Samsung is making a decisive move to simplify the smart-home experience. The company has confirmed that its SmartThings platform will soon support Matter 1.5, a major update that finally brings smart cameras into the Matter ecosystem. A software update rolling out this month will allow users to connect Matter-certified cameras from third-party brands directly to the SmartThings app, reducing fragmentation and long-standing compatibility headaches.
This update marks an important milestone not just for Samsung, but for the broader smart-home industry, where cameras have traditionally remained locked into brand-specific apps and ecosystems.
Matter 1.5, introduced by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) in November, expands the standard beyond lights, plugs, and sensors. With camera support now included, SmartThings users will be able to manage indoor cameras, outdoor security cameras, and video doorbells alongside other connected devices in a single interface.
Once supported cameras are added, users can access essential features such as live video feeds, motion alerts, event history, and two-way audio directly from SmartThings. Advanced controls like pan, tilt, and zoom will also be available where supported by the hardware, giving users a richer and more consistent experience across brands.
For everyday users, this means fewer apps, fewer logins, and less confusion.
What Matter 1.5 brings to SmartThings
While cameras are the headline feature, Matter 1.5 also enhances other areas of the smart home. The update introduces better support for closure devices such as blinds, awnings, and garage doors, as well as improved energy management capabilities. These additions allow SmartThings to offer more detailed automation and monitoring, especially for users focused on energy efficiency and home security.
Combined with Samsung’s existing ecosystem of appliances, TVs, and mobile devices, the update positions SmartThings as a stronger central hub rather than just another control app.
Samsung teams up with global IoT brands
To accelerate adoption, Samsung has announced partnerships with global IoT players including Aqara, Eve, and Ulticam. These companies are actively developing Matter-based security cameras designed to work smoothly across platforms like SmartThings, Google Home, and Apple Home.
The first wave of these Matter-compatible cameras is expected to arrive starting March 2026. While that timeline may feel distant, industry watchers see it as a sign that camera makers are finally aligning behind a shared standard rather than competing silos.
Why this matters for Smart-Home users
For years, smart-home users have complained about complex setup processes, limited device compatibility, and being locked into single brands. Camera integration has been one of the biggest gaps in Matter’s promise of universal compatibility.
With this update, SmartThings users gain more freedom to choose camera brands based on features and price rather than ecosystem limitations. Everyday tasks like checking on pets, monitoring deliveries, or watching over a home while traveling become easier when everything lives inside one app.
Automation also gets a boost. Users can create routines where a video doorbell triggers lights, notifications, or recordings when motion is detected, all without relying on multiple services stitched together.
The addition of camera support has been widely welcomed by smart-home enthusiasts, many of whom see it as a turning point for Matter’s credibility. Online discussions suggest cautious optimism, with users hopeful that performance, privacy controls, and reliability will match the promise of simpler connectivity.
Samsung’s move also puts pressure on competitors to fully embrace Matter’s camera capabilities, accelerating a shift toward platform-agnostic smart homes.
What’s next for SmartThings
By embracing Matter 1.5, Samsung is signaling that SmartThings is no longer just about Samsung hardware. It’s about becoming a neutral, powerful control center for the entire home. While the real test will come when Matter-compatible cameras hit the market in larger numbers, this update lays the groundwork for a smarter, more flexible future.
For users tired of juggling apps and ecosystems, that future can’t arrive soon enough
