The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has made TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 list, with its built-in Privacy Display earning recognition. The technology addresses the familiar problem of keeping messages, passwords and other personal information hidden from people looking at smartphones’ screens in public.
Unlike a conventional privacy screen protector, which restricts viewing angles across the display, Samsung’s solution is built into the phone’s screen and can be switched on when needed. Users can also apply it to specific parts of the display, such as the PIN entry screen or notifications that appear at the top.
This gives users the option to hide sensitive information without having to make the entire screen harder to view. TIME highlights this flexibility, which makes it one of the notable inventions on the list. The technology does have some limitations too, though, like every other cool piece of tech. Its effectiveness can vary under different lighting conditions, and certain screen elements may look inconsistent when Privacy Display is active. Even so, it offers an alternative to a separate privacy film, which interferes with the display for users.
Samsung may continue with the feature in its next flagship lineup. According to rumours, the Galaxy S27 series could include Privacy Display when it launches early next year. Samsung has yet to confirm whether the technology will feature in the upcoming phones.
TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026 list also features products such as the Dumbphone 2 and Clicks Power Keyboard. The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s inclusion puts the spotlight on a practical screen feature rather than the processor or camera upgrades that typically dominate flagship phone coverage.
