Is the Galaxy S26 Extremely's Privateness Show higher than a privateness display screen protector? We examined each

[ad_1] <img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="eager" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Privacy Display Settings" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Privacy-Display-Settings-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Privacy-Display-Settings-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Privacy-Display-Settings-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Privacy-Display-Settings-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Privacy-Display-Settings-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Privacy-Display-Settings-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Privacy-Display-Settings-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Privacy-Display-Settings-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Privacy-Display-Settings-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Privacy Display Settings" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Privacy-Display-Settings-scaled.jpg"/> Adamya Sharma / Android Authority

TL;DR

The Galaxy S26 Extremely’s Privateness Show is a hardware-level function that controls mild dispersion on the pixel degree to cover display screen content material. Whereas bodily privateness display screen protectors supply higher side-angle “blackout,” they undergo from everlasting display screen dimming and include a rougher matte texture. Samsung’s answer permits customers to toggle privateness for particular apps or display screen areas, making it a superior expertise regardless of a slight privateness trade-off.

One of many largest promoting factors of the Galaxy S26 Extremely is the brand new Privateness Show function. This can be a hardware-level function that controls how mild is dispersed by the show’s pixels. However simply how nicely does Privateness Show work, and might it give privateness display screen protectors a run for his or her cash? My colleague C. Scott Brown utilized an costly and branded privateness display screen protector to a Galaxy S25 Extremely and in contrast it to the Privateness Show function on the Galaxy S26 Extremely. Right here’s our expertise:

As Scott notes, the privateness display screen protector really did a greater job of stopping folks from seeing what was on the display screen. Nonetheless, the Galaxy S26 Extremely is far nicer to truly use, as privateness display screen protectors have a matte texture that doesn’t let your finger glide throughout as easily as naked glass.

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<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge light@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge light@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png"/><img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge dark@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge dark@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png"/> Furthermore, privateness display screen protectors are likely to darken your display screen total. This discount in show brightness straight impacts your show expertise, particularly when watching motion pictures or clicking photographs. Since these privateness display screen protectors are one-time-application solely, you'll be able to’t “flip off” the function whenever you don’t want it and re-enable it whenever you do. It’s a semi-permanent set up, so it's essential dwell with the trade-offs till you determine to ditch the display screen protector altogether.

However, because the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s Privateness Show will be managed by software program, you'll be able to simply toggle it off whenever you don’t want it. Additional, you'll be able to apply it to particular apps and even particular components of your show, providing you with far higher flexibility and management over all the expertise.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely Privateness show • Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy • Energy AI options •

Highly effective flagship with top-tier cameras, AI, and privateness options.

The Galaxy S26 Extremely is Samsung's slimmest and lightest Extremely but, pairing a 6.9-inch 10-bit show with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and a redesigned cooling system. It doubles down on imaging with a brighter 200MP important digital camera, upgraded zoom, superior 8K video options, and Extremely-exclusive privateness and Galaxy AI instruments.

So though the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s Privateness Show is a bit of inferior at defending your privateness in comparison with devoted privateness display screen protectors, it nonetheless emerges as a way more fulfilling and helpful expertise. It ought to get the job executed for most individuals, however those that want the utmost degree of privateness always should discover a privateness display screen protector helpful.