Samsung has published an interview, on its official newsroom, with the three engineers behind "Cinematic LUT (Cine LUT)," the video feature built into its latest "Galaxy S26 series" smartphones[1]. The feature, which makes professional-grade color grading—once the domain of specialists—accessible to anyone with a single tap, took shape through a new video codec called "APV" and a collaboration with an outside studio[1][2].
Bringing pro color to everyone
Cine LUT is a feature that converts the color of recorded video into an intended mood[1]. Sugon Baek of the MX division, one of the interviewees, explains that while ordinary filters simply layer color on top, Cine LUT reconstructs footage based on Log recordings to deliver the depth of cinematic expression[1]. Log recording captures brightness information using a logarithmic curve, and is notable for preserving rich detail especially in shadow areas[1].
According to Bomi Kim of Samsung Research, Cine LUT is optimized for Log video, and by precisely rebuilding color and brightness using its wide tonal range, it can retain the subtle tones that conventional filters tend to lose[1]. Galaxy smartphones have long supported Log recording, but post-shoot color grading was a high hurdle for ordinary users[1]. Kim says the team aimed for an experience where users can enjoy professional-level expression without specialized editing skills[1].
Baek says development was guided by a seamless experience: previewing a cinematic finish while shooting, then applying a LUT in the gallery afterward and sharing it directly[1].
The new "APV" codec and a colorist collaboration
The foundation of Cine LUT is "Advanced Professional Video (APV)," a video codec included for the first time on the Galaxy S26 Ultra[1]. APV maintains high image quality while minimizing degradation during editing, and is positioned as a new foundation for video production on smartphones[1]. Samsung has released APV as open source and provides specifications and related materials on its developer site[3].
The color design involved "U5K Imageworks," a studio that handles color grading for films worldwide[1]. According to its CEO, Taesik Eom, the collaboration with Samsung began two years ago with advisory work on a "Rec.709 LUT" for Log video[1]. For this project, the team produced multiple versions across three intensity levels—"Neutral," "Soft," and "Strong"—and, after repeated testing across various scenes, selected four core styles[1].
Development spanned both internal and external teams[1]. The MX division handled the final camera implementation, Samsung Research developed the core video processing technology, and U5K Imageworks designed the visual aesthetics[1]. Kim says that, based on the color direction U5K proposed, the team repeatedly verified performance against quantitative criteria so it would stay consistent across different shooting environments, refining it until creative intent and technical quality aligned at a high level[1].
Four styles and the challenges faced in development
The Galaxy S26 series' Cine LUT offers four styles[1]. Baek says the team analyzed the visual expressions common to popular movie genres and arrived at four: the high-contrast "Blockbuster," the fresh "Coming-of-age," the warm "Romance," and the moody "Thriller"[1]. Eom adds that the best style differs by scene—the high-contrast Blockbuster suits outdoor and urban scenery, while Coming-of-age fits softer settings such as cafes and vlogs[1].
A major challenge in development was color inconsistency caused by shooting environments[1]. Kim recalls that a large dataset was needed to verify performance across diverse environments, so the team ran repeated tests under real conditions such as natural light, indoor lighting, and day and night[1]. Baek likewise says keeping consistent, natural color while lighting and exposure change moment to moment was difficult, and continuous verification was essential to balance users' intuitive preferences with objective image quality[1].
On user reactions, Baek says that although he initially worried the feature might be seen as just another video effect, the response exceeded expectations, and a growing number of users switch styles depending on the scene[1].
Summary
The Galaxy S26 series' Cine LUT is a feature born from the foundation of the APV codec and the collaboration between an internal research division and an outside studio[1]. It reflects an aim to lower the hurdle of video production—once requiring professional skills—so anyone can easily enjoy cinematic visual expression[1][2].
