Samsung has quietly unveiled a brand-new companion app for its latest smartphones, and it’s designed to make managing photos and videos far easier than before. 
The app, called Gallery Assistant, has been released in beta alongside the rollout of the stable One UI 8 firmware. While still in testing, it hints at a major step forward for Samsung’s default photo and video editing ecosystem.
At its core, Gallery Assistant introduces a much-requested feature: batch editing. This means users no longer have to tediously edit each image or video file one by one. Instead, they can apply adjustments – such as brightness, contrast, filters, or cropping – across multiple media items at once. For creators, professionals, and even casual users with huge libraries of media, this is a serious time-saver. It also places Samsung’s native tools closer to parity with third-party apps that have offered similar features for years.
Currently, the app is restricted to devices running One UI 8, with compatibility confirmed for the Galaxy S25 lineup, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and the Z Flip 7. These are Samsung’s flagship devices for 2025, and it’s no surprise that the company is prioritizing them for testing. What remains uncertain is whether Samsung will broaden support once One UI 8 is rolled out more widely across eligible Galaxy models. Historically, Samsung has expanded such features to older flagships after testing phases, but there’s no guarantee just yet.
Beyond batch editing, Gallery Assistant also includes new utility functions aimed at simplifying repetitive editing tasks. For instance, quick actions may help users auto-adjust settings based on AI recommendations, or allow them to copy edits from one file and instantly paste them onto dozens of others. Samsung has not detailed every function yet, but the beta release makes it clear the company is experimenting with ways to reduce the friction in everyday editing workflows.
The beta is currently only open in South Korea, Samsung’s home market, where sign-ups are live through the Samsung Members app. Interested users can navigate to the “App Beta” section and enroll as testers. The company is expected to collect feedback, polish the experience, and eventually launch a stable version globally. If past rollouts are anything to go by, a wider release could coincide with One UI 8 updates on older devices later this year.
For now, Gallery Assistant is an intriguing peek at Samsung’s strategy: reducing reliance on third-party editors and building a more powerful, all-in-one solution inside its ecosystem. While we’ll need to wait to see how much functionality makes it into the final release, the beta suggests that Samsung wants its Gallery app to become not just a media viewer, but a professional-grade editing hub tailored for everyday users.