For the Galaxy S10 line, Samsung brought new, advanced hardware and software-based technologies to the camera, including cutting-edge, AI-powered features. In order to learn more about the phones’ pro-grade camera system – which features an Ultra Wide lens, Super Steady video recording, and a built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU) – Samsung Newsroom sat down with Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Communications Division’s camera developers and product planner.

(From left) Seoyoung Lee, Sunyong Kim, Sugon Baek and Wonseok Song of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Communications Division, who planned and developed the Galaxy S10 line’s camera technologies.

The Power of the Ultra Wide Lens

The secret to taking incredible photos with the Galaxy S10 line is the Ultra Wide lens. The addition of the Ultra Wide lens was a major moment for Samsung, and represents one of the biggest changes to the Galaxy series in generations. Now, users can capture every detail of an epic landscape, or fit the entire family into one group shot without having to move back.

“Users expect more than just improved image quality with a new device. They want a camera that makes it easier to take amazing photos,” explained product planner Sunyong Kim. “The Ultra Wide lens features a 123-degree field of view, just like the human eye, so you can easily capture the moment just as you see it.”

Image captured using the Ultra Wide lens on the Galaxy S10+. This feature is also available on the Galaxy S10 and S10e.

With the Ultra Wide lens, users can easily take dynamic pictures using the camera’s Live Focus function and Panorama mode. “Live Focus has been available on previous Samsung devices with the Telephoto and Wide-angle lenses, but for the Galaxy S10 line, we brought it to the Ultra Wide lens as well,” noted Sugon Baek. “What’s more, Panorama mode offers more vertical scope than previous models did, and greatly reduces the need to move the camera from left to right in order to capture the full shot.”

A panorama shot on the Galaxy S10+. This feature is also available on the Galaxy S10 and S10e.

Shake-Free Video Quality

Another new innovation that’s built into the Galaxy S10 line is the camera’s Super Steady video-recording feature, which offers users enhanced video stabilization.²

Super Steady works by using VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization) technology. It predicts user movements before filming starts, and once the camera is running, it calculates the adjustment range to minimize shakiness in videos.

“In the past, achieving optimum video stabilization meant sacrifices for the camera’s angle of view,” noted Wonseok Song. “A conventional wide-angle camera couldn’t solve the problem. But thanks to the Ultra Wide lens, the S10 is able to support a natural viewing angle while also offering stability and quality.”

Given that the adjustment capability of the Super Steady technology is best for capturing bigger movements, Song has a tip for users filming in different conditions: “For scenes that feature less action in low light, use the camera’s normal mode. For brighter scenes that feature more movement, Super Steady is best.”

Video footage³ shot on the Galaxy S9 (left) and Galaxy S10+ (right). This feature is only supported when filming with the Full HD Ultra Wide lens.

A Camera That’s Smart

The Galaxy S10 doesn’t just have the most advanced camera system on a Galaxy phone, it also has the smartest. In a first for Galaxy smartphones, the Galaxy S10 includes a next-generation NPU that automatically optimizes pictures in up to 30 different categories.

“We added 10 additional categories to optimize common photos, including ‘Dog,’ ‘Drink,’ and ‘Shoe,’” explained Seoyoung Lee. ‘Dog’ mode, she added, optimizes users’ pictures by focusing on fine details, such as strands of fur, whereas categories like ‘Shoe’ and ‘Clothing’ focus on objects’ colors, since most pictures of these objects are taken without people’s faces in the frame. “We also added ‘Drink’ category because we noticed the growing trend of people sharing pictures of their cocktails on social media.”

The Galaxy S10 line’s camera also provides suggestions of ways to potentially improve photos through its Shot Suggestion function. Based on the Galaxy S10 line’s machine learning capabilities, Shot Suggestion references a database of over 100 million users’ pictures to offer helpful tips on improving overall composition, positioning and proportions for photos of various subjects, including people, animals and vehicles. “The AI-based suggestions have been developed not just to prioritize putting the subject at the center of a photo,” said Lee. “That way, no matter how you want to set up your shot, the Galaxy S10 will help you do it in the most striking way possible.”

Seeing the Whole Picture

In developing the Galaxy S10 line’s camera, the team focused on engineering technologies that add real value to the camera experience, rather than simply increasing the number of lenses and features available.

“The camera is for more than documenting and recording,” explained Kim. “It is now the means through which we communicate.”

From the Ultra Wide lens, to Super Steady, to the NPU – and to other features, like Instagram mode, new filters, enhanced Bixby Vision, and easy shifting between lenses – the Galaxy S10 helps users do more with their camera than they ever could before. For all of those users who say a great camera is the top feature they’re looking for in a smartphone, Samsung has planted the flag.

¹ According to Samsung Electronics’ research

² Video stabilization on the Galaxy S10 line is up to three times better than conventional technologies.

³ This footage has been placed side by side and edited for comparison purposes.

And that would fly in the face of one of the biggest trends for mobile devices: They are now expected to be full-fledged multimedia powerhouses, delivering the quality and performance once the domain of laptops and desktop computers.

Piece of the Action

Meeting and exceeding these high expectations are Samsung’s two newest mobile devices, the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5. Both have gone big on displays—5.7 inches to be exact—but it’s the way they can be used that really shines. Samsung has brought new features to both phones that enhance the mobile entertainment experience. It’s moving with the times, really, because when it comes to the cameras on mobile device it’s not just about still pictures and selfies anymore. People now increasingly share self-edited videos on their social networks, and watch videos online through streaming services. Samsung’s answer? Offering better video features than ever.

Ultimately, Samsung wants to help people that want to do more with their smartphones. For video, that means not just easier sharing, but also the ability to shoot film like professionals. Take shake-less video recording, for example. The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 both have an improved front camera for selfie videos with video digital image stabilization (VDIS). In other words, the camera will detect your face for a smooth selfie video and keep it in the center of the screen with less shake. The rear camera, meanwhile, can record video that is much more stable and has less motion blur because it can combine the power of both VDIS and OIS (optical image stabilization).

While the combination of VDIS and OIS improves the quality of your recordings, the Video Clip mode in the native camera app allows you to add some creative flair. You now have a wide variety of options to soup up your videos: Collage, Slow Motion and Series. And the best thing is, these features works straight out of the box; you don’t need to install any other apps.

With the Collage mode, you can combine two to four different videos into one video clip, depending on the layout you choose. The Slow Motion mode with the rear camera will automatically produce one video and three slow video clips at different speeds. The Series mode lets you combine multiple short clips into one video without a complex editing process.

The native camera app in the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 also has the Live Broadcast mode. Sharing video is always at its best when friends and family can enjoy the experience in real time. This special mode is a quick and easy way of making that happen. When you choose Live Broadcast mode, you can invite people to watch from your contacts. Anyone you invite can watch your broadcast on their own devices (mobile, PC, or TV) via YouTube. However, if you want, you can go public and share the broadcast through e-mail or social networks.

Picture Perfect

With the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5, you will benefit from Samsung’s advanced camera system, including Quick Launch (double click the home button to launch the camera in less than one second), Auto Real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Smart Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). And the 16MP OIS Rear and 5MP Front cameras take better photos thanks to two major upgrades. One of these is the blur-less photo function, which minimizes the blurring of moving objects under low light conditions. The effects of motion blur and hand shakiness are reduced, as the camera takes two to three photos with a short exposure time to produce one clear image.

The other major upgrade is to the filter controls. You can use them to adjust the strengths of a filter and level of vignette effects to create your own style. You can top up your pre-loaded filters with additional ones from Samsung’s Galaxy Apps store and give your pictures a unique look and feel.

Never Miss a Thing

The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 aren’t just about creativity and entertainment, they’ll also make you more productive. When you’re working on your computer, you can now see all the notifications that arrive on your phone directly on your computer monitor, so you’re always up to date. No need to check your phone every time you hear a ping or vibration. Both phones offer SideSync with enhanced features for a seamless connection between your smartphone and your computer or tablet. Manually pair the devices once, and after that the new auto connection feature will pair them every time they are within range.

SideSync includes a call pop-up window, which will notify you of a call even when your phone is on mute. When you receive a text message, you can keep your hands on the keyboard and reply directly on your PC monitor.

New for SideSync is two-way file sharing. You can easily move files between your phone and PC by simply dragging and dropping the files. For phone to PC sharing, you can view the mirrored phone screen by selecting the “Phone Screen Sharing” menu on the dashboard, and move files from your smartphone to the desired folder on a PC. When you drag and drop files from your PC to your phone, the files will be stored in the SideSync folder. Installation is easy and free, and SideSync for PC can be downloaded from www.samsung.com.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 are two distinct smartphones, but they have one principle in common: they are both built with digital content at heart. And whether you’re enjoying the latest chart hit or want to share your holiday highlights with family, you will be guaranteed an amazing multimedia experience.