It’s a narrow path from AI photo editing tools to turning your camera into a complete trickery device.
Samsung’s next Unpacked event is expected on February 25th, where the Galaxy S26 series could be revealed, including the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, enhanced with new AI features. This comes as no surprise, but as AI integrates more into Samsung’s AI phones, there’s a concern: the slop factor.
This is about AI slop. Samsung recently promoted a “seamless Galaxy camera experience” on its latest phones, which includes creating stickers from puppy photos and filling in missing cupcake parts. While these features seem harmless and similar tools already exist, the post hints at edits done via natural language commands. The concerning part is the statement: “Mobile cameras are moving beyond capture.” Let’s unpack that notion.
For years, smartphone cameras have used algorithms to enhance image quality from small sensors. AI features have now entered camera apps, appearing prominently in Google’s latest phones. Features like the Pixel phone’s Add Me merge multiple images into one ideal shot, and the Pixel 10 Pro uses AI to add details at high zoom levels. Such features aim to create representations close to reality but if cameras truly “move beyond capture,” it spells a heightened risk to authentic photography.
One can question a single blog statement, but Samsung’s recent social media ads hint at AI-generated content. These include AI-brightened low-light videos and another showcasing a zoom image revealing a sunglasses-wearing dog in a car, partially using AI editing. There’s more AI at work than surface enhancements.
In a skateboarding video, transitions imply AI-brightened real footage. But why do parts appear entirely AI-generated? Was real footage just a base for AI extension? This is unusual.
What about that dog in sunglasses? The stated “AI-generated background image with edits” leaves questions: What edits? What’s camera-captured or AI-created? Does a dog even exist there? As we move “beyond capture,” this distinction fades.
“Beyond capture” could lead to a peculiar reality: AI not only aids but replaces recording memories, resulting in embellished or entirely AI-fabricated scenes with minimal user input. Industry opinion suggests a future where AI and real content inseparably blend, making the source irrelevant. What if slop originates from your camera and not elsewhere? Is tech taking us too far from camera as a tool for capturing reality?
Samsung might merely be adding natural-language editing to its gallery, not threatening the “what is a photo” concept. There might be cool S26 AI features unrelated to photography, such as a privacy screen hiding notifications based on angle. If so, that’s positive. Otherwise, paths “beyond capture” seem problematic.