The new digital anxiety: 8 out of 10 people fear that someone will look at their phone screen, according to a study

Galaxy S26 Ultra incorporates an ‘Integrated Privacy Screen’ at the pixel level, a new technology that darkens the content of the screen from any angle other than the front, to reduce visibility from outsiders.

The feature, which introduces visual privacy, can be activated depending on the context of use and adapted to sensitive moments, such as accessing certain applications or entering login credentials.

According to the study, 71 percent of Spaniards consider that visual privacy is as important as the protection of personal data. And yet, current solutions have barely penetrated into everyday life: only 10 percent use physical filters to protect their screen, mainly due to lack of knowledge or considering them uncomfortable or impractical.

Therefore, when considering what type of solution would be most useful, 64 percent responded that they would prefer a system integrated directly into the device rather than an external accessory.

“In line with Samsung’s commitment to cybersecurity, we respond to this new reality with a Privacy Screen integrated into the Galaxy S26 and with a generation of AI designed to simplify everyday life without compromising security or user control,” explains the vice president of the Mobility area at Samsung Electronics, David Alonso.

Changing expectations with AI

The study also detects a phenomenon known as ‘AI Fatigue’, which appears when this technology is no longer perceived as a novelty, but has become a regular presence in digital life, changing users’ expectations of it.

Specifically, the study highlights ‘AI Fatigue’ with an average fatigue score of 5.5 out of 10. Furthermore, the adoption of AI has grown by 60 percent compared to two years ago, but this progress does not automatically translate into greater confidence: 70 percent of Spaniards believe that AI promises more than it actually does for them.

In this context, Samsung has highlighted that the Galaxy S26 series integrates privacy and artificial intelligence in a more natural, visible and understandable way for the user; combines personalization on the device itself with new layers of protection and transparency, so that sensitive information remains protected and the user has more clarity about how it is used.

Added to this are functions designed for real everyday moments. The ‘call filter’, for example, allows the phone to answer unknown calls, identify who is calling and display a summary before the user decides to answer, reducing annoyances and risks associated with ‘spam’ or fraud.

Additionally, ‘Privacy Alerts’ warn you when an app is unnecessarily accessing sensitive permissions, and ‘Private Album’ adds an extra layer of protection for personal photos and videos within the Gallery itself. The ecosystem also reinforces its protection with Knox Matrix.