3 Minutes
Samsung is building a Privacy Display into One UI 8.5 — a screen mode designed to narrow viewing angles so only the person in front of the phone can see sensitive content. The capability was spotted in software code and appears to rely on hardware slated for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Privacy on demand: what the feature does
Imagine checking messages on a crowded train without strangers peeking over your shoulder. Screenshots shared by X user Ach reveal how Samsung plans to make the feature flexible and easy to use:
- Auto Privacy: Automatically enables privacy mode in busy places like elevators or public transport.
- Scheduling: Let the feature turn on or off at set times or for specific situations.
- App-specific protection: Add apps where Privacy Display should kick in — handy for banking or messaging apps.
- Partial obscuring: The system can hide only parts of the screen, such as incoming notifications or picture-in-picture windows.
- Protected gallery items: Images marked as private can be shielded from side views.
- Lock-screen protection: PIN, password and pattern interfaces can receive extra shielding when Privacy Display is active.
- Maximum Privacy: An optional mode that dims the screen to make side viewing even harder.
Why the S26 Ultra likely gets it first
Although the Privacy Display settings were found in One UI 8.5 code, the feature needs physical display hardware to work. The same source suggests that support will be limited to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. That means older Galaxy phones—even those upgraded to One UI 8.5—probably won’t be able to use it. Samsung has a track record of reserving advanced screen tech for its Ultra models, so it’s unlikely other S26 variants will get this capability.
What this means for daily use
Privacy screen protectors have offered similar protection for years, but a built-in, toggleable solution is more convenient and cleaner. Whether you want to hide sensitive notifications, protect private photos, or keep your lock-screen secure in public, an integrated Privacy Display could change how safely people use their phones in crowded places.
Samsung hasn’t officially announced the feature yet, so expect more details as the S26 Ultra launch approaches. For now, the code points to a thoughtful, privacy-first addition to the phone’s display toolkit.
Source: gsmarena
Leave a Comment