A report from Tom's Guide reveals that lab tests show the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's display is darker than its predecessor, the S25 Ultra, even with the Privacy Display feature turned off.
The findings suggest the hardware-integrated Privacy Display technology, which blocks side-angle viewing to protect on-screen information, may be responsible for a reduction in peak brightness. The S26 Ultra measured 1,806 nits compared to the S25 Ultra's 1,860 nits.
While the difference may be subtle head-on, it's more noticeable at wider angles. The privacy feature, a first for smartphones, uses a specialized pixel structure to control light direction. Experts note that similar dimming occurs with traditional privacy screen protectors, but here it's built into the device's hardware.
Despite the brightness trade-off, early impressions suggest the privacy functionality is highly effective, leading some reviewers to state they would accept the compromise for the added security.