Samsung’s next flagship mobile device might take smartphone privacy to a whole new level.
Have you ever used a privacy screen protector? You know, those protectors you install on your mobile device to keep nosy onlookers at bay? Well, you may not need one with Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra model.
According to TechRadar and various other reports, Samsung will equip its latest flagship model with a new display system allegedly called 'Flex Magic Pixel'. It would allow only the person directly in front of the phone to clearly see what's being displayed.
This technology was previously showcased at MWC Barcelona and K-Display earlier this year.
How Samsung's New Privacy Screen Works
Leaked images provide an insight into how dynamic you can expect the rumored Flex Magic Pixel feature to work.
There will be a list of 'Privacy Triggers', which are the parameters that, if met, would automatically activate measures to limit the screen's visibility to those around you. One such trigger is public places.
Additionally, privacy measures can be triggered by the content you have on your screen. This includes passwords, PINs, and photos in the Gallery app that 'contain privacy or images with image protection.'
Interestingly, the Flex Magic Pixel feature can obscure the whole screen and parts of the screen. Take note of the 'Which part' section, which showcases a toggle that allows you to activate or deactivate privacy measures for notifications and picture-in-picture sessions.
As reported by SamMobile, the automatic act of obscuring the screen is achieved by AI, which this technology uses to 'control individual OLED panels to adjust viewing angles.' Think of Flex Magic Pixel as a digital version of a privacy screen protector built right into the phone.
Why Samsung Might Be Doing This
This move fits neatly into Samsung’s current push to add meaningful, AI-driven features to its Galaxy lineup. This was exhibited in the recent One UI 8.0 launch, where AI Results View and Galaxy AI optimized for larger screens were among the key additions. With Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra expected to debut in early 2026, the company appears to be targeting both premium users and privacy-conscious consumers with Flex Magic Pixel.
Still, there are questions about how well this privacy display will work in practice. Reducing side visibility could also lower the screen’s brightness or contrast, and continuous adjustments might impact battery life — similar to what happens with the existing Adaptive Brightness feature.
Another concern is how Samsung will ensure that the process remains private and handled locally if the phone uses AI to detect nearby faces.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to introduce an array of other new features, including a 6.9-inch AMOLED panel and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It is also believed that Samsung will continue with the 5,000mAh battery capacity that it has maintained since the Galaxy S20 Ultra.