Samsung’s commitment to environmental sustainability might not be widely known, but the company has been actively involved in marine ecosystem restoration. Their latest initiative leverages the 2024 Galaxy S24 Ultra’s technology to aid coral reef revitalization efforts.
Researchers using the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's Ocean Mode to capture images of coral reefs.
Samsung has introduced a dedicated Ocean Mode for the S24 Ultra, designed specifically for coral reef restoration activists and researchers. This mode facilitates effective mapping of damaged reef areas, a critical process for organizations like UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which utilizes photogrammetry to analyze coral health and growth.
Overcoming Underwater Photography Challenges
Underwater reef photography presents unique challenges. Motion blur, caused by the movement of divers, often compromises image quality. Furthermore, water absorbs warm colors (red, orange), distorting images and making them appear darker and bluer than in reality. These factors can significantly impact data accuracy.
Close-up image of a coral reef taken with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's Ocean Mode.
Samsung’s Ocean Mode addresses these challenges with advanced technology. It optimizes the S24 Ultra’s native camera for efficient, high-quality underwater image capture. By reducing motion blur and optimizing white balance, the mode ensures accurate photos for researchers, ultimately improving coral restoration analysis. According to ZDNet Korea, Ocean Mode automatically captures photos every two seconds, minimizing blue tones and motion blur through multi-frame processing and shutter speed adjustments.
Expanding the “Coral in Focus” Initiative
Examples of coral reef images captured using the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's Ocean Mode.
As part of its “Coral in Focus” initiative, Samsung has been providing smartphones for underwater use, eliminating the need for expensive underwater cameras. This initiative partners with non-profits like Seatrees, Scripps, and local communities. While the S25 Ultra is Samsung’s current flagship, repurposing the S24 Ultra with this specialized app is a resourceful approach.
The “Coral in Focus” initiative has already helped restore over 11,000 coral reefs across 4,500 square miles. This builds on Samsung’s previous efforts, such as incorporating recycled fishing nets – a major source of marine ecosystem damage – into Galaxy devices since the S22 series.
The Importance of Coral Reefs and Samsung’s Contribution
Coral reefs, often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea,” are vital to marine biodiversity. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that 25% of marine life depends on coral reefs, despite these reefs covering only 1% of the ocean floor.
Samsung’s commitment goes beyond simply using recycled materials. Repurposing older phones for environmental benefit sets a positive example. It remains to be seen whether Ocean Mode will be extended to other devices or become available for consumer models.
