Seoul, South Korea — April 4, 2026
Samsung Electronics has begun using its Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone as a live broadcast camera during professional skateboarding events, marking a shift in how mobile devices are being integrated into sports production.
The device was deployed for the first time at the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) DTLA Takeover event on April 4, where it was used to capture live footage from within the course. The approach places smartphones directly into skateboarding features such as rails, ledges and gaps, enabling angles that are typically difficult for conventional broadcast cameras to access.
Samsung is extending this setup across the SLS 2026 season, building on earlier tests of mobile point-of-view (POV) footage introduced at the SLS Sydney stop.
“Mobile innovation is opening new possibilities for how sports are captured and experienced,” said Joshua Cho, Executive Vice President and Head of the Visual Solution Team, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “At Milano Cortina, we demonstrated how Galaxy technology can complement traditional broadcast systems. With Street League Skateboarding, we’re bringing that same approach directly into the course with our newest, most advanced device camera, and using mobile POV to capture skateboarding from entirely new perspectives.”
From smartphone to broadcast tool
The footage captured through Galaxy S26 Ultra is integrated into live production workflows, allowing near real-time replay and alternative viewing angles. Positioned close to the action, the cameras capture movements such as board flips, landings and transitions with greater proximity.
Samsung has previously used its Galaxy devices in large-scale sporting environments, including the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, where smartphones were embedded across the venue in collaboration with Olympic Broadcasting Services.
The move signals a broader effort to position mobile devices as complementary tools in professional broadcasting setups, particularly in environments where mobility and compact form factors provide an advantage.
Expanding role of mobile imaging
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is equipped with features designed for high-motion environments, including enhanced stabilisation and processing capabilities to maintain clarity in low-light and fast-paced conditions. Functions such as Super Steady stabilisation and Instant Slow-Mo are being used to capture and replay key moments during live events.
“Skateboarding is reaching more people than ever before, especially as the sport continues to grow on the global stage,” said Brett Clarke, Chief Revenue Officer at Thrill Sports, the parent company of Street League Skateboarding. “Collaborations like the one we have with Samsung help us evolve how the sport is shared with fans while staying true to the creativity and culture that define skateboarding.”
Samsung plans to continue deploying mobile-based capture systems across upcoming events, including future stops in the SLS Championship Tour.
Market Research Outlook Analysis
The use of smartphones in live sports broadcasting points to a shift toward more flexible, lower-cost production setups that can complement traditional camera systems.
For broadcasters and production companies, this could reshape workflows, particularly in sports where proximity and unconventional angles add value.
Samsung is positioning its flagship devices beyond consumer use, targeting professional content creation and broadcast applications.
The line between mobile imaging and professional broadcast equipment is narrowing, especially as real-time integration becomes more viable.
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Source: Samsung Electronics
