The Galaxy S26 Ultra may automatically hide its display based on its surroundings.
Fresh leak shows how the upcoming Ultra’s automatic privacy display could actually function.
The S26 Ultra may include a privacy feature to prevent others from viewing the screen.
Users can also select what remains visible when the display dims. Current options allow keeping lock screen security (PIN, password, or pattern) accessible, concealing specific photos, and filtering notifications or picture-in-picture when the privacy layer activates.
The user interface could change before the release of One UI 8.5, expected with the S26 Ultra launch next year.
Samsung's decision could prove significant.
Since privacy is increasingly important, integrating this feature could give the S26 Ultra a competitive advantage. Although third-party privacy screen protectors exist, built-in protection offers a more refined experience.
The S26 Ultra may include a privacy feature to prevent others from viewing the screen.
The S26 Ultra may include a privacy feature to prevent others from viewing the screen. This seemingly minor feature could significantly differentiate the Galaxy S26 Ultra from competitors.
A key question is how the phone will identify "crowded public places." Automatically dimming the display in locations like subways or stores seems appealing, given the desire to prevent strangers from viewing private information.
However, this functionality might require the phone to analyze surroundings using sensors or location data, which raises concerns. Users might sacrifice one form of privacy (location data) to gain another (screen privacy).
For this to be a key selling point, Samsung must assure users that sensitive detection occurs on the device itself, without transmitting data. Otherwise, a feature designed to ensure privacy could ironically raise further privacy issues.
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