Google ARCore Compatibility For Samsung Galaxy Devices Confirmed

News out of the Samsung Developer Conference indicates that the Samsung will collaborate with Google to bring the ARCore platform to Galaxy smartphones, including the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8. Pundits have already praised this move as a positive, as opposed to Samsung trying to develop a proprietary augmented reality platform.

The Galaxy S8 will be the first device to feature ARCore, outside of the Google Pixel smartphones. Consumers can also expect future Galaxy smartphones, possibly those, such as the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 to feature ARCore natively. Devices need to at least run Android 7.0 Nougat for ARCore compatibility.

Much like Apple’s ARKit, ARCore allows users to build AR apps and features in real time from mobile handsets. Google showcased ARCore at its I/O conference in May, but the software has not seen much prime time since then. It is opportune that Google and Samsung announce their partnership now, not long after the release of the iPhone 8 and iOS 11, which brought ARKit to older iPhone models. The soon-to-be-released iPhone X will also feature ARKit.

There is no word on when ARCore will be compatible with other Android smartphones in the future. However, Google has indicated it is working with other manufacturers, including Huawei, LG, and ASUS.