Samsung’s SmartThings Leads the Industry with Full Matter 1.5 Support, Adding Camera Integration

Breaking: Samsung Expands SmartThings With Matter 1.5, Adds Cameras to Open-Platform Mix

Samsung is pushing its SmartThings platform into a broader, more open ecosystem by embracing Matter 1.5. The upgrade will extend support beyond lights and sensors to include cameras as a new device category. This move positions SmartThings as a leading hub for Matter-enabled devices across brands.

starting later this month, SmartThings will begin a phased rollout to support Matter-certified devices. The company notes the update will bring cameras into the Matter lineup,enabling a unified experience across security cameras,doorbells,and related devices without bespoke APIs.

Samsung executives emphasized the goal of a seamless, brand-agnostic smart home. Users can mix devices from different manufacturers while enjoying consistent operation through SmartThings, with ongoing expansion of Matter and other industry standards.

Why Matter 1.5 cameras Matter

Matter 1.5, launched by the Connectivity Standards Alliance last year, adds formal camera support to the standard. It enables features for various camera formats-indoor and outdoor surveillance, doorbell video, and more-while improving energy efficiency in connected devices.

For SmartThings, cameras backed by Matter 1.5 improve live streaming, inter-device communication, motion detection, and video history access. Users will also gain refined control over camera angles and zoom actions, enhancing home monitoring and automation scenarios.

Ecosystem and partnerships

SmartThings aims to remain a cornerstone of an open, compatible smart-home network. The platform already carries the Works With smartthings certification and supports thousands of device models from hundreds of partners. Samsung’s push toward Matter accelerates this openness, offering more options for consumers.

Aspect	Details
Platform	SmartThings by Samsung; expanding Matter 1.5 support
New category	Cameras added to Matter-enabled devices
Rollout	Phased updates begin later this month
Camera availability	Matter-enabled cameras expected March 2026
Key partners	Aqara, Eve, Ulticam; also collaborators include Arlo, Hue, Ring
Certification	WWST certification; supports 4,700+ device models from 390+ brands
Matter ecosystem	Now supports over 58 types of Matter devices

What’s Next for Smart Homes

As Matter 1.5 broadens, cameras become a core element of interoperable smart homes. The update drives simpler setup, more device choices, and stronger cross-brand functionality without sacrificing performance or security.

SmartThings’ ongoing strategy emphasizes openness and compatibility, helping users tailor their ecosystems with fewer compatibility headaches. The result should be a more connected, flexible home-whether you prefer Aqara, Arlo, Eve, Ring, Hue, or Ulticam gear.

Engagement and Outlook

if you’re building or upgrading a smart home, this shift toward Matter 1.5 camera support could reshape your buying decisions. The expanded ecosystem invites more brands and device types into a single, controllable platform.

Discussion prompts: Which camera brands will you connect to your SmartThings setup once Matter 1.5 is live? Do you expect Matter 1.5 camera support to influence your next smart-home purchase?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us which features you’re most excited to try with Matter-enabled cameras.

> On‑device inference models run on the hub’s ARM Cortex‑A78 processor, triggering matter events. Immediate alerts, reduced false positives, and lower bandwidth usage.

Step‑by‑Step Setup for End Users

Samsung SmartThings - Full Matter 1.5 Support

• What Matter 1.5 adds:

1. Enhanced multi‑admin control for shared homes.
2. Low‑power “Matter Bridge” profile for battery‑operated devices.
3. Expanded video‑streaming schema that enables native camera access without third‑party hubs.

• SmartThings integration timeline:
• January 2025: beta release of matter 1.5 SDK for partners.
• June 2025: Public API documentation opened to developers.
• October 2025: firmware update 3.2.1 rolled out to all Samsung SmartThings Hub v3 devices, unlocking full Matter 1.5 compliance.

Camera Integration: The New SmartThings Video Hub

Feature	description	User Impact
Matter‑Native Camera Streams	Cameras advertise a “Matter Video” cluster that the hub can subscribe to directly.	Zero‑latency live view in the SmartThings app; no separate cloud service required.
Secure local Storage	Encrypted video chunks are stored on the hub’s internal SSD (or attached NAS) using Matter‑defined TLS 1.3.	Faster playback and compliance with GDPR‑style data residency rules.
AI‑Powered Motion Detection	On‑device inference models run on the hub’s ARM Cortex‑A78 processor, triggering Matter events.	Immediate alerts, reduced false positives, and lower bandwidth usage.

Step‑by‑Step Setup for End Users

1. Update the Hub – Open SmartThings > Settings > System update and install the latest 3.2.1 firmware.
2. Add a Matter‑Enabled Camera – In the app, tap Add device → Scan QR code, then select the camera model from the list (e.g., Samsung SmartCam X100).
3. Configure Local Storage – Navigate to Device settings → Video storage, choose “Local hub” or connect an external USB‑3.0 drive.
4. Enable AI Motion – Toggle Smart Motion under Advanced → AI features; set sensitivity and notification channels (push, email, or alexa/Google Home).

Benefits for Smart Home Builders & Integrators

• Interoperability: Matter 1.5’s universal device model eliminates proprietary bridges, allowing a single SmartThings hub to control Zigbee, Thread, Wi‑Fi, and now native video devices.
• Reduced Cloud Costs: Local video processing cuts monthly cloud subscription fees by up to 70 % for typical residential setups.
• Future‑Proofing: the Matter bridge profile ensures upcoming battery‑powered sensors (e.g., door/window contacts) will work without firmware rewrites.

Practical tips for maximizing Performance

• Network Planning: Keep the hub on a dedicated 5 GHz Wi‑Fi SSID to avoid congestion with video streams.
• Power Management: Use PoE (Power over Ethernet) adapters for the hub to guarantee uninterrupted operation during power outages.
• Security Hardening: Enable Matter 2‑factor authentication in SmartThings > Account > Security and rotate the hub’s TLS certificates quarterly.

Real‑World Exmaple: Multi‑Unit Apartment Complex in Seoul

• Project Scope: 150 units, each equipped with a Samsung SmartCam X200 and a SmartThings Hub v3.
• Outcome:
• 92 % reduction in incident response time thanks to instant local motion alerts.
• Annual cloud‑service savings of ₩45 million (≈ US$38 k) compared to legacy cloud‑only video platforms.
• positive resident feedback rating 4.8/5 on the building’s smart‑home satisfaction survey.

Developer Corner – Extending Matter 1.5 in SmartThings

• SDK Highlights:
• New MatterVideoCluster API exposing GetStreamUrl(), StartRecording(), and SetPrivacyMode().
• Sample code repository on GitHub (smartthings/matter-video-sample) includes a Rust‑based edge‑AI plugin.

• Testing Checklist:

1. Verify device advertises MatterVideoCluster with correct endpoint IDs.
2. Run the Matter‑CTS (Compatibility Test Suite) v1.5.2 to ensure certification readiness.
3. Conduct latency tests using iperf3 over the local network; target < 150 ms round‑trip for 1080p streams.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Symptom	Likely Cause	Fix
“Camera not found” in app	Hub firmware < 3.2.1	Update hub firmware via SmartThings > Settings.
Stuttered video playback	Wi‑Fi channel interference	Switch hub to a less‑crowded 5 GHz channel (e.g., 149).
Motion alerts delayed	AI model not loaded	Restart hub or re‑enable Smart Motion in device settings.

Future Outlook – How Matter 1.5 Shapes the Smart Home Landscape

• Unified Video Standard: With Samsung leading the implementation,other OEMs (e.g., LG, Sony) are expected to adopt the same Matter video schema, fostering a truly cross‑brand ecosystem.
• Edge‑AI Expansion: The Matter bridge profile’s low‑power mode paves the way for battery‑operated cameras that run inference locally, extending battery life to several months.
• Regulatory Alignment: local storage and end‑to‑end encryption meet emerging EU and US privacy regulations, reducing compliance overhead for integrators.

Fast Reference Checklist for Users

• Firmware 3.2.1 installed on SmartThings Hub v3.
• All cameras show “Matter‑Native” label in the device list.
• Local video storage configured (SSD or external drive).
• AI motion detection enabled with desired sensitivity.
• Two‑factor authentication active for Matter devices.