At SDC23, Samsung revealed its plans to bring an Advanced Professional Video Codec. Now developments align with the APV codec launch in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Google’s adoption in Android 16.
Advanced Professional Video codec was first discussed at the Samsung Developer Conference in October 2023. Samsung is allegedly preparing to introduce APV codec with the Galaxy S25 Ultra along with support for Android 16.
For a while, Samsung might keep APV codec limited to its upcoming Galaxy flagship phones. Android 16 is adding support for the next-gen codec, but Pixel availability is unlikely till late 2025.
Android 16’s development framework suggests the OS is adding support for Samsung’s APV codec. A new directory of APV has been added that lists a handful of related entries solidifying a potential adaptation.
Advanced Professional Video Codec
APV aims to offer top-notch video quality through smartphone cameras. Samsung has developed this advanced codec to address the unique needs of the growing ecosystem for cinematic-quality video recording and post-production.
Advanced Professional Video codec is slated to offer perceptually lossless video quality. It also consumes 20% less storage than existing formats such as HEVC while providing versatile features that enable high-quality recording.
With APV supported, the Galaxy S25 Ultra could also provide ease of real-time editing needed for professional video coding applications apart from quality videography using the smartphone camera.
APV codec launch and expansion
If Samsung’s APV codec relies primarily on software processing, it could be provided to select existing Galaxy and Pixel phones via a software update. If its reliance is hardware, expansion to older models like the Galaxy S24 series and Pixel 9 series is unlikely.
Samsung could share more on its plans for APV at the Galaxy Unpacked next month. Google may also join the Unpacked stage to share its work on the APV’s adaptation of the upcoming Android 16 operating system.
Don’t miss the biggest S25 Ultra specs sheet on the internet:
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – Specifications, Price and Launch Date
