TL;DR
Code discovered in a One UI 8.5 beta suggests Samsung will add video softening and finer autofocus controls to its Camera Assistant module, likely arriving with the Galaxy S26 series. The features are present in firmware strings but are not yet active, and it’s unclear if older Galaxy phones will receive them.
What happened
Developers and reporters examining the second One UI 8.5 beta found new camera-related strings that appear to target the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. The code — highlighted by Android Authority and summarized in reporting — includes a "Video softening" option that would reduce noise and smooth motion, and new settings for "Auto focus speed and sensitivity." The autofocus settings reference two controls: "shift sensitivity," which governs how quickly focus moves to new subjects in the frame, and "transition speed," which controls the pace of focus changes. The strings indicate user-selectable levels (for example, High and Medium for video softening) and an option to disable the feature. The items are present in the beta build but not functional, which the report interprets as Samsung preparing to enable them on new hardware via the Camera Assistant module. Leaks also tie the S26 launch to a later schedule, with an expected reveal around late February and retail availability rumored for March 2026.
Why it matters
- Greater software control could let users tune video quality and autofocus behavior to match shooting conditions or preferences.
- Video softening could reduce visible noise in low-light or high-ISO clips without requiring new sensors or lenses.
- Adjustable autofocus behavior would benefit creators who want faster subject tracking or smoother focus transitions for video.
- If released broadly, these features could improve the camera experience on multiple Galaxy devices, but rollout plans are not confirmed.
Key facts
- The new camera options were discovered in strings inside the second One UI 8.5 beta.
- Android Authority reported the code that revealed the features; the summary originates from that reporting.
- Video softening is described as reducing noise and making videos smoother, with High, Medium, or Off settings.
- Autofocus settings include controls labeled "Auto focus speed and sensitivity," "Shift sensitivity," and "Transition speed."
- Shift sensitivity controls how quickly autofocus moves to other people or objects entering the frame.
- Transition speed governs how fast the focus shifts from one subject to another.
- The features appear in the beta build but are not functional yet, suggesting they may debut with new hardware.
- Reports say Samsung has pushed the Galaxy S26 launch toward the end of February, with sales possibly starting in March 2026.
- Leaks indicate the Galaxy S26 could be more expensive than previous models, according to the reporting.
What to watch next
- Whether Samsung enables these Camera Assistant features in the final Galaxy S26 release (confirmed in the source: features present in beta strings but not functional).
- If and when Samsung rolls the features out to older models such as the Galaxy S25 series (not confirmed in the source).
- Official timing for the S26 announcement and on-sale date—reports point to a late-February reveal and March 2026 availability.
- Final feature names, UI placement, and capture-performance impact once Samsung publishes firmware or an official feature list.
Quick glossary
- One UI: Samsung’s Android-based user interface and software skin that runs on Galaxy phones and tablets.
- Camera Assistant: A software module in Samsung phones that exposes advanced camera options and image-processing features.
- Video softening: A processing option intended to reduce noise and smooth visual detail in recorded video.
- Autofocus: A camera system that automatically adjusts lens focus to keep subjects sharp.
- Beta build: A pre-release version of software distributed for testing and early feedback before a public release.
Reader FAQ
Will the Galaxy S26 ship with the new Video softening and autofocus settings?
The presence of the strings in One UI 8.5 beta suggests Samsung plans to ship them with the Galaxy S26 via Camera Assistant, but final confirmation awaits an official product announcement.
Can existing Galaxy phones get these features?
Not confirmed in the source.
What do "shift sensitivity" and "transition speed" control?
Shift sensitivity adjusts how quickly autofocus moves to new subjects; transition speed sets how fast focus shifts between objects.
When will the Galaxy S26 be announced and go on sale?
Reports indicate a launch pushed to late February with retail availability possibly starting in March 2026.
The Galaxy S26 may bring advanced camera features to your fingertips By Chethan Rao Published 25 minutes ago Chethan is a reporter at Android Police, focusing on the weekend news…
Sources
- The Galaxy S26 may bring advanced camera features to your fingertips
- Galaxy S26 Ultra could get a pro-level camera upgrade …
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera Gets f/1.4 Aperture Upgrade
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra may unlock advanced camera …
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