Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series may indeed include an AI-powered screen privacy option, according to a recent leak tied to One UI 8.5.
While examining early One UI 8.5 firmware, leakers spotted references to a feature called Privacy Display. As per the source, it appears to limit how clearly the screen can be viewed from the sides, while keeping it readable when looked at straight on. The goal seems to be reducing unwanted glances in public places like buses, trains, or cafes.
The feature doesn’t appear to be always on. Mentions in the software discovered so far suggest it can be enabled manually through Settings or added as a toggle in the Quick Panel. There are also signs that it can be automated, possibly through Samsung’s Modes and Routines system, allowing it to turn on when certain conditions are met — such as leaving home or connecting to mobile data.
Samsung’s Privacy Display feature is reportedly linked to display hardware rather than camera-based detection. Last year, Samsung Display showcased Flex Magic Pixel OLED technology, which can adjust viewing angles by controlling how pixels emit light. The Galaxy S26 series could be the first to use this technology in a consumer device, although that hasn’t been confirmed.
While Samsung’s Privacy Display appears to change how on-screen content is viewed—likely relying on new display hardware—the idea of dealing with prying eyes isn’t entirely new. Huawei’s Pura 80 Ultra, for example, uses eye-tracking and facial recognition to detect when someone is looking at the screen and alerts the user in real time through a Dynamic Island-style notification. It will be interesting to see how Samsung’s panel-based approach compares when the Galaxy S26 series launches in February 2026.
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