Khaberni - Samsung launched its new flagship phone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, equipped for the first time with an innovative screen technology aimed at protecting user privacy.
This feature allows hiding screen content from the eyes of others, but it has also sparked controversy about its impact on the user experience and picture quality.
The phone relies on a screen containing two different types of pixels: one emits light conventionally at a wide angle, and the other directs light straight forward only.
When privacy mode is activated, only the directed pixels work, making it difficult for anyone sitting next to the user to see the content, according to a report published by PhoneArena.
Samsung offers multiple customization options for the mode, where privacy can be automatically activated for certain applications or while entering sensitive information such as Personal Identification Numbers (PIN).
It is also possible to hide only a specific part of the screen, such as notifications, while the rest of the content remains visible as usual, thanks to precise pixel-level control.
Eye strain.. Challenges of daily use
Despite the innovation, some users have noted that the screen may cause eye strain after short periods of use, even when not in privacy mode.
Close-up images have shown that the screen resolution is slightly lower compared to the previous generation Galaxy S25 Ultra, which could lead to rapid visual fatigue when reading texts for prolonged periods.
Among the major criticisms is that image clarity declines when using the highest levels of privacy protection. The contrast decreases, and colors appear less vibrant, making the feature only suitable for situations involving the protection of sensitive content in public places.
In addition, the actual hiding angles are limited, and some nearby people may still be able to see parts of the screen.
The anti-reflective layer.. Performs slightly less
Users have also noticed that the anti-reflective layer in the new screen appears to be less effective compared to the previous generation, a feature Samsung had previously enhanced to ease seeing the screen under strong lighting.
Some experts speculate that this setback is linked to the new privacy screen technology, although the exact cause has not been confirmed.
