Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Gets Blackmagic Camera Update with 6K Open Gate and APV (2026)
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Gets Blackmagic Camera Update with 6K Open Gate and APV (2026)
The Blackmagic Camera app has just received a substantial update for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — and it significantly expands what is already one of the most capable smartphone video systems available.
With version 3.2.2, Blackmagic introduces a series of features that feel less like incremental improvements and more like a shift towards a genuinely professional workflow. Among the most notable additions are 6K Open Gate recording, Samsung Log support, the new APV professional codec, and true 25fps PAL recording in 8K.
For those working seriously with mobile video, these are meaningful changes.
This kind of workflow will already be familiar to those using apps such as Lightroom or Darkroom, but Blackmagic Camera takes it further into true video territory.
The introduction of 6K Open Gate recording is arguably the most important update here. Unlike standard video formats, Open Gate captures the full sensor area, giving far more flexibility when reframing footage in post-production.
For photographers and filmmakers used to thinking in multiple aspect ratios — vertical, square, cinematic — this is a significant advantage. A single clip can now be adapted for different outputs without sacrificing composition or resolution.
The addition of Samsung Log further strengthens the S26 Ultra’s position as a serious video tool. Log recording preserves more dynamic range, allowing for more nuanced colour grading — particularly important in high-contrast scenes.
Alongside this comes APV (Advanced Professional Video), Samsung’s higher-quality codec designed as an alternative to HEVC. While HEVC remains efficient, APV prioritises image integrity, making it a better choice for those intending to push footage in post-production.
Together, these two features bring the device closer to workflows traditionally associated with dedicated cinema cameras.
Proper Motion Control with Shutter Priority
Another long-requested addition is Shutter Priority mode, which allows users to maintain a consistent shutter speed — crucial for achieving natural motion blur.
For filmmakers following the 180-degree shutter rule, this removes one of the long-standing frustrations of smartphone video. Exposure can now be balanced without compromising motion rendering, resulting in footage that feels more cinematic and controlled.
8K Recording with PAL Support
The update also introduces true 25 fps recording in 8K, addressing a practical limitation for users in PAL regions, including the UK and much of Europe.
This small but important change ensures better compatibility with existing workflows, particularly for those producing content for broadcast or professional delivery standards.
LUT Support and Workflow Improvements
Blackmagic has also expanded LUT support, including burn-in options via the OpenGL pipeline. While there are still some limitations, this allows filmmakers to preview colour grading choices in real time — a valuable addition when shooting on location.
A Genuine Shift Towards Professional Mobile Filmmaking
What is most striking about this update is not any single feature, but how they work together.
The combination of Open Gate capture, Log recording, a higher-quality codec, and improved exposure control creates a far more cohesive and capable system. It positions the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra not simply as a smartphone with a good camera, but as a device that can integrate into more serious filmmaking workflows.
For readers interested in expanding their mobile toolkit, it’s also worth exploring our guide to the best video and camera apps for mobile photography, where Blackmagic Camera continues to stand out as one of the most powerful options available.
For those working more seriously with mobile workflows, I’ve written in more detail about the best camera and video apps for iPhone, where the Blackmagic Camera app continues to stand out for its depth and control.
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Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photography journalist, editor, curator, and the founder of *TheAppWhisperer.com*, one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to mobile photography and art. Since its launch in 2009, TheAppWhisperer has become an international hub for artists of all levels to discover, learn, exhibit, and engage with contemporary photographic practice.Built on principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and artistic excellence, Joanne has spent almost two decades championing mobile photography as a serious artistic medium. Through interviews, critical essays, exhibitions, competitions, and education, she has helped shape and document the evolution of mobile art on a global scale.Her work has taken her internationally, lecturing on photography and mobile art at institutions and events including the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, alongside appearances in the UK and Europe. She has served as a juror for international photography and mobile art awards across Portugal, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the UK.Joanne is also the founder of *TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com*, one of the first online galleries dedicated exclusively to collectible mobile art, connecting artists with collectors across Europe, the United States, and Asia.Before founding TheAppWhisperer, Joanne worked extensively in print journalism and photographic publishing, including roles at a paparazzi photo agency and as deputy editor of a leading photography magazine. Her freelance journalism, criticism, and commentary have been published widely in both the UK and the US, with bylines in *The Times*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Guardian*, *Popular Photography*, *NikonPro*, *DPReview*, *Which?*, *Vogue Italia*, *LensCulture*, the *BBC*, and more recently, the *Financial Times*, where her published letters on photography continue to contribute to wider conversations around the medium.Alongside her editorial and curatorial work, Joanne’s own photographic practice has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her work increasingly explores themes of grief, loss, death, memory, and the body.Her current research interests centre on grief, death, and poverty, with forthcoming postgraduate study leading towards doctoral research in these areas.Joanne is currently developing new long-form writing and photographic projects and is available for commissions, editorial projects, speaking engagements, and collaborations.Contact: joannetheappwhisperer@gmail.com)
