Samsung previews new Galaxy S26 AI camera features that let users edit and enhance photos with text prompts, add creative elements and merge images all within one app.
Samsung previews new Galaxy S26 AI camera features [Photo: X]
Samsung is pulling back the curtain on new AI-powered photography and editing features for its upcoming Galaxy S26 series, and tech fans are buzzing. The company’s latest teasers hint at a powerful suite of AI tools built straight into the camera app.
It lets users modify photos with simple text prompts, add creative elements, and even turn images into stickers without needing third‑party apps. These developments mark a clear focus on artificial intelligence as a defining feature of Samsung’s next flagship phones.
Samsung is positioning its AI camera suite as its own version of Pixel Studio, a feature previously offered by Google for its Pixel phones. Users can now make complex edits, like removing objects, adding new elements, or creating themed stickers, directly within the stock Camera app.
This new Pixel Studio‑like suite emphasizes simplicity: users no longer need to navigate separate editing apps or learn advanced tools. With natural language prompts, AI handles the heavy lifting, turning rough ideas into finished edits.
Samsung’s teasers go beyond basic photo enhancements. Users will be able to:
This unified AI workflow bundles capture, editing and sharing into one intuitive experience, eliminating the need for juggling between third‑party tools or complex menus.
Traditionally, deep photo editing on smartphones required multiple apps or advanced knowledge of editing tools. Samsung’s Galaxy AI system promises to interpret plain‑language instructions so users can say or type what they want, for example, “restore the missing part of this cake” or “make the sky vibrant at sunset”, and let the AI handle the rest.
This approach moves smartphone imaging closer to a creative assistant rather than just a tool for snapping pictures. Tasks that once took minutes or even hours in desktop editors could be done in seconds directly on the phone.
One standout aspect of Samsung’s upcoming AI suite is the ability to combine sketches with AI rendering. Users can draw shapes or doodles over their photos, and the system fills them with realistic details. For example, a simple sketch can become an integrated object in the photo, such as a UFO floating above a field.
The teaser videos also show how ordinary images, like that of a pet, can be converted into themed digital stickers, ready to share across social platforms. This type of creative tool appeals to social media users and casual photographers alike.
Not all of Samsung’s AI teasers have been greeted enthusiastically. Some promotional videos, especially those focused on low‑light video capabilities, were revealed to be AI‑generated rather than captured by an actual phone sensor. This sparked debate about how much the teasers reflect real hardware performance versus software simulation.
While Samsung included disclaimers about AI‑assisted generation, some tech observers questioned whether such marketing could undermine confidence in the phone’s true capabilities, particularly for features that depend heavily on real sensor performance.
Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25 will reveal the full Galaxy S26 series, including the standard S26, S26+ and the flagship S26 Ultra. While hardware updates this year may be modest, the company appears to be leaning heavily on software innovation, especially AI tools, to differentiate its latest flagships.
The promise of a “unified camera experience” means Samsung wants users to capture, edit and share content without leaving the native apps. By baking generative AI directly into the camera and gallery software, it’s creating a more seamless and creative photography ecosystem.
For everyday users, these AI editing features could transform how people interact with photos and videos. Whether restoring an imperfect photo, enhancing night shots, or creating fun sticker packs, the technology is designed to make creative expression faster, easier and more intuitive.
This could also level the playing field for casual photographers who previously relied on desktop software or paid apps for similar effects.
As mobile imaging becomes more AI‑centric, Samsung is positioning itself to compete not just with traditional smartphone makers but also with companies emphasising generative AI experiences, including Google and Apple.
How these tools perform in real‑world use, and how they compare to competing systems like Pixel Studio, will shape buyer perceptions when the Galaxy S26 lineup hits the market.
