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| The Samsung S26 Ultra with Privacy Display (maximum) activated, a feature that Xiaomi is tipped to copy |
In the fast-paced world of smartphone technology, privacy is rapidly becoming the new battleground. While we have spent years obsessing over camera megapixels and screen refresh rates, the focus is now shifting to who else is looking at those screens. It appears Xiaomi is taking a page directly out of Samsung’s playbook to address this concern.
According to fresh leaks out of the Android development community, Xiaomi is actively testing a new security feature known as "Smart Privacy Display." If the name sounds familiar, that is because the functionality appears to be a near-perfect clone of the technology Samsung introduced with the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
The details come from prominent leaker Kacper Skrzypek (@kacskrz), who shared screenshots and a video demonstration on X. The feature is currently baked into a testing build of Xiaomi’s global ROM, and it provides a fascinating glimpse into the future of mobile security.
How the Technology Works
The core concept behind Xiaomi's implementation is a two-pronged approach to privacy: limiting the physical viewing angle of the screen and using the selfie camera to detect "shoulder surfers."
The first layer relies on pixel-level control of the screen light. This is a hardware/software hybrid trick that manipulates the backlight or the OLED pixels to significantly reduce off-angle visibility. Essentially, if you are looking at the phone straight on, the screen looks normal. If someone tries to read your screen from the side or over your shoulder, the content appears dimmed or obscured.
The second layer is where Xiaomi’s software gets smart. The system utilizes the front-facing camera for continuous gaze detection. Unlike a simple dimming filter, Xiaomi’s version uses the camera to look for faces other than the primary user. When it detects that a second pair of eyes is glancing at your display from an angle, it triggers a visual alert, warning you that your privacy may be compromised.
Scoping and Customization Options
Like Samsung’s iteration, Xiaomi understands that users don’t want this feature running constantly for every single task. The leak reveals a granular set of controls that allow users to dictate exactly when the Smart Privacy Display is active.
The scoping options match Samsung’s implementation almost verbatim. Users can run the feature device-wide, meaning it is always active regardless of the app. Alternatively, it can be limited to selected apps—perfect for banking apps, messaging platforms, or password managers. There is also a middle ground option for notifications, which applies partial privacy protection to pop-up alerts without fully hiding them from the user.
Perhaps the most important aspect for privacy advocates is Xiaomi’s promise regarding data handling. According to the in-app privacy statement found in the build, the face and gaze detection is processed entirely on-device. Xiaomi explicitly states that no biometric data is uploaded to Xiaomi Cloud or shared with third parties.
That's how "Smart privacy display" options will look on supported #Xiaomi device (likely upcoming flagship).
— Kacper Skrzypek 🇵🇱 (@kacskrz) August 28, 2026
Video recorded on Global ROM. "Page privacy display" and Xiaomi Hyper XiaoAi groups are, at least for now, available only on China ROM. pic.twitter.com/AigocVrasZ
The Trade-Offs: Battery Life and Limitations
As with any advanced display feature, enabling Smart Privacy Display isn’t without its drawbacks. Xiaomi has detailed these limitations within the settings menu, providing a transparent look at the user experience trade-offs.
First, there is a slight increase in power draw. Running the camera for gaze detection and manipulating pixels inevitably uses more battery than a standard display mode. To mitigate this, the system is designed to automatically disable when Battery Saver mode is activated.
There are also functional limitations. The feature will pause during HDR content previews, as HDR requires the full gamut of the display’s lighting capabilities which conflicts with the privacy filter. Furthermore, the feature is reportedly suspended in landscape mode to accommodate video watching and gaming. It is designed to restart automatically upon returning to portrait orientation.
Finally, Xiaomi warns of a lack of support for some third-party themes, meaning heavy customization might break the feature.
Watch the demonstration of the feature in action here.
Which Device Will Get It First?
While the feature was uncovered on a global ROM build, Skrzypek notes that it is tied to an unnamed upcoming flagship. Given Xiaomi’s current release cadence, it is highly likely that this technology is being prepared for the Xiaomi 18 series.
The implementation suggests that Xiaomi is preparing specific hardware to support the efficient pixel-level control required for this feature. While it may technically work on older hardware via software updates, the battery drain would likely be prohibitive, which is why it is likely reserved for the next generation of flagships.
It is worth noting that the feature is currently in a testing phase. As with any pre-release software found in nightly builds or closed betas, the feature set and rollout scope may change before it reaches retail units. Xiaomi could decide to tweak the interface, rename the feature, or limit it to specific regions upon official launch.
The Industry Trend
Xiaomi’s move signals a broader industry trend toward software-driven security. Samsung pioneered this specific combination of pixel lighting and gaze detection, and now Chinese OEMs are following suit. For users who frequently travel on public transport or work in crowded offices, this technology offers a practical solution to a very real problem.
If Xiaomi successfully implements this without causing excessive battery drain—and manages to keep the processing truly on-device—the Smart Privacy Display could become a major selling point for the upcoming Xiaomi 18 lineup. It marks a shift from pure hardware bragging rights to a focus on user-centric security features that solve everyday problems.