Samsung ad confirms rumors of a useful S26 ‘privacy display’

Samsung has released a new ad for its upcoming Galaxy S26 launch that all but confirms rumors of a new display with a built-in privacy mode. Leaked videos show that the feature might be able to entirely hide content from apps or specific parts of the screen when viewed from an angle.

The new ad shows a woman reading a racy romance novel on a subway, while curious passengers look over her shoulder. An overlay shows a quick “Zero Privacy” toggle, which hides exciting content from curious viewers.

This may be similar to existing privacy filters, available as aftermarket screen protectors for years, or built into products including some HP laptops. But leaks indicate that what Samsung has in store for the S26 lineup is different.

It would use a new type of OLED panel that Samsung Display first launched two years ago at MWC 2024, called Flex Magic Pixel. It allows viewing angles to be adjusted pixel by pixel, so the privacy effect is only applied to certain parts of the screen at a time. Combined with some AI, this means it could automatically protect sensitive information in a banking app, or be used to hide notifications in a messaging app, as shown in this short video clip shared by reliable leaker Ice Universe.

We’ll know more soon enough: Samsung has confirmed that its Unpacked launch event will take place later this month, on February 25.