What is the Private Screen feature and why it matters
The rumor mill is turning toward Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, where a new privacy feature called Private Screen is said to appear. Described in the One UI 8.5 code as a way to limit the visibility of the display from oblique angles, Private Screen aims to reduce peeks in crowded places such as trains, elevators, and buses. The idea is simple in concept: make it harder for people nearby to read your screen without compromising your own viewing experience.
The feature was first spotted inside the One UI 8.5 firmware, where it’s listed as a mode to “limit screen visibility at side angles to protect privacy.” This aligns with Samsung’s ongoing push to give users more granular privacy controls beyond traditional lock screens and app permissions. The conversation about Private Screen entered the public sphere when an insider known as @achultra shared screenshots on X (via GSMArena), illustrating the settings and potential behavior of the feature. It remains unconfirmed by Samsung, but the leak points to a thoughtful approach to on-device privacy.
How it could work on the Galaxy S26 Ultra
Key details from the leak suggest Private Screen could be activated manually or configured for automatic operation in densely populated locations. Auto-activation would likely rely on location data, with GPS determining when a user is in crowded spaces such as transit hubs or office elevators. Additionally, a scheduled mode could predefine times or contexts when the feature should be active, reducing the need for constant manual toggling.
Crucially, users would gain per-app control, choosing which apps the privacy mode affects. The insider’s screenshots hint at selective activation—meaning you could keep messaging or social apps visible while masking other content. In practice, this could translate to hiding ephemeral windows such as pop-ups or picture-in-picture (PiP) frames, as well as protecting gallery content on a higher-privacy setting.
Partial privacy and targeted protections
Beyond broad screen dimming, Private Screen is said to offer partial privacy. For example, specific UI elements could be obscured while the rest of the screen remains legible. The feature might also extend to secure input fields—PIN pads, passwords, or graphical keys—where the display could shift to a privacy-first presentation to curb shoulder-surfing while entering credentials.
Another intriguing aspect is the potential for the Gallery app to tag images as “protected.” When marked, those photos would only render at a direct viewing angle, reducing the chance of someone glancing at private pictures from the side. A dedicated “Maximum Privacy” mode reportedly reduces display brightness while the feature is active, further compounding the difficulty for nearby observers.
Availability and practical implications
According to the leaker, Private Screen would be part of Galaxy S26 Ultra. If true, this could make it an exclusive feature for Samsung’s flagship, at least initially, with other S26 models possibly missing out on this particular privacy tool. Such exclusivity would not be unprecedented for camera, display, or security features; however, it would also set a privacy-oriented precedent for the entire S26 lineup.
From a usability perspective, this approach addresses a common frustration: peering strangers at smartphone content in public. By giving users control over what is shown, and where, Samsung could offer a tangible privacy boost without resorting to more drastic measures like wraparound privacy screens or physical barriers. Yet there are trade-offs to consider—keeping the feature active could impact battery life slightly and might lead to false positives in auto-activation if GPS data is noisy or misinterpreted.
What this means for smartphone privacy in 2025
If Samsung deploys Private Screen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it would underscore a broader industry shift toward context-aware privacy tools. Consumers increasingly expect devices to anticipate privacy needs in real-world scenarios. The concept of per-app and element-specific privacy controls also aligns with ongoing debates about shoulder-surfing, smart alerts, and secure input—areas where software, not just hardware, can make a meaningful difference.
Bottom line
While we await official confirmation, the Private Screen leak paints a picture of a privacy feature that goes beyond simple screen dimming. If realized on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, it could become a differentiator for Samsung’s flagship and a talking point about how smartphones protect users in public spaces. We’ll monitor Samsung’s communications and confirm details as soon as the company offers formal disclosure.
