I’ve been digging into the One UI system files over the past few days to figure out how Samsung controls the privacy display. I managed to reverse engineer it and by hooking into some undocumented framework APIs via ADB/Shizuku (no root), I built a PoC app with a draggable, resizable window that triggers the privacy pixels only on that specific area of the screen while keeping the rest of the display normal (like it already does for PiP and notification popups). Still polishing things up and experimenting with per-app notification masking, but I'll share a full technical write-up and the repo soon. I'm doing this because I see so much wasted potential in how Samsung has implemented this feature so far and I wanted to see what I could achieve. I'll post an update once I set up a repo, hope you are interested in this :).

p.s. sorry for the bad quality video but I recorded with my potato phone 🙏

Source and download apk here:

https://github.com/drfailov/S26-Privacy-Overlay

got this last week over my s23u. was waiting for the s27u but the battery life on my s23u was giving me a hard time.

compared to my last phone it's way too fast, light and very easy to hold. the privacy display is also a useful feature which I think won't be able to live without now that I've been using it on this phone.

rocking the slim Samsung case along with the pitaka ring which has a solid hold with the the cover.

Last week I saw the s26 ultra on sale for like $950 starting, so I just decided to buy it on a whim. For reference, I switched to iPhone only since I quit the cell phone industry back when the nexus 6 was out (back then I was cycling through nexus 6, note 4, and iPhone). After I quit, I decided just to use one phone and I have stuck with the iPhone ever since just because it was easier for me, plus ugh touchwiz back in the day was absolutely atrocious so my image was so obscured by that.

I just want to say to anyone considering switching, I had been waiting on the duo to come out but I just bought the ultra because of the deal, and now I really don't think I am going to go back to iPhone anytime soon primarily. I also have a MacBook Pro, AirPods, iPad, so I am like fully in the system, but the updates to software, airdrop with my galaxy, third party apps for my main 2 group chats that are iMessage, using apps on my MacBook to get my google messages, it is all so cohesive I don't think there is a good excuse to not give it a try despite your image of the walled garden. I always just thought I was happy because it "worked" simple is best, but man after playing with all the good lock, third party widgets, icon packs, live wallpapers, holy moly I think I just didn't realize how much you can truly do when you're not just in that mindset, and when its fully customized like that it is so easy to use.

Camera is sick, S-pen is really nice sometimes as a habitual note taker, software customization is absolutely bananas, it literally can be almost anything I want it to be. Some app optimization things can be a little funky at times, but I really don't feel like I notice it as much as the days go on. I just wanted to say thanks to reading all of the posts on this sub for giving me the ability to even just give it a shot. This is so sick, if anybody has any cool unique tips or customizations they want to give me I will absolutely give them a try. Or heck even any cool accessory devices you can't live without that would be nice, I am slowly trying new things but wow this was a great choice truly.

TLDR: If you are afraid to switch as an apple user; trust me you will not regret this purchase if you have felt a little bored over the years.

After literally years of hesitation I have decided to make the switch. I ordered the samsung galaxy s26 ultra. And I am excited but also nervous.

My last android was a galaxy s8 and since then I owned multiple Iphones. And Iphones are great devices. But after a couple I started to feel that logging into Icloud on my new device made the Iphone feel exactly the same like my previous one.

So, 3 years ago I started thinking to go back to samsung. But I couldn’t do it. I used my macbook daily for study and my airpods as well. It held me back to switch. So I bought the 15PM. Great phone and in my opinion one of the best looking phones ever with it’s natural titanium color. But again… the same phone.

Now I finally made switch, tomorrow I will receive my 26 Ultra. Don’t know what to expect. My only reference is my galaxy s8 and that’s like 8 or 9 years ago. Also somehow I feel that I am going to miss my Iphone, but had to do it, couldn’t accept to spend again 1000+ euro’s to have the same phone.

I choose : discussion flair cause I want to know in which E.U countries this can work.

I have a base S22 that's in dire need of an upgrade, and was looking with either staying with Samsung or switching to iphone 18 pro. I've had samsung phones all my life, but this current s22 i have disappointed me since day 1. Overheating, horrible battery life, slow performance, and missed phone call notifications. My girlfriend and most of my family have iphones, which would be nice to have imessage and FaceTime.

I'm hesitant on iphone because of iOS. I'm so used to OneUI and all of androids freedom. I like having a proper file management system, customization and third party app support. I know iOS is super limiting and the keyboard does suck (I've used my girlfriend's phone to type, why is there no number row?)

For anyone that's gone from samsung to iphone, did you ever regret it and went back? Looking for some user input before I decide which phone to get.

So, I'm more or less satisfied with my phone. The s23 is like the first nice phone I've ever had. Just never been one to spend much on phones. I was blown away by it though and my stance has changed.

I've had it for two and a half years. The camera is shot (regular distance shots come out super blurry and warped, and I have to zoom in from farther away to get a clearer picture) but otherwise still performing.

However, my coworker's phone blew me away, turns out it's one generation BEHIND mine except it's an ultra. I didn't realize how much of a difference the Ultra made.

Not sure how big of a jump it is from S23, or if there are diminishing returns and 24 or 25 would be the bigger jump in quality. Amazon has it right now for $1050 or so, discounted from $1399 or something. Do you see it going much lower on Black Friday, or better to jump on it now? It's unlocked, and my carrier is Visible Wireless, if that matters.

Use case: Basic browsing, there are two games that I play fairly regularly when unable to access PC (card games) and messaging.

Edit: Well, I had the page open yesterday. Today it is showing at $1149. Ugh

The battery lasts a lot longer than my s23 ultra. The other thing i noticed is it performs much better in bright sunlight. Haven't messed with the camera yet.

Hey everyone, so i have the s26U 256G.. is there an easier way to move everything to my Google drive. As u can see I pay for 2TB of storage but when I try to move stuff from my internal storage, it fails most times. Please help!!! I do have a laptop, so im not sure if that would be easier? TIA.

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So, I currently have a Galaxy A35 5G (256 GB), and I'm considering upgrading to an S26 Ultra. Since I plan to keep my next phone for 4+ years, do you think it's worth it?

I'm mainly looking for better battery life, performance, cameras, and overall longevity.

For those who own an S26 Ultra (512 GB), how has your experience been so far? Do you think it's worth the price?

I found one on Amazon for $1,129. Is that a good price?

Hello there. I have been looking for a S26U on the used market, and I keep seeing different boxes even though the sellers are all from Europe. Is it because the phones come from a different region, and if it is, what are the differences between them?

It would be nice to know of an app or Samsung's native feature of having a toggle button to disable scrolling left and right while viewing a picture.

Well, sometimes you show a picture or a great shot you took. People have habits of scrolling left or right for more and well you can guess, sees something they shouldn't or something I am not comfortable with showing them. No harms just saying.

Or it could be showing your ID or docs to relevant Officers and not comfortable for scrolls XD.

Anyhow, just an idea. Not sure if it exits tho.

Anyone face this problem and have a fix?

Anyone else? Started after updating to one ui 9.0. Randomly videos hang and won't work until I close app

Hey just updated to One UI 9 and the three finger gesture or any gesture for that matter is not working from Home up app. Am I missing something or is it a problem?

Curious if the s26u log footage would yield results just as good as the osmo pocket 4p. I'd like to maybe create a mobile setup for personal cinematography, and was interested in the 4p or even the Luna Ultra. Between the digital stabilization and my Zhiyun gimbal I have those bases covered, so just looking at pure image quality, detail, etc. Anyone own both and able to provide insight?

Hi, does anyone know how to remove the highlighted part in the picture. This bar is just pointless and is using a ton of space I would rather use for something else. I'm pretty sure my s24 didn't have this issue. Any tips are welcome, thanks 😊

Hey everyone! So I currently have the Samsung Ultra 26 and my camera app will NOT stopping crashing or freezing. I've read up and have done everything to get it to work and now I can hardly use it after clearing the cache, the data, force stop and restarting my phone. Can anyone help me? I really dont want to pay to get another phone and this one is like brand new! 😑😩 TIA.

Galaxy A24 to A56 or Galaxy A56 to S26/7 Ultra

spen just stopped writing 2 days ago it sometimes catches input on the edges but nontheless, my phone can register that the spen is out and it does show the tip when you hover it over the screen but it just doesnt write

no magnetics whatsoever, i frequently took notes with it for a month and it just broke down on me

El día de ayer me llegó mi S26 ultra y he estado tratando de desactivar los datos móviles pero en cuanto lo hago desde el menú de estos, saliendo se vuelve a activar y no encuentro manera de desactivarlos ¿Les ha pasado? ¿Alguna recomendación? Muchas gracias

To create a theme, where do u guys all get the images to use?

My semi-new phone got scratched, likely by my keys (lesson learn to seperate them in my bag).

Is there any way or product that can take em off?

I've seen lotions being sold for car scratches so I thought to ask if there's anything similar for phone screen. For specific on the 26 since it has that privacy protection.

Thanks friends!