Screen burden: Antispyware displays can be dangerous to vision
Antispyware screens can harm users' health, experts say. According to ophthalmologists, the technology is safe only for short—term use, whereas prolonged work with such displays can lead to vision problems, in particular asthenopia - visual fatigue. The original function of hiding the screen from prying eyes was first introduced by Samsung. However, as Izvestia found out, it is being massively copied by Chinese companies that use cheaper components for screens. This can make such screens potentially more dangerous for vision.
How can smartphones with antispyware screens be dangerous?
Antispyware screens can pose a risk to vision, while the extent of their harm is not fully understood, experts say. According to them, any screen affects the eyes primarily because of the short-wavelength blue light. And when using displays with the new feature, it is more difficult for the eyes to distinguish details, which increases the visual load.
— Short-wavelength blue light leads to visual fatigue and oxidative stress. In antispyware screens, an additional factor is a decrease in contrast sensitivity, and prolonged work without interruptions and the use of gadgets before bedtime can lead to sleep disorders," explained Sergey Serkov, ophthalmologist at the city polyclinic No. 2.
Samsung has previously introduced advanced Privacy Display technology, but its analogues are already being developed on the market. According to a profile insider of Digital Chat Station, similar solutions may appear in new smartphone models of Honor, iQOO, OnePlus, realme, Xiaomi and vivo brands. Official confirmations from manufacturers have not yet been received, however, according to leaks, many of these devices will be noticeably cheaper than the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone has received an improved matrix with high brightness and accurate color reproduction, so that the screen remains readable even in bright light. The flagship also stands out for its extensive functionality. At the same time, the pre-installed Perplexity application on Galaxy S26 smartphones is available in Russia. Pre-orders for the gadget are open. The smartphone was provided to the editorial staff for testing by the Galaxystore chain of branded stores.
Antispyware screens work due to the built-in microstructure that limits the spread of light and reduces the brightness of the image, explained Artem Aksyanov, director of the Web development department at Synergy University.
— A microstructure is embedded inside the film or glass, allowing light to pass through only when viewed directly. Any such design reduces light transmission and degrades contrast, which makes the eyes get tired faster: they have to strain harder to distinguish the image," he explained.
According to him, it is better to use such screens only when necessary.
— This protection is a tool for specific conditions. If you work with your phone for a long time, you need to pause and adjust the brightness to match the lighting. For everyday use, it is better to leave a regular screen," the expert concluded.
Privacy Display technology is an additional layer that limits viewing angles and can cause color distortion. At the same time, interest in new devices remains high, despite the general decline in the market, said Eldar Murtazin, editor-in-chief of Mobile-Review.
As a confirmation of demand, the expert noted that more than 10 thousand devices have already been shipped on pre-orders, and within a month sales of Galaxy S26 smartphones could reach about 30 thousand units.
IT expert Sergey Pomortsev also noted that the built-in privacy mode can degrade image quality. According to him, the decrease in brightness is due to the features of the technology, and the additional layer in the screen affects the viewing angles even when the function is disabled.
— When the mode is turned on, the brightness and clarity of the image suffer noticeably, because some of the pixels are actually dimmed in order to narrow the viewing angle. But the main compromise is evident even when the mode is turned off — viewing angles deteriorate, color shifts appear, and the side image looks dimmer. As a result, it feels like we had to sacrifice the quality of the display for the sake of privacy," he said.
The antispyware filter physically traps some of the light, so the screen gets darker. Your brain commands your eyes to strain harder to make out the text. You may not notice how you start squinting or constantly turn up the brightness to the maximum, explains Daniil Arzhakov, an IT expert at the Department of Esports at Synergy University.
— Additional layers of the screen introduce slight distortions and micro-reflections. Combined with the reduced brightness, the visual system is overloaded, especially if you are traveling in public transport and the phone is shaking. In life, we constantly change our position: the bus shook, you leaned back in your seat or tilted your head slightly. The image immediately darkens or distorts. The muscles of the eyes and neck are forced to adjust microscopically, which provokes not only visual discomfort, but also headaches," he warned.
How to protect your eyes
Olga Valaeva, psychologist and head of the NPC Virtual Clinic at the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis, notes that when working with anxiety, burnout and sleep disorders, specialists pay attention to the digital habits of patients. According to her, constant interaction with gadgets increases attention overload, so digital detox becomes an important part of therapy.
— The key problem is the chronic splitting of attention, when a person is physically in reality, but consciousness is occupied with the flow of information. Digital detox helps to restore cognitive control and contact with the current moment," she stressed.
It is too early to draw definitive conclusions about the impact of technology on health, and additional research is needed, according to technology specialist Andrey Baranov.
— Samsung is also known as a manufacturer of high-quality smartphones, and it hardly needs scandals because of innovative and potentially risky technology. It is better to wait for independent studies that confirm the safety of such screens, rather than listening to doctors who are far from technology," he concluded.
According to industry sources, by the fall, some Chinese manufacturers will introduce their own versions of privacy screens, and such devices will belong to a more affordable segment. Experts do not rule out that cheaper components may affect, among other things, image quality and eye comfort.
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