Samsung is celebrating one year of its “Coral in Focus” initiative — a global marine ecosystem restoration project that fuses Galaxy smartphone technology with environmental science.
In efforts to ensure seamless studies without wasting precious time, the smartphone Galaxy S24 Ultra's camera plays an interesting role here. Here's how it all started behind the big idea.
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Jodee Tan chevron_right
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Samsung's Eco Programme: To Restore Corals
First introduced at Galaxy Unpacked in January 2025, via custom features on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung's Eco programme has helped scientists capture underwater 3D models, restore over 10,000 square metres of reef, and plant 11,000 coral fragments across Fiji, Indonesia, and the U.S.
Coral reefs are pivotal in our ecosystem as they aid in cooling the earth's sea surface as well as provide a habitual area for its sea habitants. They also ultimately prevent impact from waves and directly prevent floods.
As one of the biggest global tech industry player, Samsung took the unique opportunity to spearhead this initiative, serving as a clear case of tech meeting purpose.
Galaxy S24 Ultra Goes Underwater (For Real) With Ocean Mode
To ensure accurate results, Samsung developed a dedicated Ocean Mode camera feature just for this initiative.
Ocean Mode is tailored for use underwater, as colours can be quite dim due to light being unable to fully break through and travel under the water surface. Therefore, the Ocean mode has been made to optimise White balance (eliminating the "all blue" look), Shutter speed for motion clarity, and Dynamic range for reef visibility.
The results are fortunately well in the Earth's and Samsung’s favour, especially this being Samsung's most ambitious eco-driven initiative yet. Scientists can now capture 3D photogrammetry models of coral reefs more accurately than ever.
Coral Impact in Numbers (April 2024–April 2025)
Samsung shares positive number below since the initiative, inching closer to restoration of Earth's nature:
- 17 reefs scanned and digitised into 3D models
- 11,046 coral fragments planted
- 10,705 square metres of reef restored
- Partnerships across Fiji, Indonesia, and California
- 1 year = progress equal to 25 basketball courts of reef regeneration
Recycled Materials & Galaxy Sustainability Goals
Aside from the initiative, Samsung had previously pledged to include recycled fishing nets in Galaxy products since the S22 series. This is still a continous annual effort as Samsung takes responsibility to reduce the carbon footprint it leaves behind from manufacturing production.
The Coral in Focus project is part of Samsung’s Galaxy for the Planet roadmap to:
- Use more ocean-bound plastics
- Expand sustainable packaging
- Reduce carbon emissions and e-waste across the product lifecycle
This is a virtuous opportunity not just for Samsung but also for countries like Malaysia known for its island destinations that houses thousands of surface areas covered with coral reefs — especially in Sabah & Terengganu — which are currently facing bleaching and destruction threats.
With global tech brands like Samsung investing in marine conservation, this initiative opens up possibilities of Regional partnership opportunities and new environmental CSR initiatives with local universities or dive centres.
Even if one doesn't holiday at sea sides, Galaxy users in Malaysia can also support this initiative by default — especially when using devices like the S24 Ultra or future Galaxy models that use recycled marine plastics.
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