Samsung Electronics is pushing the boundaries of sports broadcasting with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, using the device to capture live footage during a Street League Skateboarding (SLS) competition for the first time. The approach was tested at the SLS DTLA Takeover in Los Angeles on April 4, where smartphones were embedded directly into the skate course.

Placed within rails, ledges and gaps, the devices capture close-up, skater-level footage that traditional broadcast cameras often miss. The content feeds into the live production in near real time, adding new replay angles and a more immersive viewing experience. The rollout follows earlier experiments, including Samsung’s work with Olympic Broadcasting Services during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, where Galaxy devices were used to supplement coverage.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s camera system is designed to handle fast-moving environments, with features such as enhanced stabilisation and slow-motion capture helping maintain clarity during high-speed action. Tools like Super Steady stabilisation and instant slow-motion replay are aimed at giving production teams more flexibility, particularly in tight or unconventional camera positions.

As skateboarding continues to grow globally, SLS and Samsung are positioning mobile devices as part of the broader broadcast toolkit rather than a replacement for traditional cameras. The collaboration points to a shift in how live sports may be filmed in the future, with smartphones increasingly used to capture angles that were previously difficult or impossible to achieve.