Matter 1.5 Finally Puts Cameras In Focus

The smart home world has been waiting for this moment. For a few years, cameras have been the awkward outliers in an otherwise increasingly unified ecosystem. Lights, sensors, plugs, switches — all comfortably handled through Matter. Cameras, though? Delayed by their incredibly large and complex data requirements.

With the release of Matter 1.5, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has officially added camera support to the specification. This opens the door for brands to POTENTIALLY update existing devices, build new lines with interoperability in mind, and ultimately give customers a far more seamless smart home experience.

And crucially, this isn’t just “support in theory”. The spec includes the foundations manufacturers actually need, and will mean the ability to view live video and use two-way audio, among many other things.

Why Camera Support Matters So Much

Up to now, local camera feeds have typically been rare and tied tightly to their brand’s own app. Apple Home users were often able to get solid compatibility but limited to a select handful of HomeKit-native devices. Everyone ended up juggling multiple apps and half-integrated features.

Matter 1.5 is designed to break that cycle.

Camera makers can now build (or update) devices to work across Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and any controller supporting the standard. Instead of maintaining different integrations for different platforms, brands can implement one specification and reach everyone. Crucially, for you, that means better compatibility, more choice, and less apps.

For manufacturers, that could mean less long-term maintenance and fewer support headaches. For customers, it means you’re finally free to pick devices based on quality, not based on what works with your chosen ecosystem.

Why Brands Should Act Now: Firmware Updates Are the Hidden Opportunity

One of the most important parts of Matter 1.5 is that many existing cameras may be upgradeable via firmware, assuming the hardware has the memory, processing power and network stack to handle the specification.

For brands, this unlocks several advantages:

1. Re-energise existing product lines

A device launched two years ago can suddenly become more prominent. Firmware updates can extend its lifecycle.

2. Competitive advantage

Consumers increasingly look for “Matter compatible” badges. Early adopters in the camera category will stand out immediately.

3. Simplified development

Instead of juggling multiple proprietary integrations, development teams can focus on a single, unified interface.

4. Consumer trust

Matter support signals openness, longevity and platform freedom. That’s a powerful message compared to the closed ecosystems users have been stuck with.

5. Consistency across product ranges

Brands already supporting Matter for sensors, lights or hubs can finally bring their cameras into the same unified experience.

What Needs to Happen Next

For firmware and product teams, the path forward is fairly clear:

• Audit existing hardware to identify which models can realistically support Matter 1.5.

• Plan OTA firmware updates for eligible models.

• Prepare these devices for certification.

• Ensure good user-experience design, so discovery, streaming and controls feel natural within your chosen app.

• Communicate clearly to customers what’s coming and which models will be supported.

This is where a standard that already benefits you evolves in a way that genuinely changes the game in perhaps the biggest way since Matter was announced.

Closing Thoughts

Camera support has always been the missing link in the Matter ecosystem. With version 1.5, that gap is finally being filled — and brands that act quickly will set themselves apart as leaders. We can foresee a few brands in particular, scrambling to support this. Can you? Interoperability is no longer a dream for smart-home cameras; it’s now an achievable, certifiable reality.

This post contains a mix of facts and opinions. If you need or are interested in more information please contact us.