For most of us, taking a photo or recording a video on a smartphone involves a simple tap on the screen. However, as mobile cameras get better, the line between “mobile photography” and professional production continues to blur. Recent findings within Samsung‘s software suggest the company is preparing to take a big leap toward the filmmaking world. More specifically, Samsung could integrate support for pro camera accessories on Galaxy phones with its upcoming One UI 8.5 update.
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 to turn Galaxy S26 into a professional cinema camera
Fresh discoveries by Android Authority in the code for Samsung’s Camera Assistant app points to a new partnership with TILTA. The latter is a brand well-known among cinematographers for high-end camera rigs and wireless lens controllers. These are the types of tools used on movie sets to pull focus with mechanical precision. The benefits of these tools have traditionally been impossible to replicate on a touch screen.
If these features make it to the final release, likely debuting with the Galaxy S26 series, you could mount your phone onto a professional rig and control it using the same remote hardware used for cinema cameras. This would allow creators to adjust focus or zoom without ever touching the phone’s display. It would be great to eliminate the shakes and awkwardness of on-screen controls.
More resolution, less friction
Beyond hardware compatibility, One UI 8.5 may bring some highly requested internal upgrades. Currently, many Galaxy users have to download the separate Expert RAW app if they want more flexibility with their photo resolution. The new update looks to change that by integrating a 24MP mode directly into the stock camera app.
This middle-ground resolution is often considered the “sweet spot” for photography. It offers significantly more detail than a standard 12MP shot without creating the massive, storage-heavy files associated with 50MP or 200MP modes. The tweak will make professional-level choices more accessible to the average user.
The support for professional rigs sounds impressive. However, it does raise questions about how many people will actually use it. For the average person taking family photos or travel videos, a TILTA lens controller is overkill. However, for independent filmmakers and content creators who already own this equipment, the ability to integrate a Galaxy phone as a secondary or “B-roll” camera could be a significant convenience. Whether this is a genuine shift in strategy or a clever marketing move to position the Galaxy S26 series as “pro” devices remains to be seen.
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