Galaxy S27 Ultra Privacy Display: Split-screen dimming could arrive in 2027

What is Privacy Display and why does it matter?

Privacy Display is a screen feature that makes it harder for people next to you — so-called shoulder surfers — to see what is on your phone. Samsung introduced this feature with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It uses hardware-level dimming to narrow the viewing angle of the screen. When you turn it on, only the person directly in front of the phone can see the content clearly. Anyone looking from the side sees a darkened or blurred screen.

This is useful on a crowded train, in a coffee shop, or anywhere you do not want strangers reading your messages, emails, or banking details. The Galaxy S26 Ultra set a high bar for this kind of privacy protection. But other phone makers have started to add their own twists.

What the Galaxy S27 Ultra might add

What this means for Galaxy S27 Ultra Privacy Display

According to a post on X by the well-known leaker Ice Universe, the Galaxy S27 Ultra could gain a split-screen version of Privacy Display. The leaker says the feature was first seen on the Xiaomi 18 Pro series, which launched in late 2026. In split-screen mode, you would be able to dim just one app window while keeping the other app fully visible. As you resize the windows, the dimming follows the protected app.

Imagine you are using a banking app on one side of the screen and a web browser on the other. With split-screen Privacy Display, only the banking app would be dimmed for onlookers. The browser stays normal. That is a big step forward from the current system, which dims the entire screen at once.

Samsung still leads in dimming strength

Even though Xiaomi got to the split-screen idea first, Ice Universe says Samsung still has the upper hand in what he calls "pure privacy-screen strength." In plain terms, the Galaxy S26 Ultra's dimming is more effective at blocking side views than the Xiaomi 18 Pro's system. Samsung's hardware-level approach may simply be better at darkening the screen for anyone not looking straight at it.

But Xiaomi's Smart Privacy Display offers more features overall. The leaker notes that the Xiaomi 18 Pro series has a larger number of screen-dimming options. Samsung could close that gap by adding split-screen dimming to the Galaxy S27 Ultra. If the leak is correct, the next Samsung flagship would combine the best dimming quality with a more flexible privacy mode.

When to expect the Galaxy S27 Ultra

Samsung typically announces its Ultra flagship in January or February each year. The Galaxy S26 Ultra launched in early 2026. Following that pattern, the Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to arrive in early 2027. That gives Samsung several months to finalize the hardware and software features.

If the split-screen Privacy Display makes the cut, it would be one of the headline privacy features for the phone. It could also appear on the standard Galaxy S27, but the leaker specifically mentioned the Ultra model. As always, plans can change before a phone goes into mass production.

How this compares to other privacy features

Privacy screens are not new. Some people use physical screen protectors that limit viewing angles. But those protectors also reduce screen brightness and clarity for the main user. Software-based Privacy Display, like Samsung's, avoids that trade-off. It dims the screen only when you want it to, and only for side viewers.

The split-screen idea is a natural evolution. Many people use split-screen mode to multitask — for example, watching a video while replying to a message. With the current system, enabling Privacy Display dims both windows. The new approach lets you keep one window fully visible while protecting the other. That is a more practical design for real-world use.

For more on how Samsung's privacy tools work, check out our mobile security guides. You can also compare the Galaxy S26 Ultra with other phones using our phone comparison tool.

What this means for your next phone: Galaxy S27 Ultra

If you care about screen privacy, the Galaxy S27 Ultra looks like it could be a strong choice. The combination of top-tier dimming quality and a more flexible split-screen mode would make it easier to keep sensitive information private without turning the whole screen dark.

For now, the Galaxy S26 Ultra already offers excellent Privacy Display. But if you often use split-screen mode with apps like banking, email, or password managers, waiting for the S27 Ultra could be worth it. The new feature would let you protect just the app that matters most.

Stay tuned to our mobile news section for updates as we get closer to the launch. You can also read our full Galaxy S26 review to see how the current model handles privacy. And if you are shopping for a phone right now, our best phones guide can help you compare options.