Privacy screens explained after Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra launch

11 articles · Updated · NBC News · Apr 29

The NBC Select report says the S26 Ultra includes a built-in privacy screen, while most separate phone privacy screens cost under $50 and are usually two-way.
It says privacy screens narrow viewing angles, helping protect banking or work information in crowded places, but can reduce brightness, hinder sharing content and make phone mounts harder to use.
The report says four-way privacy screens block views from all sides but cost more, and suggests non-Samsung users may be better off buying a separate screen rather than upgrading phones.

With Samsung integrating this feature, is the multi-billion dollar aftermarket screen protector industry now facing an inevitable decline?

Does a physical privacy screen create a false sense of security, distracting users from more pervasive digital surveillance threats?