Samsung’s APV codec aims to elevate mobile video to professional standards
Samsung Electronics has introduced the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec to elevate mobile video production to professional standards, aiming for it to become a global open standard. The APV codec supports real-time 8K processing on mobile devices, maintaining high image quality and enabling a comprehensive video production workflow.
The era of mobile filmmaking is here, as the ability to shoot, edit, and share high-quality video with a smartphone becomes increasingly accessible. Users now demand enhanced color accuracy, finer detail, and more flexibility in post-production. In response, Samsung Electronics has developed the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, aiming to establish it as a global open standard.
Understanding APV
While codecs might be unfamiliar to many, they are crucial to the user experience, akin to how packing a suitcase affects its capacity and accessibility. An efficient codec allows users to store more high-quality video and enhances playback and editing capabilities.
Video content generally falls into two categories: casual video, which includes everyday clips, and professional video, which requires cinema-grade editing. Casual codecs focus on compression efficiency, while professional codecs must maintain superior image quality and precise color reproduction. Just as overpacking a suitcase can lead to damage, professional video necessitates a robust codec that preserves every detail.
Conventional compression methods limit the potential for mobile post-production, especially in color grading and visual effects (VFX). APV was crafted to support the entire workflow from capture to final edit, maintaining detail even after multiple recompressions.
Balancing Complexity with Quality
The primary technical challenge was reducing complexity. Traditional professional codecs are computationally intensive, restricting their use to high-end hardware. Samsung aimed for a low-complexity design that mobile processors could handle in real-time without sacrificing quality.
To achieve this, Samsung implemented lightweight entropy coding and frame tiling, which reduces computational load and enables parallel encoding and decoding across multiple cores. Consequently, APV supports real-time processing of up to 8K video on mobile devices, preserving image quality with minimal loss even after numerous edits.
Fostering an Open Ecosystem
Technology’s true value lies in widespread adoption. Samsung has created an open ecosystem to encourage broad usage and advancement of APV. In February 2026, Samsung published APV through the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) as RFC 9924, establishing it as a global standard. The full source code was released on GitHub under “OpenAPV,” inviting global developer participation.
This openness is accelerating ecosystem growth and adoption. APV is supported in Android 16, with tools like FFmpeg and DaVinci Resolve incorporating it.
Global Collaboration
Samsung’s progress stems from global research collaboration. Samsung Research led early development, with contributions from Samsung Research America, Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore, Samsung R&D Institute Poland, and Samsung R&D Institute Japan. A significant milestone was reached in October 2023 at the Samsung Developer Conference. In August 2024, Samsung joined the Academy Software Foundation to further support the open-source video ecosystem.
The Mobile eXperience Business facilitated product integration, optimizing mobile performance. By February 2026, the Galaxy S26 Ultra became the first Android phone equipped with APV.
Enhancing Creative Opportunities
Samsung’s goal is to democratize professional-grade video production through APV. By keeping the technology open, APV is set to shape a more creative future for video content.