Xiaomi has confirmed that its next flagship, the Xiaomi 18 Pro, will include a hardware‑based smart privacy display. The feature, announced through a teaser on the Chinese micro‑blogging platform Weibo, mirrors the privacy technology recently introduced by Samsung on its Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Hardware‑based privacy display
According to the company’s statement, the privacy effect is built directly into the screen panel rather than relying on a software overlay or a third‑party screen protector. When the privacy mode is active, the display remains fully visible to a viewer positioned directly in front of the device. Anyone looking from an angle greater than 60 degrees, however, will see the screen become dramatically darker, with side brightness dropping to roughly 1% of the normal level. This reduction makes the content appear almost completely black to side viewers.
Samsung’s earlier implementation of a Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra also uses hardware to limit side‑angle visibility, but Xiaomi claims its version avoids a drawback observed in Samsung’s approach. Samsung’s feature, the company notes, can cause a slight dimming of the screen for the primary user when the privacy mode is enabled. Xiaomi asserts that its smart privacy screen will not compromise the normal front‑on viewing experience, keeping the primary user’s view as bright as when the feature is off.
Software controls and launch timeline
Beyond the physical screen behavior, Xiaomi is adding software controls that determine when the privacy mode engages. The company says the system can automatically protect specific notifications that appear on the lock screen, ensuring that sensitive alerts remain hidden from side observers. Additionally, the privacy function is designed to work with floating windows, extending protection to multitasking interfaces that appear over other apps.
The announcement comes as part of a broader reveal of the Xiaomi 18 series, which the company has already described as featuring a “magical rear display.” While details about the rear panel remain limited, the inclusion of a front‑facing smart privacy screen marks a significant addition to the series’ feature set.
Xiaomi indicated that the 18 series, including the 18 Pro, is set to launch in just a few days. The proximity of the launch suggests that hands‑on reviews and real‑world testing of the privacy display will become available shortly after the devices reach market.
Industry observers have noted that privacy screens have become a point of differentiation for premium smartphones, as consumers increasingly seek ways to protect personal information in public settings. By integrating the technology at the hardware level and pairing it with selective software triggers, Xiaomi aims to position the 18 Pro as a compelling alternative to Samsung’s offering.
While the company has not disclosed pricing, availability regions, or detailed technical specifications beyond the privacy screen’s side‑angle brightness figure, the confirmation of the feature adds another layer of expectation to the upcoming launch. Potential buyers will likely evaluate how the Xiaomi implementation compares in practice to Samsung’s established solution, particularly regarding any perceived dimming for the primary user and the responsiveness of the software controls.
In summary, the Xiaomi 18 Pro’s smart privacy screen promises a front‑clear view with a side‑angle brightness reduction to about 1% beyond 60 degrees, automatic protection for lock‑screen notifications, and compatibility with floating windows. The feature will be part of the device’s official launch in the coming days, offering a direct hardware‑level privacy option that Xiaomi claims improves on Samsung’s earlier design.
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