Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced a major update to the Samsung Health app, transforming the upcoming Galaxy Watch into a proactive, intelligent health partner. Starting June 8, Samsung will begin rolling out the app update to showcase the key health features included in the upcoming Galaxy Watch. The update[1] makes daily health management effortless by translating complex biometric data — from overnight sleep to daily activity — into simple, actionable guidance.

“Samsung Health is evolving to connect health data measured by Galaxy Watch with AI-based insights, enabling users to understand their physical and mental condition more easily and intuitively,” said Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team for the Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung Electronics will continue to expand proactive and personalized health management experiences based on the connected Galaxy ecosystem and digital health innovations.”

This advancement is a key milestone in Samsung’s overarching vision for a truly AI-powered health platform designed to help users stay ahead of their health. The newly announced health features will first be available on the upcoming Galaxy Watch.

Features Transforming Galaxy Watch into an Intelligent Health Partner

The Samsung Health update comes with the following features:

• Vitals: A Better Understanding of the Body’s Signals — Previously, Samsung Health monitored specific health metrics to help measure users’ daily Energy Score. Now, Samsung Health is taking this a step further. When users wake up, the new Vitals feature analyzes five key overnight bio-signals — heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature and blood oxygen — against their true resting baseline. It sends notifications only when it detects meaningful deviations, helping users determine if they need more rest or are fighting an illness, without causing alert fatigue.

• Heart Health Score: Improved Long-Term Wellness — Last year, Samsung introduced Vascular Load to help users monitor vascular stress and adopt a more holistic approach to health. Today, that vision evolves into the Heart Health Score. This single daily metric takes the insights previously found in Vascular Load — such as sleep, stress and activity — and combines them with body composition data. The result is a unified score that clearly identifies the habits impacting users’ long-term well-being, giving them immediate clarity on their heart health.

• Daily Cardio Load: Smarter Cardiovascular Training — When users are deciding how hard to push during aerobic exercise, Daily Cardio Load measures accumulated cardiovascular strain. By calculating daily load and maximum training capacity, it recommends optimal training targets and rest times to ensure users reach their goals without risking burnout or injury.

• Fitness Index: Seamless Progress Tracking — The Fitness Index ensures exercise routines are working by analyzing metrics like heart rate, VO₂ max (a key measure of aerobic fitness) and daily steps against users’ peers. By clearly identifying individual physical strengths and weaknesses, it delivers tailored content and personalized goals so users can make continuous, targeted improvements.

New Samsung Health Design for a Simplified, Personal Experience

To make these proactive insights easy to find, Samsung Health introduces a streamlined layout organized into five core pillars: Sleep, Activity, Nutrition, Mindfulness and Vitals. Within the Home screen, users can now easily access their daily wellness tips alongside their AI-powered Energy Score. This centralized view removes guesswork from health management, allowing users to quickly understand how different aspects of their routine interconnect at a single glance.

Upgraded Capabilities for Proactive Wellness

Samsung Health is also significantly advancing the core features users already rely on, delivering deeper personalization with greater precision. As users navigate their day, Antioxidant Index now provides an even clearer roadmap of their nutritional intake. With new trend charts and daily history logs, it visually connects users’ dietary choices to physical responses over time. Behind the scenes, the AGEs index has been enhanced to quietly work in the background, capturing automatic overnight measurements to build a long-term picture of how lifestyle choices accumulate in users’ bodies. This helps users uncover health insights that truly matter for their well-being.

Comprehensive wellness extends to external environments, as well, with Samsung offering a brand-new Hearing Health feature that integrates seamlessly across the Galaxy ecosystem. By monitoring surrounding ambient noise through Galaxy Watch, it delivers personalized analytics to help protect the user’s ears — whether they are on a loud commute or dialing up the music during a workout.

Together, these advanced refinements and new ecosystem-connected features turn everyday data into simple, practical guidance, setting the perfect stage for the future of Samsung Health.

A Seamlessly Connected Health Ecosystem

Samsung’s expansive ecosystem unlocks the true power of these new features, seamlessly managing health across users’ Galaxy mobile phones and connected devices. This frictionless integration ensures that personalized insights are always accessible, providing a unified view of user well-being. These advancements offer a glimpse into the future of Samsung Health — a future that will be fully realized with the launch of Samsung’s next generation of Galaxy Watches, engineered to bring this proactive intelligence to life like never before.

[1] New health features are for wellness only, not for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. If concerned about health, be sure to see a medical professional. Available on Android phones (Android 10 or above) and requires the Samsung Health app (v7.0 or above). Samsung account login required. Certain features may require user activity and data accumulation over time to enable personalized results. Feature availability, supported devices, and rollout timing may vary by market, model, and other factors and are subject to change.

Introduced at The First Look during CES 2026, “Your Companion to AI Living” reflects Samsung’s vision for AI innovations. The campaign highlights how Samsung’s AI technology, connected products and services seamlessly integrate into everyday life and offer a new way of living that helps care for users and their loved ones. It also focuses on Samsung’s pursuit of AI innovations that anticipate user needs and provide personalized solutions across its ecosystem of devices, platforms and services.

“Through this campaign, we aim to show how Samsung’s products and services, integrated with AI, can become a life companion by proactively understanding users’ needs and offering personalized support when it matters most,” said Stephanie Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Brand Center at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to create more meaningful ways for customers to experience the value of Samsung’s innovations in their daily lives.”

The campaign includes a series of three humorous videos focused on health, family and pet care. The videos connect with customers by illustrating how Samsung’s AI capabilities, incorporated into its offerings, help elevate customers’ daily lives.

For health-conscious users, the Antioxidant Index,[1] available through Galaxy Watch8 and the Samsung Health app, is shown helping people check their wellness status and receive personalized meal suggestions to maintain healthy eating habits. Additionally, the AI Food Manager[2] in the Bespoke AI Refrigerator Family Hub simplifies ingredient management and offers tailored recipe recommendations.

For pet owners, Now Brief[3] is shown reminding users to walk their dogs and records walk routes and duration in detail, through integration with Pet Care[4] on the SmartThings app.

For families, the Call Screening feature on Galaxy smartphones is shown assisting elderly family members in avoiding unwanted calls, such as potential voice phishing attempts.[5] These videos are being showcased on screens across major global landmarks such as Times Square in New York and Piccadilly Circus in London, as well as on Samsung’s official social media channels, including YouTube and Instagram.

[1] Available on smartphones running Android 10 or later and requires Samsung Health app v.6.0.2 or later.

[2] A Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account are required. If a food item is not recognizable, it may be listed as an unknown item. AI Vision cannot identify or list any food items located in the freezer. Recognition uses AI models that may be updated periodically to help improve performance. Users may need to manually check and adjust the list to ensure its accuracy.

[3] Available on Galaxy S26 series or later smartphones.

[4] The Pet Care service must be activated in the SmartThings app and Samsung account is required. The dog-walking notification will be triggered if the dog has not reached the user’s preset walking target.

[5] Supported on the Galaxy S24 series and smartphones running One UI 8.0 or later, though supported features may vary by model. Available in a total of 13 languages, including Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.

It’s every traveler’s worst nightmare and yet such accidents are more common than you think. According to Samsung Care+[1] data, claims submitted in July and August were 30% higher than the annual average[2]. With your phones holding everything from boarding passes and hotel reservations to maps, a damaged device could be a potential trip-ender.

Accidental damages during travel can cause a stressful situation.

That is, unless you have Samsung Care+. Here’s how the comprehensive care service helps keep your devices protected throughout the summer vacation, giving you peace of mind throughout your trip.

Reliable Support Across Major Destinations

First things first, there’s no need to panic or cancel travel plans. Samsung Care+ offers comprehensive coverage both at home and abroad[3] through a network of Samsung-authorized service centers across major cities worldwide. Whether you’re in London, Seoul, Los Angeles, or Barcelona, your protection travels with you.

Samsung Care+ users can receive professional care through nearby Samsung-authorized service centers both at home and abroad.

Hassle-Free Repairs

Every minute counts on a vacation and the last thing you want is a long wait. That’s why Samsung Care+ is designed to get you quickly back on track through its streamlined claims process, helping you save time.

• No Complex Paperwork: You can get support through a clear, easy-to-follow system without complicated paperwork.

• Priority Queue[4] Access: Once enrollment is verified, you’ll receive support with clear guidance.

Within minutes of arriving, your repair is authorized and underway to ensure minimal disruption to your vacation.

Professional Service by Certified Technicians

Once the device is submitted for repair, Samsung-certified technicians take over. These professionals, who know Samsung Galaxy devices better than anyone, only use genuine parts. This ensures repairs go beyond fixing visible damage, returning devices to optimal condition so they maintain their performance and value.

All repairs are handled by certified experts using original parts.

Continuing Your Journey With Complete Peace of Mind

Thanks to Samsung Care+’s service network and professional care, you are good to go. What could have ruined your long-awaited vacation becomes just a minor mishap. Samsung Care+ gives you complete peace of mind throughout your trip so you can focus on creating lasting memories.

Samsung Care+’s comprehensive coverage offers peace of mind for Galaxy users.

[1] Terms and conditions apply. Samsung Care+ coverage, service type and promotion details may vary by country/region and deductible (service fee) may apply. To be eligible for Samsung Care+ promotion benefit, registration may be required.

[2] Based on Samsung Care+ claims submitted in 2025.

[3] When in need of Samsung Care+ services during your travel, contact the visiting country/region’s local customer services center in advance for Samsung Care+ availability.

[4] Availability may differ by country. Please contact the visiting country/region’s local customer service center in advance for service availability.

This exciting line-up of AI phones introduces advanced Galaxy AI features that can help smoothen your productivity journey – Now Nudge, Now Brief, Call Screening and Document Scan – are all designed to work seamlessly and effortlessly so you never miss a beat no matter how busy you get.

Always prepared for complete ease of mind

The Galaxy S26 series provides you with timely reminders before you realize you need them. Feeling uneasy before the start of a new week is common, especially when important meetings await. More proactive and personalized than ever, Now Brief[1], quietly supports users by surfacing timely reminders and key information—helping to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

Effortless schedule management with Your AI Companion

The Galaxy S26 series finds for you the simplest way to stay organized. Heading to work, it’s common to be juggling emails, the day’s news and even that message from a close friend asking when you’re free to catch up.

Now Nudge[2] effectively minimizes manual input on your end. Timely and relevant suggestions help you stay in the flow without being distracted. Received a message about your evening plans? This exciting AI-powered feature which can be turned on or off from Settings, reads the context of the conversation, checks your calendar for conflicts, and surfaces relevant suggestion, without you ever opening a separate app.

This seamless productivity carries on across tasks with the Galaxy S26 series. If another friend asks for photos from a recent trip, the Galaxy S26 series can quickly and automatically suggest photos from the Gallery, removing the need to search through albums or switch between apps.

Check out how to use this advanced Galaxy AI feature, Now Nudge, here: How to use the Now nudge feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 series | Samsung Malaysia

Stay focused with intelligent call screening

The Galaxy S26 series helps you screen out distractions with smarter safeguards. In fast‑paced workdays, unexpected calls can easily disrupt concentration, especially when you’re in important meetings.

The Galaxy S26 series introduces intelligent, AI‑powered Call Screening[3] for a safer way to handle calls instead of ignoring them. It helps you check unknown callers and summarizes intent, so you can decide if it is an important call to take.

Here’s how effortless Call Screening works on your Galaxy S26 Series:

The ultimate, distraction-free workday with easier document capture

The Galaxy S26 series enables you to get things done easily and quickly. From receipts and forms to handwritten notes, paperwork can pile up quickly—especially during busy workdays.

The AI-powered Document Scan instantly delivers clean digital copies of your receipts, forms, and notes, easily removing distortions and distractions like creases or fingers in the shot. This smart feature can remove the hassle of tiresome admin tasks – with the ability to automatically organize multiple images into a single PDF file, ready for whatever submissions you need to make.

The Galaxy S26 series represents the evolution of Galaxy AI in 2026. It is not simply a faster phone with upgraded specifications but a shift in what an AI phone is supposed to do: to be a steady companion that meets your needs – always helping you do more and worry less.

[1] Now Brief feature requires Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, device model, apps. Some features may require a network connection. The description of photos provided by moments may not align with the user’s intent. Notifications must be switched on to be used as the recalled data. Recalled data available from supported app notifications, Messages, Gmail and Samsung Wallet and data collected from Gmail is only applicable if the user consents to Personal Data Intelligence’s Gmail read permission. Recalled data for reservation details only available from reservation confirmation messages.

[2] Now Nudge feature requires a Samsung Account login. Available functions and features may vary by country, region, and language. Text message prompts currently available with Samsung Messages and certain third-party messaging apps including Google Messages and Google Chat. Based on availability at the time of product launch. May change without notice. Share photos in Now Nudge works by analyzing available image content. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[3] Call Screening feature for Call Assist may vary by country, region and language. Feature needs to be manually activated.

Two premium intelligent eyewear designs from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker

Co-created with the eyewear partners, the intelligent eyewear combines breakthrough AI capabilities with comfort and style, merging Samsung’s leadership in hardware engineering and Google’s AI technology with premium eyewear design. Each eyewear brand brings a distinct design approach to the device. Renowned for their legacies in fashion eyewear, Gentle Monster presents styles with disruptive yet refined aesthetics, while Warby Parker showcases refined and timeless designs.

Built to understand the world alongside users in real time, the new intelligent eyewear provides everyday support while keeping users hands-free and heads-up. Users can access navigation assistance by simply asking Gemini with their voices, receive personalized suggestions such as a nearby coffee shop on their walking route, or even place an order for pickup. Users can also receive summarized notifications for important texts and add events to their calendars. Additional features include real-time translations with audio that matches the speaker’s voice, as well as the ability to translate text on menus or signs in the user’s line of sight. Working seamlessly within the Galaxy ecosystem, the device helps users easily manage everyday tasks or effortlessly capture photos, all without taking their phone out.

“This intelligent eyewear marks an important step in Samsung’s vision for AI,” said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “With this new AI form factor, we are further expanding the Galaxy device ecosystem, where each device is optimized to deliver unique AI experiences that best fit each form.”

“Intelligent eyewear represents a powerful step forward in our shared vision with Samsung to make AI more helpful and accessible in everyday life,” said Shahram Izadi, Vice President and GM of Android XR at Google. “Combining the best of Google’s AI and the Android ecosystem together with Samsung’s leadership in mobile hardware and Gentle Monster and Warby Parker’s premium design, we are helping users stay connected and fashionable in a more natural, hands-free way.”

“Intelligent eyewear should feel as emotionally expressive as it is technologically advanced,” said Hankook Kim, Founder and CEO of Gentle Monster. “Our vision was to merge fashion and technology in a way that feels bold, beautiful and human, bringing Gentle Monster’s disruptive design identity into a new era of intelligent eyewear with Samsung and Google.”

“Eyewear is deeply personal, which is why every detail matters when integrating advanced technology into frames people wear every day,” said Dave Gilboa, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Warby Parker. “Our Intelligent Eyewear is designed to feel intuitive, combining Warby Parker’s signature design with precision optics and exceptional comfort to help people stay focused on the moments in front of them.”

The first collections of intelligent eyewear are scheduled to launch this fall in select markets, with additional details to be announced in the coming months.

[1] Availability may vary depending on market. Currently, not available in Malaysia. All functionalities, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, components, performance, availability and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice

As GLP-1 medications become widely adopted for weight management and chronic disease treatment, tracking changes in muscle mass and physical activity alongside weight loss has emerged as a key medical focus. This research will delve into the feasibility of managing muscle loss for GLP-1 patients by utilizing biometric data including body composition, activity levels and heart rate provided by Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health.

Samsung and MGH have continuously collaborated on digital health research utilizing both Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health, including studies on Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). The MGH Diabetes Research Center, which specializes in research on diabetes and GLP-1 obesity treatment, initiated the joint study with Samsung after recognizing the potential for wearables to monitor body composition.

This study will also utilize Galaxy Watch8, powered by Samsung’s groundbreaking BioActive Sensor,[2] which helps provide advanced predictive and preventative wellness through more accurate health measurements.

Under the leadership of Dr. Melissa Putman, the study will enroll 100 adults beginning treatment with weight-loss medications into two groups. The intervention group will use Galaxy Watch to monitor their body composition via Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), track physical activity and receive personalized exercise guides. Their progress will be compared to the other group, which will receive the standard guidance and care typically given to patients starting GLP-1RA therapy.

To evaluate the study’s progress, researchers will use clinical-grade DXA scans[3] — the gold standard for body composition analysis — to track physiological changes in both groups. These data will help determine whether the insights and tailored guidance provided by Galaxy Watch8 can effectively support participants in building healthier daily habits, which may in turn contribute to better health outcomes particularly in preserving muscle mass.

“Many GLP-1 patients struggle with muscle mass loss, a common side effect that can cause an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a drop in basal metabolic rate, which can lead to future weight regain,” said Dr. Putman, Director of the MGH Diabetes Research Center. “We’re interested in exploring how continuous data from a wearable device can provide invaluable insights into a patient’s activity levels, heart rate and body composition, giving clinicians a more holistic view of treatment impact and allowing for more timely, data-driven adjustments to their care plan.”

“This collaboration with MGH focuses on addressing real-world health challenges that patients face during GLP-1RA therapy, specifically managing muscle loss and building healthy habits,” said Jongmin Choi, Head of Health R&D Group, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, Samsung Electronics. “Ultimately, this study highlights Samsung’s ongoing commitment to delivering comprehensive and proactive health management solutions through the advanced capabilities of Galaxy Watch.”

Samsung remains committed to researching how Galaxy Watch can support patients in managing their daily physical health. By fostering sustainable wellness habits, the company aims to help patients achieve better clinical outcomes and long-term vitality.

Samsung continues to expand its partnerships with leading medical institutions to advance wearable health monitoring capabilities and broaden the digital health ecosystem. Recently, Samsung demonstrated the potential for early vasovagal syncope (VVS) detection using Galaxy Watch in a joint clinical study with Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital in Korea and also collaborated with Stanford Medicine to further advance Galaxy Watch’s Sleep Apnea feature.

[1] Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone secreted by the intestines after eating that regulates blood sugar levels and suppresses appetite. While GLP-1 weight-loss medications that mimic this hormone are gaining significant popularity globally, they can be accompanied by side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders, muscle mass loss and potential weight regain upon discontinuation.

[2] The BioActive Sensor is a technology that integrates three sensors into a single chipset: an optical heart rate sensor (PPG), an electrical heart rate sensor (ECG) and a bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA). This sensor has been featured in Galaxy Watch devices since the release of Galaxy Watch4 in 2021, allowing users to measure and monitor various health indicators, such as body composition, heart rate, blood pressure and ECG tracking.

[3] DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan: A specialized medical imaging technology that uses low-dose X-rays to precisely measure body composition, including body fat, lean muscle mass and bone density. Universally recognized as the “gold standard” for body composition analysis, it is widely utilized in clinical research to accurately evaluate physiological changes.

Vasovagal syncope occurs when a person’s heart rate and blood pressure drop abruptly due to factors like excessive stress, leading to a temporary loss of consciousness. While the fainting spell itself is typically not life-threatening, sudden falls can cause severe secondary injuries like fractures or concussions, making early prediction critically important for prevention.

“Up to 40% of people experience vasovagal syncope over their lifetime, with one-third experiencing recurrent episodes,” said Professor Junhwan Cho of the Department of Cardiology at Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital. “An early warning could give patients advance time to get into a safe position or call for help, which would dramatically reduce the incidence of secondary injuries.”

The joint research team, led by Professor Cho, conducted evaluations on 132 patients with suspected VVS symptoms during induced fainting tests. Using a Galaxy Watch equipped with a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, the team analyzed the watch’s heart rate variability (HRV) data with an AI algorithm. The model successfully predicted impending fainting episodes up to five minutes in advance with 84.6 percent accuracy, at a clinically meaningful sensitivity of 90 percent and a specificity of 64 percent.

“This study is an example of how wearable technology can help shift healthcare from being designed for ‘post-care’ to a model of ‘preventive care,’” said Jongmin Choi, Head of Health R&D Group, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, Samsung Electronics. “We are committed to driving technological innovation that empowers our users to lead healthier everyday lives.”

The research findings were published in Volume 7, Issue 4 of “European Heart Journal – Digital Health,” a leading medical journal, and they represent the world’s first study to successfully demonstrate the potential for a commercial smartwatch to provide early prediction of syncope.

Samsung plans to further advance the health monitoring capabilities of its wearable portfolio and expand collaboration with leading medical institutions. Through these efforts, the company aims to lead the digital health industry and accelerate the implementation of personalized, preventive health solutions.

The full experience of One UI 9 will be introduced with upcoming Galaxy flagship devices later this year, which will include advanced AI features that will make mobile interaction easy and effortless.

What’s New in One UI 9 Beta

One UI 9 beta introduces several updates across key areas of the mobile experience.

Samsung Notes[1] gains creative new tools, including decorative tapes and a wider variety of pen line styles. Meanwhile, the Contacts app now offers direct access to Creative Studio[2] for creating personalized profile cards without the need to switch between apps.

The updated Quick Panel gives users greater control over its layout. Brightness, sound and media player are each independently adjustable, with more size options to suit individual preferences.

Accessibility is significantly improved by an adjustable Mouse Key speed that enables smoother cursor control and a combined TalkBack package that brings together features previously offered separately by Google and Samsung. The new Text Spotlight feature — which displays selected text larger or more clearly in a floating window — has also been added to make reading easier.

One UI 9 also introduces enhanced protection against suspicious apps and potential threats: when new high-risk apps are detected, it now warns users, blocks execution and installation, and recommends deletion through security policy updates[3].

Availability

The One UI 9 beta program will be available to Galaxy S26 series users in select markets, including Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the U.K. and the U.S starting this week.[4] Galaxy S26 series users can apply to join the beta program via the Samsung Members app.

[1] Service availability may vary by region/country, OS/One UI version, device model and phone carrier.

[2] Requires Creative Studio app installation. Creative Studio feature requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language or device model. The accuracy and reliability of the generated output is not guaranteed. Sticker can only be shared with other Galaxy devices.

[3] Samsung’s security policy updates are designed to improve device security through service operation policy changes and may include updates to list of potential high-risk apps according to Samsung’s internal assessment. 

[4] One UI 9 Beta program will not be available in Malaysia.

Samsung is expanding the One UI 8.5 rollout to more devices, bringing the latest Galaxy AI features across the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem.[1] The update focuses on enhancing communication and creative experiences on Galaxy mobile phones and tablets, including the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy S25 FE, Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy Tab S11 series and Galaxy Tab S10 series.

One UI 8.5 will begin rolling out in Malaysia starting May 11 onwards,[2] with additional regions to follow.

[1] Features may vary depending on model and service region.

[2] Availability and timing may vary by market and model.

In response, Samsung asked a simple question — can anyone create Hollywood-style videos on a Galaxy mobile phone? The answer is the Cinematic Look-Up Table (Cine LUT) feature on the Galaxy S26 series. While the APV codec provides the foundation for cinema-quality video, Cine LUT brings a distinct color style to the footage.

Cine LUT makes professional-level color grading — once reserved for experts — accessible to anyone. Samsung collaborated with internal teams and external specialists to bring the feature to life. The Mobile eXperience (MX) Business led final camera implementation, Samsung Research developed core video processing technologies and U5K Imageworks — a colorist studio behind globally recognized productions — helped shape its visual aesthetic.

Following the introduction of the APV codec, which delivers a visually lossless level of image quality, Samsung Newsroom spoke with three key developers behind Cine LUT — Sugon Baek of the Camera Image Quality R&D Group at the MX Business, Bomi Kim of the Reality Media Lab at Samsung Research and Taesik Eom, CEO of U5K Imageworks — to hear the story of its creation.

(From left) Taesik Eom, Bomi Kim and Sugon Baek

Q. What is a LUT? What sets Cine LUT on the Galaxy S26 series apart?

Baek: A LUT is essentially a “map” that tra

nsforms one set of colors into a desired look. Unlike conventional filters that simply overlay color, Cine LUT reinterprets Samsung Log[1] footage to deliver the depth and look of professional filmmaking.

Kim: It’s optimized for Log video. By leveraging its wide gradation,[2] the feature precisely reconstructs color and brightness to preserve subtle tonal details often lost with conventional filters for richer, more natural depth.

Comparison of Log footage in standard settings and with the Thriller LUT and Blockbuster LUT

Comparison of Log footage in standard settings and with the Coming-of-age LUT and Romance LUT

Q. What led to the development of Cine LUT?

Kim: While Galaxy devices supported Log video for high-quality capture, color grading remained challenging for users. We aimed to make professional-looking results accessible without advanced editing skills.

Baek: We wanted to create an experience that lets users preview cinematic footage at the moment of capture, then apply a LUT and share the video with a single tap in the Gallery.

(From left) Bomi Kim of the Reality Media Lab at Samsung Research and Sugon Baek of the Camera Image Quality R&D Group at MX Business

Q. How did the collaboration with U5K Imageworks begin? How was Cine LUT developed?

Eom: Our collaboration began two years ago with Rec. 709 LUT advisory work for Samsung Log video, where we refined strong colors into more natural tones — an experience that led to Cine LUT. For this project, we developed multiple versions across three intensity levels — neutral, soft and strong — and tested them in diverse scenes, ultimately selecting four core styles.

Kim: Building on U5K’s color direction, we validated the concepts against quantitative criteria to ensure consistent performance in different environments, refining them through testing until creative intent and technical quality aligned.

Taesik Eom, CEO of U5K Imageworks

Q. What challenges did you face during development?

Kim: We needed a large dataset to validate performance across diverse conditions. Testing in real-world environments — from natural and indoor lighting to day and night — and close collaboration were key to capturing the nuances of color.

Baek: Maintaining consistent, undistorted color in different environments was challenging. Through continuous testing, we developed a LUT that balances subjective preference with objective quality.

Q. What was the key consideration in creating looks optimized for mobile phones?

Eom: Ensuring reliable performance in real-world conditions was key. Since lighting, exposure and white balance constantly vary, we focused on creating looks that remain natural in any situation.

Kim: Quality was our top priority. We analyzed each frame and validated performance using tools like color charts, gray balance and vector scopes.

Q. Why were these four styles chosen for the Galaxy S26 series?

Baek: We analyzed the visual language of popular film genres and identified four representative styles. From the high-contrast Blockbuster to the fresh Coming-of-age, warm Romance and moody Thriller, each color palette was designed to give everyday scenes an instant cinematic look.

Users can preview Cine LUTs when shooting in Log and easily apply them to recorded footage using editing tools.

Q. Which Cine LUT styles do you recommend for different situations?

Eom: There’s no fixed answer — it depends on the situation. Blockbuster suits high-contrast environments like outdoor and urban scenes; Coming-of-age fits soft, trendy settings like cafes or vlogs; Romance adds warmth to character-driven scenes; and Thriller creates a more striking impression.

Q. What stood out to you in user feedback?

Baek: We expected it might be seen as just another video effect, but the response exceeded expectations. Users quickly recognized that combining Log shooting with Cine LUTs expands creative possibilities beyond simple filters. We’re also seeing more users choose styles based on the scene, with high-quality videos widely shared on social media — and even inspiring new ways to create content.

Q. What are your plans for the future?

Baek: We aim to further establish the Galaxy S26 series as a professional-grade camera. We hope to see more content that resonates with both creators and viewers and will continue to set new standards in video creation.

Kim: As the world changes rapidly, our goal is to identify next-generation technologies. Through close collaboration with business divisions, we will work to bring them into products and deliver innovative experiences to users around the world.

Baek, Eom and Kim watch a video with Cine LUT applied.

Born from close collaboration, Cine LUT on the Galaxy S26 series transforms everyday moments into cinematic visuals. Beyond its technical achievements, the feature marks an important step toward making video creation more accessible — lowering barriers once reserved for professionals and enabling anyone to express themselves.

Heesub Han, a commercial and documentary director, shot a series of short films on Galaxy S26 Ultra using the APV codec and Samsung Log. Explore the videos below to discover the possibilities of Cine LUT through the making-of and short films.

[1] A technique that uses a logarithmic curve to expand detail in darker areas. While camera sensors capture brightness uniformly, the human eye is more sensitive to changes in shadows. Log helps footage better reflect natural perception.

[2] The smoothness and precision of tonal transitions in an image — how it shifts between light and dark.