This Galaxy S26 feature completely changed how I watch videos

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra debuted with several new features, with the Privacy Display being the headline addition.

Samsung also introduced new One UI 8.5 features, including a Perplexity-powered Bixby, Now Nudge, and Gemini screen automation that lets the assistant take control of apps and handle tasks like ordering food or calling a cab.

However, one feature that flew under the radar at Galaxy Unpacked was the upgraded Audio Eraser on the Galaxy S26.

Samsung has revamped Audio Eraser, and it now works not only with videos shot on your phone but also across supported streaming platforms. It has genuinely changed the way I watch and stream videos.

If you’ve just picked up a new Galaxy S26 and have not tried this feature yet, here’s what Audio Eraser does and how you can use it on your device.

Audio Eraser now works with third-party streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube

It lets you reduce background noise even in third-party streaming apps

With the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung introduced an Audio Eraser feature that could distinguish between different sounds in a video and let users remove unwanted background noise like wind, crowd sounds, or chatter from recorded clips in the Gallery app.

For example, if you recorded a concert and wanted to reduce crowd noise while keeping the main audio from the stage clear, you could lower the background sounds and focus on the speaker.

It essentially worked like the object eraser in Gallery apps, but for audio in videos.

With the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung has expanded this feature beyond the Gallery app. It now works not just with videos recorded on your phone, but also with videos playing across apps, including third-party platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Netflix.

For instance, if you are watching a sports game and want to reduce crowd noise and focus on what the commentator is saying, you can enable Audio Eraser while the video is playing, and most of the background noise will be filtered out.

You can hear voices more clearly, and there’s also a voice focus option that boosts dialogue. It still has a slight AI-processed effect, but the feature is useful, especially for users who have difficulty hearing.

What’s even more impressive is that the feature works in real time directly on the device while the video is playing, which makes it even more practical to use.

How to use Audio Eraser on Galaxy S26 in third-party apps

The toggle is easy to access directly from quick settings during playback

It’s worth noting that the Audio Eraser feature currently works only on the Galaxy S26 series and is limited to select apps. There’s a chance Samsung will expand it to other Galaxy devices with the One UI 8.5 update, but it’s only on the Galaxy S26 series for now.

As for the supported apps, Samsung says it supports YouTube, Instagram, Netflix, Prime Video, and a few others, though there is no complete list yet.

Here’s how you can use it:

1. Open the app where you want to play a video and start playback.
2. Swipe down to open Quick Settings, where you should see the Audio Eraser tile at the top.
   
3. Tap the tile to enable it.
4. You can tap and hold the tile to access detailed controls. Here, you can adjust the level of background noise reduction. At higher levels, vocals become clearer, though there is some AI processing involved.
   
5. Tap Done and continue watching your video with Audio Eraser working in real time.

On the whole, Audio Eraser is a useful feature for Galaxy users who often struggle to isolate voices while watching videos, especially when dealing with heavy accents or noisy environments.

It can be particularly helpful for users with hearing difficulties, but it’s equally useful for anyone who wants to reduce background noise and focus on dialogue.

Audio Eraser on Galaxy S26 is great, but not perfect

With all that said, I just wish Samsung added a mode where you can remove vocals instead of background noise. That would completely change how I watch football on my Galaxy S26 Ultra, letting me hear only the crowd and stadium atmosphere without commentary.

And that is just the start. Audio Eraser is just one part of the new One UI 8.5 features on the Galaxy S26. If you want to get even more out of your Galaxy S26 Ultra, here are a few other settings you should definitely change.

SoC

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

RAM

12GB / 16GB

Storage

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

Battery

5,000mAh

Operating System

Android 16 / OneUI 8.5

Front camera

12MP

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra brings top-tier performance with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and a cutting-edge privacy display that limits off-angle viewing. While battery has remained the same at 5,000 mAh this year, the Galaxy S26 Ultra bundles faster 60W wired charging.