Xiaomi’s new flagship models, the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, are attracting attention with their hardware-based privacy display feature. This technology, which darkens the panel when viewed from side angles to prevent prying eyes, is causing a significant compromise in screen quality according to initial reviews.

Reports from Ice Universe, a reputable source in the industry, show that even when the feature is turned off, peak brightness and viewing angles are reduced compared to the previous generation.

Screen Quality is Affected Even When the Feature is Off

Ice Universe shared critical observations about the screen of the Xiaomi 18 Pro series, which he experienced in a physical store.

According to the information provided, the integrated dimming filter layer in the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max models directly negatively affects the optical transmittance of the panel. Even when the dimming mode is disabled software-wise, the phone’s maximum screen brightness and overall viewing angles are significantly behind the previous generation Xiaomi 17 Ultra model.

The micro-shutter-like optical layers added to the screen panel aim to prevent light from spreading to wide angles. However, this physical structure also creates light loss when the user wants to view the screen directly from the front and achieve maximum brightness. This directly weakens the perception of contrast and the visibility of the surrounding environment.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Process is Being Relived

These developments bring to mind the controversies Samsung experienced with its Galaxy S26 Ultra model in the past. Samsung also implemented a similar hardware dimming layer in its flagship model and received intense criticism from users. Galaxy S26 Ultra owners have reported a noticeable loss in screen brightness regardless of whether the feature is on or off.

The South Korean manufacturer indirectly acknowledged the loss of light transmittance in the panel architecture but argued that this difference would not be easily noticeable by the end user in everyday scenarios.

However, hardware enthusiasts and professional tests confirmed a significant decline in the screen’s peak quality values. The similar trend observed on the Xiaomi side points to an unavoidable engineering limitation created by physical polarized layers in current OLED panels.

Security or Panel Quality in Flagship Displays?

The built-in screen-to-body feature in smartphones offers a very functional promise for protecting banking and personal communications in public transport or crowded areas. This hardware, which aims to eliminate the need for external screen protectors, directly undermines the “brightest and most flawless panel” experience, the biggest asset of the flagship class.

It is currently unknown whether Xiaomi will implement a brightness compensation algorithm on the software side. However, since the problem stems from the hardware optical layer, it is quite difficult to completely compensate for the pure brightness loss with updates. Whether users will prioritize security over screen quality will be shown by the overall sales performance of the devices.