Galaxy S26 Ultra's unique privacy feature you won't find on Apple's iPhone 18 Pro

Besides its first foldable iPhone, Apple unveiled two other high-end smartphones this week: the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. They both feature faster processors, a variable aperture camera, and bigger batteries, but they lack a unique privacy feature that is available on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Apple started offering an anti-reflective coating on its recent iPhones, inspired by the Galaxy S24 Ultra that was launched two years ago. However, the company still hasn't implemented the Privacy Display feature that Samsung debuted with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This means iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max users are left vulnerable to shoulder surfing.

The Privacy Display feature is powered by Samsung Display's Flex Magic Pixel OLED panel, which utilizes two types of pixels: wide and narrow. Narrow-angle pixels feature a multi-layer Black Matrix structure around them that prevents emitted light from traveling sideways.

When Privacy Display is active, the wide-angle pixels are turned off, and only the narrow-angle pixels remain active. Since the light they emit only travels straight forward, bystanders cannot see what is on the screen. You can read about it in more detail by clicking here.

This capability is highly effective at stopping others from viewing sensitive data, such as confidential files or private notifications.

The feature works across the entire screen or within a specific area, and it can be activated or deactivated on a per-app basis. It can also be programmed to turn on automatically when the phone is used outside a home or other safe locations. It can also be activated automatically based on conditions like your location, Wi-Fi connection, time of day, or battery level.

It is a groundbreaking addition for anyone who takes their privacy seriously. Because Apple has not yet adopted this technology for any of its devices, including the newest iPhones, Samsung continues to hold a distinct advantage over its primary rival.