Xiaomi’s Next Move: Mimicking Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra Privacy Display

Since the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in early March, the tech world has been eagerly anticipating who would be the first to replicate its impressive new Privacy Display feature.

The answer to that question may have surfaced, and it’s none other than Samsung’s major Android competitor.

As per reliable tipster Yogesh Brar, Xiaomi is reportedly developing a Privacy Display-like feature. It is rumored to debut with the company’s upcoming HyperOS 4 UI update (based on Android 17) later this year.

This information suggests that Xiaomi’s approach might differ significantly from Samsung’s, both in its advantages and limitations.

Reasons why Xiaomi’s implementation may not match up:

It appears that Xiaomi is leaning towards a software-based solution for its anti-shoulder-peeking mechanism, while Samsung’s original Privacy Display was hardware-driven.

The Flex Magic Pixel technology in the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra can manipulate light output in a specific direction, effectively hiding selected content from unauthorized viewers.

While a software-only approach might be more restrictive, if it becomes available on all compatible HyperOS 4 devices, numerous Xiaomi phones could potentially benefit. In contrast, Privacy Display is currently limited to the S26 Ultra.

However, this doesn’t rule out the possibility of Xiaomi also exploring a hardware solution alongside the HyperOS 4 UI update. Typically, software features are revealed in code before any hardware-related leaks emerge.

This sequence mirrors the initial leaks surrounding Samsung’s Privacy Display feature.

We admire Samsung’s innovative Privacy Display feature, although it does come with certain drawbacks. The screen of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is technically dimmer and less sharp compared to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Nevertheless, if you frequently encounter shoulder-surfing intruders during your daily travels, the trade-off might be well worth it.