Samsung has announced (link) that its SmartThings ecosystem now supports Matter 1.6 . The update is also intended to improve stability and group control while expanding local control of connected devices. Another new feature is SmartThings Now, a context-aware information and control interface in the SmartThings app.
Matter 1.6 Adds Four Device Types
With the latest Matter version, SmartThings supports four additional device types: energy meters for real-time power monitoring, closures for specialized doors and gates, irrigation devices such as lawn sprinkler systems, and soil sensors for measuring ground conditions.
This also paves the way for integrating sensors designed for gardens. At IFA 2026, ThirdReality introduced what is, to the best of current knowledge, the first Matter-compatible soil moisture sensor using Thread. Its market launch is planned for early 2027.
Improved Local Control
Another new feature concerns communication between the app and a SmartThings hub. When both are connected to the same local Wi-Fi network, the app can now send commands directly to the hub instead of routing them through a cloud server. According to Samsung, this is expected to improve response times by around 30 percent compared with the previous cloud-based control method. This figure comes from tests under controlled conditions; actual performance also depends on the environment in which the system is used.
Local control is available on Android and iOS devices with the SmartThings app installed. It works with SmartThings Station, the V2, V3, and V4 Hubs, as well as Samsung Smart TVs and Family Hub appliances with built-in hub functionality. The app automatically switches between local control and cloud-based remote access depending on whether the mobile device is at home or away. Local communication can help when the internet connection is disrupted, but it still requires a functioning local network and reachable devices.
The official SmartThings Hub Firmware 0.62.7 release notes document the relevant hub updates (link). Samsung began rolling out this version in September 2026, including the Aeotec Smart Home Hub. The release notes explicitly mention direct communication between the app and hub over the local network, even when the hub is reported as offline. Support for switching to a different Thread network has also been expanded.
SmartThings Now: Suggestions in the App
With SmartThings Now, the manufacturer’s smart home app also gains a new home screen. Customizable tiles at the top of the Home tab display context-sensitive information. Their purpose is to surface relevant features without requiring users to search through menus.
The suggestions build on system features such as Family Care. If a person being monitored has shown no activity for an extended period, SmartThings can automatically display an alert card that enables a direct phone call. When a user approaches a configured home location, the app proactively suggests turning on the lights and air purifier. It can also prompt the user to save the action as a routine so that it can be executed automatically in the future.
SmartThings Now is also designed to analyze usage and propose changes to favorites. For example, the app may recommend removing an air conditioner used only in summer from the favorites list and replacing it with a device used more frequently. Another card lets users review routines and delete automations they no longer need.
According to Samsung, the redesigned interface – including SmartThings Now – is intended for supported mobile devices, Samsung Smart TVs, Family Hub refrigerators, Samsung home appliances with 7- or 9-inch displays, and Windows devices.
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