacy and data protection. As privacy becomes an increasing concern, consumers can expect more innovations aimed at securing mobile communications in the coming years. Industry experts suggest that these privacy features could become standard across high-end devices, underscoring a vital aspect of consumer trust and technology integration.
