Every smartphone should adopt this feature from the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

      Samsung has unveiled a new display feature with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, enhancing it further with the latest Galaxy S25 Ultra. The screen of the Galaxy S25 Ultra is protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2, which surpasses the standard Corning Gorilla Glass used in most smartphones.

      The Gorilla Armor series first appeared with last year’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, introducing anti-reflective characteristics that claimed to reduce surface reflections by "up to 75 percent." This was a genuine enhancement in usability, providing better visibility in bright light and increasing durability. It offered more than four times the scratch resistance and up to three times the drop resistance compared to “competitive aluminosilicate cover classes.”

      However, many users reported issues with washed-out colors and reduced vibrancy on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, with the screen supposedly developing more permanent smudges over time compared to its predecessor. It seems Samsung took user feedback into account. With the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the company has worked to address these problems for a more polished screen experience. Since its launch in January, I have intermittently used the phone and believe that this feature should be standard in all devices.

      The finest display on a smartphone

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      “Gorilla Armor 2’s anti-reflective features significantly diminish surface reflections in both indoor and outdoor environments,” states a Samsung Newsroom article. I wholeheartedly agree with this aspect of smartphone marketing.

      If you've used an iPhone in bright sunlight, you’ve probably noticed how its screen can act like a mirror, highlighting smudges and fingerprints. Despite the 2,000 nits of peak brightness, the glare can lead to a frustrating experience. This often necessitates repeated adjustments to the phone’s angle just to read text or view images. The brightness is present, but visibility isn’t always assured.

      That’s not the case with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Its 6.9-inch display remains easily readable in challenging lighting. No awkward positioning or shading with your hand is necessary. You simply look at the screen, and it’s clear. This anti-reflective quality enhances daily use, whether checking emails outdoors or watching videos indoors under bright lights. The experience feels more natural and less straining on the eyes.

      The Galaxy S25 Ultra provides a more vibrant and sharper display compared to the S24 Ultra, maintaining clarity even indoors. Viewing videos in a well-lit room typically results in glare on most devices, forcing you to adjust the angle repeatedly. However, this isn’t an issue with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Although this feature may not be reflected in benchmark statistics, once you experience it, returning to a standard display becomes difficult.

      Samsung and Corning have not sacrificed durability for enhanced anti-reflective features. Samsung asserts, “Compared to the first-generation Corning Gorilla Armor, Gorilla Armor 2 provides improved durability — devices equipped with Gorilla Armor 2 are even more capable of withstanding the rough and unpredictable nature of daily life.”

      Gorilla Armor 2 is reputed to endure drops from up to 2.2 meters onto concrete surfaces. While I haven’t conducted any formal drop tests, when I accidentally dropped the phone from waist height twice, it emerged unscathed. Over three months of usage, I’ve not noticed any permanent smudges or micro-abrasions, which is promising given the long-term smudge issues reported by some users of the S24 Ultra.

      I wish more smartphones featured anti-reflective screens

      iPhone 15 Pro and Galaxy S24 Ultra in hand Prakhar Khanna / Digital Trends

      Most Android flagships and iPhones use proprietary display protection glass in 2025, but none match the anti-reflective properties of Gorilla Armor 2. Samsung has also limited this feature to its high-end S-series models. I hope Gorilla Armor 2 is made available in other Galaxy S-series phones and that Apple takes note for the next generation of Ceramic Shield in the iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 18 series.

      This isn’t a flashy specification that appears in specs comparison tables. It doesn’t enhance benchmark scores or feature prominently in launch events. Yet, for the user, it significantly enhances daily usability—whether you are texting in bright sunlight, scrolling indoors under artificial light, or enjoying content without distractions from reflections. It simply performs better in most scenarios.