Aqara’s G350 introduces Matter 1.5 camera compatibility, aiming for better smart home connectivity. However, it’s currently limited to Samsung SmartThings.
The G350, a pan-and-tilt indoor security camera with up to 4K resolution, is the first to support Matter after camera support was added to the standard last year. Despite multiple firmware updates, it’s only streaming live feeds for now, not fully leveraging Samsung’s promised Matter camera capabilities in SmartThings.
This camera features dual lenses — 4K wide-angle and 2.5K telephoto — with 9x hybrid zoom and includes a 360-degree coverage via a compact pan-tilt mechanism. It also supports multiple platforms like Apple HomeKit Secure Video, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home through the cloud, with options for local storage on a microSD card or RTSP support for platforms like Home Assistant.
Initially, the camera had issues integrating as a Matter device directly with SmartThings, defaulting to a hub setup. It required updating through the Aqara app to enable Matter 1.5 support, where eventually SmartThings recognized it as a camera using Matter’s multi-admin feature.
Matter’s camera support allows comprehensive management in one platform, but currently, SmartThings limits full functionality. Only live streaming, two-way talk, and snapshots work. Advanced controls and video history are yet to be enabled. Future firmware updates are expected to include these features.
While the camera showcased impressive performance in local streaming and audio, issues remain with pan-tilt controls and motion-activated recording. It’s uncertain if a subscription will be necessary for recorded footage access via SmartThings, with Aqara’s service being a possible alternative.
Despite promising features like smart alerts and advanced integrations, these remain restricted to Aqara’s app for now. Users experienced discrepancies between iOS and Android usability in the SmartThings app, with varying levels of functionality.
As only SmartThings currently supports Matter cameras, broader integration from platforms like Apple and Home Assistant remains speculative. Google and Amazon’s commitment to Matter is unclear due to their existing ecosystems.
Though rudimentary, this initial Matter camera integration shows potential. There’s hope for a future where Matter parallels Apple’s HomeKit, offering open, secure, and integrated smart home camera solutions. Currently, G350’s Matter support is limited, but it marks a significant step forward.