Xiaomi tests privacy display feature nearly identical to Samsung's implementation

Xiaomi is testing a "Smart privacy display" feature that appears functionally identical to the implementation on Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra, according to screenshots shared on X by leaker Kacper Skrzypek (@kacskrz). Like Samsung's version, the feature combines pixel-level control of screen light that reduces off-angle visibility with Xiaomi's own front-camera-based gaze detection, which alerts the user when someone else is looking at the screen from behind or from the side.

The scoping options match Samsung's implementation as well: the feature can run device-wide, be limited to selected apps, or apply only to notifications, which are shown with partial privacy protection rather than being fully hidden. Xiaomi's in-app privacy statement says that face and gaze detection is processed entirely on-device, with no data uploaded to Xiaomi Cloud or shared with third parties.

Xiaomi also detailed the drawbacks of enabling this option: a slight increase in power draw, automatic disabling under Battery Saver, a pause during HDR content previews, suspension in landscape mode with a restart upon returning to portrait, and a lack of support for some third-party themes.

Skrzypek recorded the demo on a global ROM build and says the feature is tied to an unnamed upcoming flagship, likely in the Xiaomi 18 series. As with any pre-release software found in testing builds, the feature set and rollout scope may change before it reaches retail units.