Samsung’s ocean mode and coral reef initiative earn international accolades
Samsung’s ‘Coral in Focus’ initiative, powered by the Ocean Mode feature on Galaxy phones, has received international awards for its contribution to coral reef conservation. The initiative collaborates with Seatrees and Scripps Institution of Oceanography to restore coral reefs globally.
Samsung Electronics has announced that its ‘Coral in Focus’ initiative, which is facilitated by the Ocean Mode feature on its latest Galaxy mobile phones, has garnered several prestigious awards. Among these, the initiative won Gold in the ‘Best Sustainability or Conservation Initiative’ category at the 2026 Halo Awards hosted by Engage for Good.
Furthermore, the documentary associated with the initiative, also titled ‘Coral in Focus,’ received the Coastal and Island Culture Award at the 23rd International Ocean Film Festival. In addition, Samsung has been recognized on Fast Company’s 2026 Most Innovative Companies list for its advancements in mobile technology that support environmental research.
These accolades highlight the significant impact of Samsung’s collaborative efforts to combat the decline of coral reefs. In partnership with the U.S.-based nonprofit Seatrees and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, Samsung is leveraging the imaging capabilities of Galaxy smartphones to aid in ocean conservation.
Coral reefs, despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor, are vital ecosystems supporting about 25% of marine life and millions of livelihoods globally. However, they face threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing, which could lead to their disappearance by 2050 without intervention.
To combat this, Samsung, Seatrees, and Scripps have launched coral reef restoration projects in locations such as Costa Rica, Fiji, the Galápagos Islands, Indonesia, and the United States. The ‘Samsung x Seatrees: Bring Coral in Focus’ initiative equips partners and local communities with Galaxy devices featuring Ocean Mode and underwater housings to capture high-quality underwater images. These images are used to create detailed 3D photogrammetric models, enhancing coral reef monitoring and evaluation.
Since the initiative’s inception, over 20,000 coral fragments have been planted, and more than 80 3D reef models have been developed to aid in research and monitoring. Ocean Mode is now available through the Expert RAW app, expanding its accessibility to more Galaxy users and reducing the reliance on expensive DSLR equipment for underwater imaging.
These achievements are part of Samsung’s broader sustainability commitments under its ‘Our Journey: Galaxy for the Planet’ initiative. As of April 2026, Ocean Mode is supported on the Galaxy S26 Series and is set to expand to other models, including the S25 Series, S24 Series, and various Fold and Flip models throughout the year.