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Aqara G350 Launches as First Matter-Compatible Camera, Demonstrating Early Integration Challenges

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Aqara G350 Smart Home Camera: A Pioneer in Matter Connectivity

Aqara has officially launched the Camera Hub G350, an advanced pan-and-tilt indoor security camera capable of up to 4K video resolution. This device marks a significant milestone, as it is the first camera confirmed to support the Matter smart home standard, a protocol that introduced camera capabilities last year.

Currently, the G350's Matter functionality is exclusively limited to Samsung SmartThings. Other smart home platforms have yet to adopt Matter 1.5, which is necessary for broader camera support.

Initial setup for Matter connectivity proved to be complex, requiring multiple firmware updates. As of now, the camera's primary Matter function on SmartThings is live video streaming, with further features expected through future software enhancements.

Advanced Specifications and Broad Connectivity

The Aqara G350 boasts impressive imaging capabilities with dual lenses: a 4K wide-angle lens and a 2.5K telephoto lens, enabling up to 9x hybrid zoom. Its compact pan-tilt mechanism ensures comprehensive 360-degree coverage, complemented by auto-tracking features for both people and pets. For enhanced privacy, a physical lens shutter automatically activates when the camera is powered off.

Beyond its pioneering Matter support, the G350 offers extensive compatibility. It integrates seamlessly with Apple's HomeKit Secure Video and can connect with Amazon Alexa and Google Home through cloud services.

For storage flexibility, users have multiple options:

  • Local storage on a microSD card.
  • RTSP support for streaming video to platforms like Home Assistant and Network Video Recorders (NVRs).
  • Aqara's own end-to-end encrypted cloud storage service.

The G350 is more than just a camera; it also serves as a versatile smart home hub. It functions as a hub for Aqara's Zigbee devices and acts as a Matter controller, bridge, and Thread Border Router.

Navigating the Initial Matter Integration Experience

The initial attempt to onboard the Aqara G350 directly to SmartThings using the Matter code encountered issues, registering the device as a hub rather than a camera. Successful integration was achieved by first adding the camera to the Aqara app. Within the Aqara app, crucial firmware updates, including Matter 1.5 support, became available. Afterward, the camera was successfully added to SmartThings as a camera using Matter’s multi-admin feature, necessitating a SmartThings Matter Controller.

While the camera performed as expected within the native Aqara app, the Matter experience via SmartThings presented notable limitations.

On the SmartThings app for iOS (tested on iPhone 17 Pro):

  • Live stream viewing, snapshots, and two-way talk were functional.
  • Pan, tilt, zoom controls, and video history tabs were visible but non-functional, indicating they await future firmware updates for full Matter support.
  • Settings for motion-activated recording, resolution, and volume were present; however, only volume and resolution adjustments worked.
  • Recorded video did not appear in the SmartThings History tab.

A significant discrepancy was observed between the SmartThings apps on different operating systems: the Android version (tested on Galaxy S22 Ultra) displayed only the livestream and a blank settings screen, whereas the iOS version presented a more comprehensive set of controls and settings pages.

The Future Landscape for Matter Cameras

At present, SmartThings stands as the exclusive platform offering support for Matter cameras. Apple is anticipated to implement support in the future, and Home Assistant has publicly stated its efforts to integrate Matter camera functionality.

Conversely, Google Home and Amazon Alexa have not yet committed to supporting Matter cameras, opting instead to maintain and develop their own proprietary camera ecosystems. This divergence suggests that achieving comprehensive, single-app management of security cameras across various brands via Matter will likely require a longer timeline for widespread industry adoption.

Despite the current limitations and ongoing development, the G350's Matter integration showcases immense potential. It points towards a future of more integrated, brand-agnostic, and secure smart home camera management—a model reminiscent of Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video but with the promise of broader interoperability. The Aqara G350 is clearly an initial, foundational step in Matter camera technology, with many features still actively under development.