I’m stoked about the Galaxy S26 Ultra's rumored privacy screen, but it could turn out to be its greatest weakness

Streaming on a Galaxy S25 Ultra — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Starting off the new year with a bang is exactly what Samsung needs, especially when that’s likely when we’ll get our first look at its upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup. Obviously, my eyes are going to be fixed on the Galaxy S26 Ultra mostly because of all the new upgrades it’s expected to get and how it's likely to be a best phone contender.

One peculiar rumor that’s garnered my attention more than anything else is how the Galaxy S26 Ultra could feature a new display technology that blocks out its display at certain angles. This rumored privacy screen feature aims to address one of my biggest concerns about using my phone in tight public spaces, like on the subway, but I do have some concerns about it.

That’s because almost a month ago now, I finally tried out one of those privacy screen protectors for my iPhone 17 Pro — with mixed results. This Galaxy S26 Ultra privacy feature could be game changing, but it could also end up becoming its greatest weakness.

A dimmer display is possible

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Row 0 - Cell 0	Brightness (nits)
Galaxy S25 Ultra	1,860
iPhone 17 Pro Max	1,899
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL	2,555

Just about every successive phone manages to offer a brighter screen. That’s true of just about every flagship phone in existence, and I think the Galaxy S26 Ultra won’t be an exception with its rumored 6.9-inch AMOLED display. Samsung certainly has a lot of work in store for itself if the Galaxy S26 Ultra intends on beating its rivals, mainly because the current Galaxy S25 Ultra peaks at 1,860 nits according to our labs testing.

That puts it a smidge behind the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but it’s nowhere close to the blinding results I see out of the Pixel 10 Pro XL and its 2,555 nit peak brightness. If there’s one thing I learned from installing a privacy screen on my phone, it’s that the screen’s brightness is scaled back.

There’s a noticeable difference before and after I’ve installed the privacy screen protector on my iPhone 17 Pro — and I fear that the Galaxy S26 Ultra might suffer the same fate. Sure, I can appreciate the blocking properties this new tech could bring, but I also don’t want to have more trouble seeing the screen outdoors when it’s sunny out because the brightness isn’t enough.

If this turns out to be a permanent feature, my fear is that it would also make it harder to show stuff on your phone. For example, it could make it tough for another person to watch a video on Instagram or Netflix you want to see. Alternatively, it could end up being a distraction if a game you’re playing relies on motion controls that require the phone to be tilted in all sorts of directions.

One UI 8.5 code: Privacy displayLimits screen visibility from side angles to protect your privacy in public.The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will almost certainly feature a smart privacy screen that sounds like magic: Flex Magic Pixel. pic.twitter.com/Me47uHwTPySeptember 22, 2025

However, a video shared by Samsung leaker IceUniverse shows off what’s reportedly this new smart privacy screen using tech referred to as “Flex Magic Pixel” hints to a “switchable” option. This means that the privacy screen feature could be turned on and off when needed, so that the screen’s brightness isn’t mitigated in any way.

If this ends up being true, it just might squash all of my concerns about introducing this new display tech. At the same time, this could be a way to convince Samsung to finally introduce another, programmable button that could function similarly to the iPhone’s Action button. Being able to quickly activate this privacy screen would be helpful, rather than accessing it through the quick settings menu.

Price hike seems inevitable

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra display showing flower photo — (Image credit: Future)

Finally, the other downside to bringing this new feature is that it could dramatically increase the price of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung kept the price of its top-of-the-line model at $1,299 for the past few generations, but other rumored upgrades like a new 12MP 3x telephoto camera, 25W wireless charging, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 could be reasons for a price hike.

Privacy screen protectors for phones don’t come cheap either, especially the good ones that block out from all directions instead of just two sides. Knowing this, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could be the most expensive in the series to date.

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John’s a senior editor covering phones for Tom’s Guide. He’s no stranger in this area having covered mobile phones and gadgets since 2008 when he started his career. On top of his editor duties, he’s a seasoned videographer being in front and behind the camera producing YouTube videos. Previously, he held editor roles with PhoneArena, Android Authority, Digital Trends, and SPY. Outside of tech, he enjoys producing mini documentaries and fun social clips for small businesses, enjoying the beach life at the Jersey Shore, and recently becoming a first time homeowner.

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