Enhanced Privacy on the Horizon: Samsung’s Privacy Display and the Race Among Smartphone Makers

At the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event, Samsung is anticipated to unveil a groundbreaking innovation: the world’s first smartphone featuring its highly anticipated Privacy Display. This cutting-edge functionality is designed to protect your on-screen content from unwanted glances, ensuring your personal and sensitive information remains private, especially in public spaces. Interestingly, this advanced privacy option may soon extend to devices from rival manufacturers in China, signaling a growing industry focus on user privacy.

Samsung’s Privacy Display: Setting a New Standard for Screen Security

The tech world is just days away from Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event, where the Seoul-based giant is expected to reveal a host of new hardware. A standout among these new devices will be the flagship Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is slated to introduce a critical security feature: the Privacy Display.

This technology utilizes hardware-level modifications to restrict viewing angles. This means that only the person directly in front of the screen can clearly see its contents. For anyone looking from an angle, such as a fellow commuter on a crowded bus or train, the screen will appear significantly dimmed or even completely black. This effectively prevents “visual hacking,” where sensitive information might be inadvertently or maliciously observed.

Chinese Tech Giants Join the Privacy Revolution

It appears Samsung’s exclusive ownership of this technology might be short-lived. Recent leaks and industry speculation suggest that some of the most popular smartphone manufacturers from China, including Vivo, OPPO, and Xiaomi, are actively developing their own proprietary solutions mirroring Samsung’s Privacy Display.

While official announcements are still pending, rumors indicate that these integrated screen visibility filters could arrive in Chinese flagship smartphones as early as September of this year. Crucially, these features are expected to be implemented in their high-end “Pro” and “Ultra” series models, emphasizing their commitment to premium user experiences and enhanced security.

Beyond Smartphones: Protecting Privacy on All Your Screens

While safeguarding smartphone visibility is a high priority due to their widespread use in public, similar privacy solutions are not exclusive to mobile devices. Users can extend this protection to other electronic gadgets, including laptops and desktop computers.

Hardware Privacy Filters for Laptops and Desktops

For years, owners of devices such as Windows laptops, MacBooks, and desktop computers have benefited from what are known as “privacy filters.” These affordable accessories are designed to work with virtually any screen:

• How they work: Privacy filters operate using a “micro-louvre” technology. Much like mini-blinds, these microscopic slats embedded in the filter direct light forward.
• Restricted Viewing: When a filter is applied, the screen’s content is only clearly visible to someone looking directly at it from a straight-on perspective.
• Affordable Solution: These are relatively inexpensive gadgets that offer an effective way to secure sensitive information on larger screens in various environments, from coffee shops to open-plan offices.

Source: Android Authority. Opening photo: Generated by Gemini

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Anuj Kushwaha

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