According to RBC-Ukraine, citing a post by tech analyst Kacper Skrzypek, Xiaomi has been testing a new feature called Smart Privacy Display in a closed firmware build. Judging by the leaked software published by the insider, the technology combines hardware and software solutions aimed at protecting the screen's content from prying eyes. Experts estimate that, in terms of capabilities, the new feature almost entirely replicates the similar solution that Samsung is already implementing in its smartphones, making the leak particularly revealing of the Chinese vendor's competitive strategy.
How Smart Privacy Display works: two levels of protection
According to the disclosed details, the feature is built on two mechanisms. The first is the adjustment of viewing angles: the system performs pixel-level light control of the display, which reduces the visibility of the image when the screen is viewed from the side. The second is gaze detection: the front camera, using gaze detection algorithms, analyzes the space around the device and alerts the user if someone is looking at the screen from behind or from the side. According to the analyst, the developers have provided several operating modes for the technology, allowing flexible configuration of the protection behavior.
Data privacy: everything is processed on-device
The approach to personal data processing deserves separate attention. According to the tech expert, all information from the front camera is processed exclusively locally, on the smartphone itself. The company, as stated in the leak, does not upload face photos or gaze-direction data to Xiaomi Cloud and does not share them with third parties. This approach addresses some of the main concerns about face-recognition-based features, which previously raised fears about biometric data leaking to the cloud.
Technical trade-offs and the link to Samsung
Xiaomi, judging by the leak, also disclosed a list of technical trade-offs inherent in using the feature: pixel-level light control and the operation of gaze detection algorithms require additional hardware and software resources, which may affect display behavior and battery life in active mode. The very fact that the set of capabilities closely mirrors Samsung's solution indicates that screen anti-peeping protection is becoming a standard for the flagship segment, rather than a unique feature of a single brand.
Contradictory data
The sources contain discrepancies that are important to take into account. First, the leak was found in a global test software build, yet in the same post the analyst notes that the video was recorded on the Global ROM, while the 'Page privacy display' groups and those related to Xiaomi Hyper XiaoAi are, according to him, largely available only on the China ROM. In other words, the actual geographic availability of the feature at the time of the leak is not entirely clear. Second, in the base text the future host of the technology is described as 'likely the Xiaomi 18 lineup,' while a number of foreign outlets (in particular, the Romanian start-up.ro) specify the model range as the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max. As of the time of publication, there is no official confirmation from either Xiaomi or Samsung on either detail.
When to expect it: a focus on the Xiaomi 18 lineup
Based on the combined leaks, the new technology will most likely be tied to the upcoming flagship from the Xiaomi 18 lineup, with more precise models (Pro / Pro Max) named in foreign retellings. Since the feature was found in test software, its final implementation, set of modes, and regional availability may change by the time of the official announcement. Until Xiaomi itself makes a statement, all details should be treated as insider information rather than a confirmed specification.
