Samsung recently made the new Galaxy S26 series available for pre-order, which features a huge privacy improvement never seen before on a phone: a builtin, toggleable privacy screen that functions on a per-pixel level.
Funny how they believe this was a bigger problem than the built in telemetry they have on their Android. I don’t mean to complaint about a new privacy enhancement feature but I had to point it out.
But then you have to use a Samsung… Their privacy policy makes Google’s look good. The bootloader also cannot be unlocked to install a custom ROM.
This is a really cool feature and sounds like it works very well, but I will not use it until other manufacturers add it.
They have integrated Perplexity into their phones, so no.
Yeah I’m more excited about the potential of these displays ending up on other phones and devices. It could be a standard feature that’s expected of every device in the future.
Yep. We’ll have to see how Apple does it “differently”.
It’ll likely be exactly the same, especially since Samsung makes their displays. My prediction anyway.
Aside from the irony that this tech is inside a Samsung device, I think its pretty cool regardless. There’s a hardware mod where you can modify a display to only be readable with certain glasses. It would be cool if Samsung made the screen readable with contact lenses or a pair of glasses specially designed for the user.
I saw a review that said that the display on the phones is worse in this generation than last because of this feature. I’m not that concerned for the debut of the feature.
Telemetry might not be as much of a concern if the focus is on security for protecting passwords.
Most people don’t know or understand telemetry. The privacy screen is a really cool idea, and hopefully, it’ll be a standard on all flagship devices starting next year. The Chinese brands are slated to launch devices with this privacy screen technology later this year.
It will. As stated, the Chinese brands like Xiaomi will use this technology. Of course, none of these companies are privacy focused, so we can only hope Google or a GOS partner will use it in their flagship phones. I can only imagine what GOS will do with this technology.
How is it worse?
The quality. Like how it looks.
Will the average person even notice the difference if they don’t have a reference device to compare to? I’ll still take the privacy screen technology to mitigate shoulder surfing concerns. It’s a major issue problem if you’re on an airplane or take public transit!
My laptop was offered with an optional toggleable privacy screen like that. I was tempted, but after reading reviews it seemed like many of the people who opted for it were disappointed with it (even when toggled off). I have no idea whether its the same tech being used by Samsung or something different.
I don’t recall the specific complaints (beyond that they related to brightness, and usability in well-lit environments), but I believe the tech was referred to as “HP Sure View” or something to that effect.
I’d at least want a chance to test this tech in person before pulling the trigger. I like the premise, but not if it comes at the cost of outdoor performance or significant loss of battery life.
Isn’t this feature just on the ultra lineup?
I used a privacy protector once, and it made the display so ugly I didn’t want to use my phone anymore. Probably a better experience if implemented by the manufacturers, but it still makes me shudder. Ugh.
I don’t know where you live, but in the US, stores will have the S26U units available for people to play with.
I have a privacy protector on my iPhone. I don’t have a choice because I am in public all the time. Lots of shoulder surfing in transit.
Regarding the display quality, you can go to around 4:00 on The Friday Checkout’s video.
I honestly don’t understand the commotion. I just played with the Samsung S26 Ultra’s privacy screen and I think it’s fantastic. This phone is just begging to have GOS on it.