{"id":511416,"date":"2026-03-01T08:38:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T08:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/511416\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T08:38:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T08:38:12","slug":"samsung-unpacked-new-privacy-feature-coming-to-android","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/511416\/","title":{"rendered":"Samsung Unpacked: New Privacy Feature Coming to Android"},"content":{"rendered":"

The cheap $15 privacy cover from the local shopping centre won\u2019t cut it if you need good data protection, according to Samsung, but the company\u2019s \u201cbreakthrough\u201d display<\/a> in its new $2100+ smartphones apparently will.<\/p>\n

This comes as the global leader showcased the hugely hyped built-in feature at Galaxy Unpacked, allowing users to prevent \u201cshoulder surfing\u201d in a more flexible and durable way than traditional films. <\/p>\n

RELATED: Everything Announced at Galaxy Unpacked 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In a roundtable following the launch, Samsung\u2019s CEO, President and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division, TM Roh, said \u201cstrengthening privacy\u201d is especially necessary as artificial intelligence continues to develop.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo support the optimum operations and use of the AI features, we will continue to relentlessly develop our hardware, software and AI at the same time,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Popular tech creator Miles Franklin (@MilesAboveTech<\/a>) gave a live demo on at the launch, sharing how quickly it takes to black out an entire screen from people who could be peering over from the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s seriously one of the coolest features I\u2019ve seen on a phone in years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can keep whatever\u2019s on my screen private, but I can also share my screen with my friends. It\u2019s like a privacy film I can turn off and on whenever I want. It\u2019s a real game changer\u201d.<\/p>\n

And as with many things Galaxy, the function is easily customisable and can be tailored to hide certain notifications or smaller areas of the screen. <\/p>\n

There are two privacy levels to choose from, including Partial Screen Privacy for limiting pop-ups and Maximum Privacy Protection to reduce visibility for pretty much anyone who doesn\u2019t have the same head-on view.<\/p>\n

PRE-ORDER NEW SAMSUNG<\/a><\/p>\n

Samsung Australia\u2019s Nathan Rigger, Head of Product, Mobile eXperience, says the new privacy function essentially uses a mix of clever pixel technology and software to create a levelled-up version of the privacy screen protectors that many people already use.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the display, we use a combination of narrow and wide pixels. When you turn the Privacy Display on, it\u2019ll turn off the wide pixels and limit the viewing angle so the narrow pixels send light to a particular direction. There are also some other changes we\u2019ve made to the walls that sort of segment the pixels to stop light from leaking,\u201d he explained to news.com.au checkout.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the really cool thing about Privacy Display is that it allows the user to be able to personalise and customise. If I\u2019m on a bus or a train, I don\u2019t want the person next to me looking at all my banking transactions. I can have it turned on specifically for banking, or I can have it cover my pins, patterns or passwords. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt really puts privacy in the user\u2019s hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

But while Samsung points out there\u2019s \u201cminimal impact to power or usability\u201d, users can still expect some sacrifices such as a dimmer screen and difficulties when showing things to friends.<\/p>\n

Considering the S25 Ultra<\/a> made up 67 per cent of Galaxy S25<\/a> sales across South-East Asia and Oceania, according to Mr Roh, it\u2019s unsurprising the setting is currently only available in the newly launched S26 Ultra<\/a>. Although it could be expanded to other devices similar to Samsung\u2019s previous model-exclusive capabilities.<\/p>\n

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