The display of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has recently become the center of debate on technology forums, with some users complaining about eye strain and headaches after prolonged use.

Many people still remember the familiar warning from parents during childhood: “Don’t sit too close to the TV screen.” Today, a similar warning could apply to smartphones, devices we stare at for hours every day.

Because of this, evaluating a modern smartphone display involves more than just size or brightness. Eye protection technologies, such as blue light reduction and higher PWM frequencies to reduce flickering, have become increasingly important.

For some users, these factors may even matter more than resolution or peak brightness.

This has raised questions about whether Samsung’s decision to integrate privacy protection technology directly into the Galaxy S26 Ultra display might be affecting the viewing experience - traditionally one of the strongest features of the Galaxy Ultra series.

From eye strain to headaches

Beyond image quality concerns, some users believe the new Privacy Display feature on the S26 Ultra may cause eye fatigue during extended use.

The issue recently gained attention on Reddit, where a user shared that they experienced not only eye strain but also headaches when using the Galaxy S26 Ultra screen for long periods.

According to the post, the Privacy Display feature “significantly reduces the viewing angle” of the screen. As a result, the eyes must work harder to adjust focus.

Even well-known tech insiders, including Ice Universe, have begun expressing doubts about the new display technology.

The Reddit user reported difficulty focusing on small text, especially blue hyperlinks or URLs in web browsers.

The problem becomes more noticeable when the phone is viewed from a slightly tilted angle and then returned to a straight viewing position. Changes in brightness and pixel clarity force the eyes to continuously refocus, sometimes leading to discomfort or headaches.

The user also noticed inconsistencies in the display of white colors. When the phone tilts, some pixels appear darker while others remain bright. When returning to a direct viewing angle, the narrower pixels suddenly stand out.

According to the user, these rapid visual changes make it harder for the eyes to adapt, particularly when reading text or blue hyperlinks on white backgrounds.

Not everyone is affected

However, the issue does not appear to affect all users.

Some people may not notice any difference or discomfort when using the display.

Nevertheless, for users who frequently read long texts on their smartphones - such as news articles, emails or documents - the experience may become uncomfortable over time. This is especially important for those planning to use the device for several years.

It is also worth noting that reading long texts on smartphones is generally not ideal. Dedicated e-readers with e-ink displays are still far more comfortable for the eyes compared with illuminated smartphone screens, even when those phones include eye-protection features.

The Reddit user concluded with an observation worth considering: while new display technologies may introduce exciting features such as privacy protection, the fundamental purpose of a screen is still to display content clearly and comfortably.

If a feature makes viewing content more difficult, it may need to be reconsidered.

For the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Privacy Display is clearly an innovative idea. However, early reactions from the tech community suggest that even the most exciting innovations must pass one key test: whether they truly improve everyday user experience.

Hai Phong