The Galaxy S26 series has made its way into the hands of consumers, and as we at Android Central continue to assess these devices, we are pleasantly surprised by the numerous impressive features they offer. While some features like the Privacy Display on the Ultra are well-known, others like screen automation with Gemini are gradually gaining recognition. Yet, one feature that I believe deserves more attention is the enhanced Audio Eraser, which was already remarkable from the start.
At the launch of the Galaxy S26, Samsung revealed that Audio Eraser would now be compatible with third-party apps. This means that users can now utilize it to adjust audio levels while watching a show or browsing through Instagram reels. Personally testing this feature on the Galaxy S26 Plus has led me to consider it as my favorite addition to Samsung’s latest flagship lineup!
The concept of Samsung’s Audio Eraser might ring a bell for those familiar with newer Pixel smartphones, and rightfully so. This functionality was introduced with the Galaxy S25 series and similarly to Pixel phones, certain Samsung devices can analyze videos and segregate audio into distinct categories such as voices, music, noise, and crowd sounds. Following the analysis of a video, users can fine-tune each audio category to achieve their desired effect – whether it’s drowning out background noise in a crowded space to hear a speaker clearly or enhancing background music in a scene while reducing voice clarity.
The outcomes are truly impressive, with phones like the Galaxy S26 even able to apply this feature to videos saved on the device that were not captured using the phone itself. With One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung goes a step further by introducing support for third-party apps. This allows users to adjust audio settings when using popular platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Instagram to enhance speaker clarity while minimizing distractions from background noise or music.
It’s worth noting that during editing, each audio category is highlighted in yellow on the video timeline wherever that specific type of audio is present in the clip, facilitating easy visualization of where adjustments are being made.
While many of Samsung’s Galaxy AI features offer entertainment value such as creating stickers or editing images, Audio Eraser has quickly become an indispensable tool for me. I often encounter difficulties in hearing dialogues clearly while watching TV shows for various reasons. Consequently, I frequently resort to turning on captions for better comprehension – especially when viewing action-packed series like ‘The Expanse,’ featuring scenes with overlapping dialogues and loud crowds.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that Audio Eraser may not be flawless in every scenario, particularly when Voice Focus is activated. While it enhances voices for better clarity, there are instances where this setting might cause voices to become muffled as the AI struggles to adapt. Occasionally, it may even have an adverse effect by making voices less intelligible. Hence, it is advisable to use this feature judiciously.
Nevertheless, I recognize how Audio Eraser could serve as an invaluable accessibility aid for individuals with hearing impairments. Although some adjustments may seem subtle at first glance, they can significantly improve auditory experiences by bridging the gap between hearing something clearly and missing out on crucial details. Despite its drawbacks, Voice Focus can make a noticeable impact when watching videos or listening to music – prompting me to hope that Samsung will extend this functionality to music streaming apps like YouTube Music in the future.
In its current state, Audio Eraser stands out as an essential enhancement within Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite.