Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: A Camera Designed for Creators

Key Takeaways

1. Introduction of APV Codec: The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the first phone in the Galaxy line to use the new Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, developed with Qualcomm for enhanced mobile video production.

2. Enhanced Video Quality: APV retains more visual data during capturing and editing compared to standard codecs like HEVC, avoiding loss of intricate details.

3. Recording Capabilities: The phone supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second with APV, requiring about 10% less storage space than similar formats while maintaining visual quality.

4. User-Friendly Features: Users can easily activate APV in the camera settings and choose between different profiles for quality and file size, with support for recording to external USB storage.

5. Focus on Content Creators: APV is aimed at experienced creators, positioning the Galaxy S26 Ultra as a preferred option for video production, alongside other software enhancements like AirDrop support.


Samsung has released a new official guide that explains the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, highlighting a unique feature aimed at content creators. In a post dated March 23, Samsung announces that the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the first phone in the Galaxy line to utilize the APV codec, which was created in partnership with Qualcomm to enhance mobile video production.

Improved Video Quality

According to Samsung, the APV codec is crafted to retain more visual data during both capturing and editing compared to standard smartphone codecs. The company contrasts APV with HEVC, noting that heavier compression can cause the loss of intricate details, such as textures and water droplets, especially after multiple encodings. APV is designed to maintain quality during post-production, addressing these concerns.

Recording Capabilities

The Galaxy S26 Ultra allows recording with APV at a maximum resolution of 8K at 30 frames per second. Samsung claims that this codec requires about 10% less storage space than similar formats while still delivering equivalent visual quality.

Additional information from Samsung’s developer documentation reveals more technical details. The Galaxy S26 Ultra supports APV 422 HQ and APV 422 LQ profiles, with recording available in resolutions ranging from HD to 8K, based on the selected frame rate. Furthermore, APV recording can function with both internal and external storage, as long as there is at least 10% free space in the internal storage for ongoing recordings.

User-Friendly Features

To activate APV, users can navigate to Camera > Settings > Video Format > APV, where they can select either APV HDR or APV Log. The choice between APV 422 HQ for high-quality video and APV 422 LQ for smaller file sizes is also available. Samsung highlights that users can record footage directly to external USB storage, which is particularly beneficial for extended shoots and demanding editing processes.

APV was first mentioned during the Galaxy S26 series launch in February, where it was presented as a new option for experienced creators focused on production. The March 23 update does not alter the phone’s hardware, but it offers Samsung a more effective way to promote the Galaxy S26 Ultra to users who prioritize video production over the latest AI functionalities.

In a different announcement on March 23, Samsung revealed that it would be integrating AirDrop support into Quick Share for the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, which adds yet another software feature to the flagship series.

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