Harnessing the technology in its Galaxy S21 Ultra and new S23 Ultra devices to broadcast live, 24/7 streams of wild animals in the Balule Nature Reserve, part of Kruger National Park

Coinciding with World Animal Day, Samsung has announced the expansion of its Wildlife Watch pilot, in partnership with Africam and The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, to protect against animal poaching in the South African bush.

Launched in 2021, the programme uses Samsung technology as a live ‘surveillance system’ to enable anybody to watch wildlife in the Balule Nature Reserve in South Africa, part of the Kruger National Park. The pilot was a tremendous success in keeping one of nature’s most endangered animals, the rhino, safe thanks to the virtual rangers who took the watch with Samsung.

Leitah Mkhabela, Black Mamba Ranger said, “Not a single attempt to poach rhinos in the reserve has been observed since the pilot launched. However, poaching of other wildlife in the reserve has not gone away. Tourism is still below pre-Covid levels meaning fewer eyes are monitoring the park, the cost-of-living crisis has led to an increase in poverty, and recruiting new rangers is difficult because of low pay and challenging working conditions.” 

In the latest enhancement to the programme, Samsung will utilise technology in Galaxy S21 Ultra and new S23 Ultra devices to broadcast the 24/7 live streams of wild animals.

With an advanced camera system and re-engineered Nightography capabilities, along with a 200MP Adaptive Pixel sensor and 10x Optical Zoom Telephoto Camera, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra devices will film live footage day and night. They will also support the rangers by improving the quality of the evidence they send back to HQ to use as evidence for poaching investigations and, the durable materials used to construct the devices, will improve resilience in the bush when the rangers are using them out on patrol. The S23 Ultra is IP68[1] grade water and dust resistant.

The impact the Galaxy SmartTag has on improving the safety of the rangers and helping them coordinate conservation efforts in the bush will also be tested. Using SmartThings Find, Black Mamba HQ will monitor where individuals are in the reserve.

To help locals understand the importance of wildlife conservation from a young age, Samsung has worked with The Black Mambas to create ‘The Samsung Bush Babies Animal Insights’ an educational programme for young people in local communities highlighting the importance of wildlife diversity, conservation, and protecting the reserve for generations to come. The Freestyle Projector will deliver optimal viewing in a compact, portable device enabling The Black Mambas to teach the Bush Babies Animals Insights initiative from anywhere.  

Mark Holloway, MX Director of Category Management, Samsung Europe said, “Samsung’s Wildlife Watch pilot encouraged thousands of people across the world to lend their eyes to prevent poaching in the African bush. It demonstrates the positive role technology can play in tackling real-world challenges. For this World Animal Day and beyond, Samsung wants to continue raising awareness on the importance of wildlife conservation and encourage people worldwide to take the watch and lend their support to The Black Mambas in this fight to protect nature”. 

Everyone is invited to ‘Take the Watch’ this year and become a virtual ranger, helping to protect endangered animals from poaching by monitoring them in real-time in their natural habitat and enjoying live sightings of these spectacular animals from their own homes. 

By becoming a virtual ranger and taking the watch on wildlife-watch.com, you can alert rangers if you see animals in danger or signs of poaching by clicking at the bottom of the live stream page, share what you see via snapshots on social to encourage others to take part, and donate to The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit. With different camera views, it’s never the same watch twice, and you might witness elephants, lions and even giraffes in the wild wherever you are. 

Virtual Rangers who want to understand more about the signs of poaching activity can learn more by watching The Black Mambas Boot Camp. This six-part series provides tips from the rangers on the sights and sounds to look out for when taking the watch and explains the important work they do on their patrols. To see the films go to: www.wildlife-watch.com/  

To watch the live stream, help protect vulnerable animals and donate to the Black Mambas go to wildlife-watch.com   

Disclaimer:

[1] The IP68 rating means complete dust protection and temporary immersion in up to 1.5m of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Based on lab test conditions. Not advised for beach or pool use. Water and dust resistance of devices is not permanent and may diminish over time.

Samsung, through its Future Generation Lab (FGL) marketing division, which is tasked with connecting the company with the next generation of the African consumer, saw an awesome opportunity to take the brand to Generation MZ and considering that Pantone Sundays is one of the platforms where they converge, jumping on board was a no-brainer for FGL. Hosting the latest Pantone Sunday in Braamfontein was also a stroke of genius as it is the epicentre of the target market.

Austin Malema is a trailblazing photographer who challenges the status quo through original perspectives and views. With his Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra he is taking smartphone photography to epic new heights. Watch this dynamic creative in action in the videos below to discover the incredible ways you can transform your own photography skills. Many South Africans would have already seen his masterclasses first-hand, as part of the national roadshow to launch the ground-breaking Galaxy S22 Series. This June Mzansi got to see the unmissable GQ dual cover he shot with a Galaxy S22 Ultra. Breaking the rules of light, this famed photographer’s new smartphone was able to rise to the challenge of harsh and even low lighting to create imagery that will stand the test of time. Watch the videos to see how you can bring your own vision to life with pro-grade cameras, editing suite, as well as the Galaxy Note’s beloved S Pen, now built into a Galaxy S Series for the first time. With Samsung’s fastest processor, 2-day battery* and Galaxy’s most intelligent camera yet, unlimited creativity and productivity is now in your hands. Enjoy a few tips and tricks from the master.

Watch Austin edit photos using Galaxy S22 Ultra’s object eraser that cuts objects out of the photo without cropping, and turn to Photo Remaster which gives you the power to retouch with ease.

Just like Austin, you can use Galaxy S22 Ultra’s full quad camera system, record from multiple angles as well as the Selfie and Rear Cameras, all at once. Here’s how to create your own director’s cut.

Zoom in on the amazing features that can make you and the Galaxy S22 Ultra a formidable duo. Explore the Galaxy S22 Series here

^*Estimated against the usage profile of an average/typical user. Independently assessed by Strategy Analytics between 2021.12.08–12.20 in USA and UK with pre-release versions of SM-S901, SM-S906, SM-S908 under default setting using 5G Sub6 networks (NOT tested under 5G mmWave network). Actual battery life varies by network environment, features and apps used, frequency of calls and messages, number of times charged, and many other factors. The total usage time with fully charged device may vary by usage behaviour.

GQ’s incredible Dual Cover, shot with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, is a collaboration that commands a second glance. Molife Kumona, GQ’s Editor-in-Chief and celebrated photographer Austin Malema were clearly impressed by this innovative use of Samsung’s latest camera technology in its latest edition. Discover these professionals’ expert views on why the Galaxy S22 Ultra is a scene-stealer, in the exclusive behind-the-scenes videos below.

As the crew set up for close-ups on Springbok Makazole Mapimpi, in a sophisticated low-light indoor scene, Austin took time out to share his insights on using the Galaxy S22 Ultra. He immediately recognised the convenience of having what feels like a photography’s kit in an easy to carry device. The ability to shoot RAW files which he can easily then edit at home held great appeal to him. Watch the video to find out what he would shoot with the Space Zoom feature.

Check out Austin Malema’s behind the scene sit down: 

The enigmatic Molife seems to have wholly embraced the photographic possibilities the Galaxy S series is famous for – having green-lit the use of the Galaxy S21 Ultra on a GQ South Africa cover last year. He was eager to explore the evolutionary new innovations in the Galaxy S22 Ultra including Samsung’ biggest pixel sensor ever. For a shoot that moved from bright sunlight to low-lit interiors, the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s ability to automatically pull in more light and tone down lens flare gave the crew the freedom to adapt and innovate – on the go. This is why he also chose to shoot in Portrait Mode, which brought out colours in infinite clarity, despite changing lighting conditions. Live-editing with the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s built-in S Pen made this editor’s fascinating job even easier. Watch the video below to find out which smartphone colour the man in the know thinks is most on-trend.

Check out Molife Kumona’s behind the scene sit down: 

The unmissable Dual Cover, captured by the Galaxy S22 Ultra is out now.

Linda Mtoba, the multi-award winning South African actress, fashion and digital content creator has #SwitchedToGalaxy and officially joins as a Samsung South Africa brand partner for 2022. Samsung proudly welcomed the trend-setting fashionista, who was selected for her unique and innovative approach to lifestyle content creation. Samsung’s many Galaxy fans share the brands admiration for the way Linda has forged a meaningful connection with her followers while inspiring them to embrace life in liberating new ways.

Linda Mtoba says she is looking forward to working with Samsung and innovative products that capture her imagination and designer eye, such as the Galaxy S22 Ultra. She says, “It’s like it’s made for content creators like me. Along with Samsung’s home products that allow me to personalise my space and express my creative flair, I feel an immediate synergy with the brand and am ready to take this collaboration to epic levels.”

“We are excited to have Linda Mtoba join the Samsung family. We believe her reach and audience will allow us to share our product ethos with more people and deliver higher engagement for the brand. Linda comes as a unique model of both celebrity and a relatable person who has adopted to the content requirements of the ever evolving social media landscape. We are looking forward to see the positive results of this collaboration with her,” Dudu Mokholo, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Africa.

Linda and Samsung are setting the stage for showcase authentic feature stories across Samsung’s pioneering range of mobile and consumer electronics

The Galaxy S22 series are the most powerful devices Samsung has ever created. Considering the incredible benchmarks, they have already set, the sky is no longer the limit in mobile innovation. Guests such as Hayleigh Chamberlain, the number #1 Top Tech Youtuber in the country, eagerly hopped onto a helicopter to test the exciting Galaxy S22 Series camera technology, from a whole new perspective.

Everyone who took to the skies experienced the wonder of Galaxy Nightography, mesmerizing approaches to turn the dark into light, capturing the smallest details in high-solution – showcasing how Galaxy S22 is breaking the rules of light². Before jumping on to the helicopter, renowned cinematographer Scott Hurley raised the super-powerful Galaxy S22 Ultra to the sky, activated Hybrid Space Zoom, aimed it at the moon, and went further than any of his fellow guests. The video below shows the intense clarity and startling picture quality he was able to achieve – of an object almost 400 000km away.

Scott Hurly:

Being trailblazer themselves, Sarah Langa and Koketso Chipane put their directors’ hats on as they explored the incredibly empowering Director’s View feature in the Galaxy S22 series. Watch below as they captured all the action and reactions of the night, showcasing the Galaxy S22’s Night Mode and epic 4K capabilities, which even brought locations in Sandton, kilometres from the venue – closer. Breaking the rules of distance is yet another way the Galaxy S22 Series is creating epic new experiences.

Sarah Langa:

Koketso Chipane:

Packed with Samsung’s latest AI technology and new Nightography features, the Galaxy S22 and S22+ support next-level camera experiences, ensuring that your content remains crisp and clear, day or night. The smartphones’ super-fast 4nm processor powers users through even the busiest of days, while their sleek and durable Armor Aluminium design is built to last. The Galaxy S22 Ultra, meanwhile, combines the unrivalled power of the Note series with the S series’ pro-grade camera and performance, and is the first Galaxy S series device to feature a built-in S Pen – Samsung’s fastest and most responsive yet.

Are you ready to break the rules with the Galaxy S22 series?

Disclaimers:

¹Estimated against the usage profile of an average/typical user. Independently assessed by Strategy Analytics between 2021.12.08–12.20 in USA and UK with pre-release versions of SM-S901, SM-S906, SM-S908 under default setting using 5G Sub6 networks (NOT tested under 5G mmWave network). Actual battery life varies by network environment, features and apps used, frequency of calls and messages, number of times charged, and many other factors. The total usage time with fully charged device may vary by usage behaviour.

²Adaptive Pixel only works with high resolution photos, not at basic resolution.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa –12 February 2021 – These days, when it comes to capturing precious moments, spectacular weather, or a delicious dish, a smartphone camera is an absolute necessity. It should come as no surprise that, according to a Samsung survey, an overwhelming number of consumers rank the camera and camera-related features among the top three factors that matter most when buying a new smartphone. The camera’s importance has been amplified as social media platforms have grown more popular, and as more smartphone users have begun to create their own content.

Since releasing its first camera phone, the SCH-V200, in 2000, Samsung has remained a leader in the industry by relentlessly advancing the camera phone segment. The Galaxy S series’ innovative cameras are the culmination of years of experience developing groundbreaking technologies. Follow along as we explore just how much the series’ cameras have evolved over the last 11 years – from the launch of the very first Galaxy S in 2010, all the way up to the recently introduced Galaxy S21.

The first Galaxy S device featured a VGA-class front camera that was capable of making video calls, as well as a 5-megapixel (MP) rear camera that could record HD videos. The rear camera also included built-in autofocus, facial recognition and anti-shake functions, and featured a Panorama Shot mode, which allowed users to capture an image of a scene that was much wider than what they saw on their screen.

Introduced a year after the Galaxy S, the Galaxy S2 featured a thoroughly enhanced camera. Included among the upgrades were boosts in pixel counts – 2 megapixels in the front and 8 megapixels in the rear – and an LED flash to facilitate night shots. Other fun additions included an improved autofocus feature, which made it easier to focus the camera on a desired subject, and a cartoon-inspired feature that transformed photos into hand-drawn images.

Introduced with 2012’s Galaxy S3, Burst Shot offered users the perfect tool for capturing blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments like fun jump-in-the-air shots. Both the 1.9MP front camera and the 8MP rear camera supported the mode, which allowed users to take up to 20 pictures in the space of 3.3 seconds. The cameras also featured a Best Photo mode, which helped users select the best photo out of eight continuous shots, and a Zero Shutter Lag mode, which guaranteed that there would be no delay between the moment the user tapped the shutter button and the picture was produced.

The Galaxy S4 ushered in the era of 10-plus megapixel cameras by combining a 2MP front camera with a 13MP rear camera. The smartphone also introduced features that changed how users captured special moments, and in doing so, transformed their pictures into stories. For example, the camera’s Dual Shot mode allowed users to capture images with both cameras at the same time, producing a photo in which the photographer and the subject occupied the same frame. Other features unique to the Galaxy S4’s camera experience included Sound & Shot, which allowed users to record audio to accompany their images, and Drama Shot, which let users take multiple pictures in quick succession and combine them into an image that tells the story better than a single photo could.

The Galaxy S5 was a landmark release, as it was the first smartphone in the industry to feature a 16MP ISOCELL camera. The ISOCELL image sensor enhanced image quality with less cross-pixel interference, making it possible to take clearer pictures even in the dark. The camera also featured an upgraded HDR mode for enhancing photos. When taking pictures or recording videos, applying the HDR feature allowed users to enjoy vibrant images even in dimly lit rooms or environments with heavy backlighting.

To make it easier for smartphone users to capture more moments, Samsung introduced a Quick Launch function with the Galaxy S6 that allowed users to launch the camera in just 0.7 seconds, simply by tapping the home button twice on any screen. A function that automatically tracked and focused on moving objects enhanced image sharpness, while a 5MP F1.9 lens was installed on the front to boost selfie quality.

The Galaxy S7 incorporated a dual pixel image sensor – a technology featured in high-end DSLR cameras – to allow users to quickly snap crisp and clear photos even when they’re in the dark. The sensor worked by splitting every pixel into two photodiodes for on-chip phase detection, providing vastly improved autofocus performance. The camera also introduced a selfie flash mode, which would cause the screen to flash when taking a selfie to produce a brighter shot. Together, the Galaxy S7’s camera innovations achieved a then-record DxOMark Mobile Score of 88 points.

A perfect photo requires proper lighting and minimal movement from your subject. Unfortunately, while those may be the perfect conditions, they’re also conditions that we rarely find ourselves in when taking a shot.

To help users snap better photos, the Galaxy S8 introduced an improved image signal process algorithm that ensured clear, stable images regardless of time or place. It achieved this by taking three consecutive photos and selecting the best one. Because the device’s large, 6.2-inch¹ display could prove difficult for some to manage with one hand, gesture-based controls were also introduced to help users operate the camera. For example, with the camera open, swiping left or right with your thumb would toggle filters or modes, while swiping up or down would allow you to switch between the front and rear cameras or zoom in or out.

To help ensure that users’ photos would come out well in various environments, the Galaxy S9 introduced a Dual Aperture camera that would automatically adjust to ambient light just like the human eye – widening in the dark and shrinking in bright light. The camera featured the brightest F1.5/F2.4 lens available in a smartphone at the time, which allowed it to absorb approximately 28 percent more light than the previous model, resulting in clearer pictures even in dark settings.

Samsung also enhanced the camera with functions designed to help users express themselves more effectively. The camera’s Super Slow-mo feature allowed users to record videos at 960 frames per second, making it possible to capture movements or moments that are too fast for the human eye to see. Once they finished recording, the function made it easy for users to share these epic slow-mo moments as GIFs on social media. Another notable addition was AR Emoji – a function that utilized the camera and augmented reality technology to allow users to create AR avatars that could mimic their facial expressions in real time.

By the time the Galaxy S10 was released in 2019, smartphone users were creating more content than ever before. To cater to this trend, the Galaxy S10 introduced Super Steady mode. The function greatly enhanced the quality of users’ recordings through video stabilisation, making it perfect for recording smooth content when enjoying activities like cycling and dancing. The Galaxy S10’s HDR10+ support produced true-to-life colors in users’ videos, while its 16MP Ultra Wide Camera captured scenes as users saw them with a field of view that was similar to the human eye (123 degrees).

The Galaxy S20’s camera performance was outstanding. Both the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s 108MP camera, as well as the 64MP shooter equipping the Galaxy S20 and S20+, were designed to capture each and every detail in a given scene.

Perhaps the most eye-catching camera enhancement was the Space Zoom function, which paired Hybrid Optic Zoom with AI-powered digital zoom. This allowed users to zoom much further into images – up to 100x in the case of the Galaxy S20 Ultra. In addition to supporting 8K video recording, the camera also included an upgraded Super Steady mode that took camera stability a step further thanks to an anti-rolling stabiliser and AI-based motion analysis.

To offer users the ability to capture moments of their lives in more meaningful ways, Samsung equipped the Galaxy S21 series with a pro-grade camera that enhances content using on-device AI. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first Samsung smartphone to feature two telephoto lenses, and boasts five cameras in all: a 40MP (F2.2) front camera, a 12MP (F2.2) rear ultra-wide camera, a 108MP (F1.8) rear main camera, a 10MP (F4.9) rear telephoto camera, and a 10MP (F2.4) rear telephoto camera. The Galaxy S21 and S21+, meanwhile, feature a total of four cameras: a 10MP (F2.2) front camera, a 12MP (F2.2) rear ultra-wide camera, a 12MP (F1.8) rear main camera, and a 64MP (F4.9) rear telephoto camera.

The cameras of the Galaxy S21 series are packed with features designed to help you capture the moments that matter most. The combination of anti-shake technology, 10x optical zoom, and both laser and dual-pixel autofocus enables the cameras to produce results that rival those of high-end DSLRs. The new Director’s View feature, meanwhile, helps users pick the perfect lens for their photo by placing three preview screens beneath the camera’s viewfinder. The Galaxy S21 series also offers creators the ability to utilise the selfie and rear cameras simultaneously to create unforgettable video content.

Each camera additionally supports 4K video recording at 60fps (frames per second), and the dual telephoto lens setup is especially adept at capturing vivid photos from virtually any distance. Furthermore, with an upgraded 108MP lens and nona-binning technology, the Galaxy S21 series ensure bright and clear photos even in low-light environments.

¹ Measurement describes the Galaxy S8+; the Galaxy S8 featured a 5.8-inch display

* Images in this article have been edited to enhance readers’ understanding of various camera features

* Camera specifications and features may vary by region