This game-changing Galaxy S26 feature just transformed my Netflix binge sessions

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series: The New Audio Eraser Feature That’s Changing the Game

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series is finally here, and while we continue to test these cutting-edge devices at Android Central, we’re already impressed by many of its standout features. Some, like the Privacy Display on the Ultra model, have been widely discussed, while others, such as screen automation with Gemini, are gradually rolling out. However, one feature that seems to have flown under the radar is the upgraded Audio Eraser—a tool that’s already impressive on its own but has now been elevated to a whole new level.

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series, it announced that Audio Eraser would now support third-party apps, allowing users to adjust audio while watching shows or scrolling through Instagram reels. After testing this feature on the Galaxy S26 Plus, I can confidently say it’s quickly becoming my favorite new feature on Samsung’s latest flagships.

Audio Eraser and the One UI 8.5 Update

Samsung’s Audio Eraser may sound familiar to anyone with a newer Pixel smartphone, and for good reason. The feature debuted with the Galaxy S25 series, and like on Pixel devices, some Samsung phones can analyze videos and separate audio into distinct categories, such as voices, music, noise, and crowd sounds. Once a video is analyzed, you can adjust each audio category to achieve the desired effect—whether that’s drowning out crowd noise to hear a speaker more clearly or boosting background music to make voices less prominent.

The results are nothing short of amazing. Even videos not taken on the phone itself, such as those saved to the device, can benefit from this feature.

With One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung has taken Audio Eraser a step further by adding support for third-party apps. Now, apps like YouTube, Netflix, Instagram, and more can leverage this tool to make speakers more audible, effectively reducing background noise or music to enhance clarity.

While the tools aren’t as granular as those found in the Gallery app, the basic functionality works surprisingly well across third-party platforms.

How to Use Audio Eraser in the Gallery App

1. Select a video in your Gallery app.
2. Tap the Galaxy AI sparkle icon and wait for the app to analyze the video.
3. Adjust the audio categories to your liking, or tap the Auto button to let the app make adjustments automatically. You can also tap Hear original at the top to compare the original audio with the adjusted version.
4. Tap Save edits once you’re satisfied.

Note: While editing, each audio category will be highlighted in yellow on the video scrubber wherever that audio type appears, making it easy to visualize where changes are being made.

How to Use Audio Eraser in Third-Party Apps

1. Open an app like YouTube, Netflix, Instagram, or Prime Video and begin playing a video.
2. Swipe down to open the quick settings menu and tap Audio eraser at the top.
3. Toggle Audio eraser on and adjust the strength to reduce background noise in the video.
4. If you’re listening to music and want to boost the main vocals while lowering the volume of the music, adjust the strength to the highest level, then toggle Voice focus on. This feature will be greyed out and unavailable until the strength is turned all the way up.
5. When finished, tap Done.

One of Samsung’s Most Practical AI Features

Many of Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are fun to use, like generating stickers or editing images. However, Audio Eraser has quickly become one of those features I don’t think I can live without. I often struggle to hear things properly when watching TV shows, so I frequently turn on captions to fully understand the dialogue. For example, while watching “The Expanse,” which features a lot of action and moments where characters are speaking over crowds, Audio Eraser has been a game-changer.

In one instance, I found it quite difficult to hear Colm McGuinness’s voice clearly in his fantastic rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Nancy Mulligan.” When I turned on Audio Eraser, his words became much clearer and easier to understand (though my final hurdle was his strong Irish accent).

That said, Audio Eraser isn’t perfect, especially when Voice Focus is enabled. While it gives voices a nice boost and makes them much easier to hear, sometimes the voices can get muddied as the AI tries to keep up. Occasionally, it can even have the opposite effect, making voices harder to understand. Thus, this particular feature may be best used sparingly.

Still, I can see how this feature could also be a great accessibility tool, helpful for people who are hard of hearing. Some of the changes may seem subtle, but they can make a significant difference between hearing something clearly and not. And even though Voice Focus has its faults, it makes a dramatic difference when watching videos or listening to music. I hope Samsung expands this to music apps like YouTube Music in the future.

For now, Audio Eraser has become a truly invaluable upgrade for Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite.

Tags: Samsung Galaxy S26, Audio Eraser, One UI 8.5, Galaxy AI, accessibility, voice focus, third-party apps, YouTube, Netflix, Instagram, Prime Video, video editing, audio enhancement, tech innovation, smartphone features.

Viral Phrases: Game-changing audio tool, must-have feature, accessibility breakthrough, crystal-clear sound, AI-powered audio magic, next-level smartphone tech, underrated gem, life-changing upgrade, tech revolution, hidden gem, audio clarity redefined, Samsung’s secret weapon, the future of sound, AI for everyone, smarter audio, audio made simple, hear the difference, sound reinvented, tech that listens, innovation in your pocket.

,