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10 Tech How-To

Slow Motion Videos on Samsung Galaxy Note

Guide 10-16449 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to record and edit slow-motion videos on your Samsung Galaxy Note. You’ll learn to use the built-in camera modes, adjust the playback speed, and export the final clip—no extra apps needed.

What You’ll Need

  • A Samsung Galaxy Note (any model from Note 8 onward; older models may have fewer options)
  • Enough free storage space (a 10-second slow-mo clip can take up to 100 MB)
  • Good lighting—slow motion amplifies blur, so brighter is better

Step-by-Step

  1. Open the Camera app on your Galaxy Note. Tap the camera icon from the lock screen or home screen.
  2. Switch to Slow Motion mode. Swipe left or right on the shooting modes at the bottom of the viewfinder until you see “Slow motion.” On some models, tap “More” to find it.
  3. Adjust the frame rate (if available). Tap the settings gear in the top-left corner. Look for “Slow motion speed” or “Frame rate.” Choose 240 fps (frames per second) for the smoothest slow-mo, or 120 fps for a less dramatic effect. Note that 240 fps may be limited to 720p resolution on some models.
  4. Record your video. Press the red record button. Keep the phone steady—use both hands or a tripod. Record for at least 3–4 seconds of action; the camera will automatically detect motion and slow it down, but you can adjust this later.
  5. Stop recording by tapping the red button again. The video is saved to your Gallery.
  6. Open the video in Gallery. Find the clip (it may have a “Slow motion” badge) and tap it to play.
  7. Edit the slow-motion effect. While the video is playing, tap the pencil icon or “Edit” at the bottom. Then tap “Slow motion” or the speed icon (often a rabbit/turtle). A timeline will appear with a section highlighted in blue—this is the part that will be slowed down.
  8. Adjust the slow-motion section. Drag the blue handles to select the exact portion you want to slow down. You can also tap “Speed” to choose 1/2, 1/4, or 1/8 speed. On some models, you can set the speed by dragging the speed slider.
  9. Preview your edit. Tap the play button to see the result. If the transition feels abrupt, you can adjust the handles to include a few frames before and after the action.
  10. Save the edited video. Tap “Save” or the checkmark. Choose “Save as copy” to keep the original unchanged. The edited version will be saved in your Gallery.
  11. Export or share. From the Gallery, tap the Share icon to send it via messaging, social media, or save it to your device.

Common Mistakes

  • Recording in normal mode. If you don’t switch to Slow Motion mode before recording, you can’t convert the clip to slow-mo later (you can only edit speed in the built-in editor, but the frame rate won’t be high enough for smooth slow-mo).
  • Too much movement. Panning the camera while recording slow-mo can cause shaky, blurry footage. Keep the camera still and let the subject move.
  • Low lighting. Slow motion requires a fast shutter speed, which lets in less light. In dim conditions, the video will look dark and grainy.
  • Not adjusting the slow-motion section. The camera’s auto-detection may highlight the wrong part. Always manually adjust the blue handles after recording.
  • Forgetting to save a copy. If you edit and save over the original, you lose the raw footage. Always choose “Save as copy” if you want to keep both.

Tips

  • Use a tripod or stabilizer. Even slight shakes become very noticeable in slow motion.
  • Record at 240 fps if your model supports it. This gives you 8x slow-motion (playback at 30 fps). 120 fps gives 4x slow-mo.
  • Keep the subject in focus. Tap the screen to focus on the moving subject before recording.
  • Shoot in well-lit environments. Outdoor daylight is ideal. Avoid direct sunlight on the lens, though—use a lens hood or your hand to shade it.
  • Experiment with different speeds. Not every action needs 8x slow-mo. A 4x speed often looks more natural for things like walking or water splashes.
  • Use the “Super Slow-mo” mode on newer Notes (Note 9 and later). This records at 960 fps for 0.4 seconds, capturing ultra-fast moments. It’s great for popping balloons or breaking glass, but requires very bright light.

Troubleshooting

  • Slow-motion option is grayed out. This usually means your phone doesn’t support slow-mo in the current resolution. Go to Settings in the camera and lower the resolution (e.g., from UHD to FHD) to enable it.
  • Video looks choppy or not smooth. Check the frame rate—if you recorded at 120 fps and play back at 60 fps, it will be less smooth. Also, ensure the playback device supports the frame rate. If you edited on the phone, try exporting at the original frame rate.
  • Can’t find the slow-motion edit option. On some models, you need to tap the video and then tap the “Speed” icon (a rabbit/turtle) at the top of the player—not the pencil icon. If you don’t see it, update your Gallery app via the Galaxy Store.
  • Video is too dark. Slow motion needs light. If you can’t reshoot, try increasing the exposure by tapping the screen and dragging the sun icon up before recording. In the editor, you can also add a brightness filter (but this may reduce quality).
  • The slow-motion effect doesn’t apply to the whole clip. The blue handles only cover the selected section. Drag them to cover the entire timeline if you want the whole video slowed down.
  • File won’t share. Large slow-mo files may exceed messaging limits. Try compressing the video (share via a link or use a file transfer app) or trim it shorter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make a slow-motion video from a normal video I already recorded?
A: Yes, but the quality won’t be as good. You can use the built-in editor to reduce the playback speed, but the video will have the original frame rate (e.g., 30 fps), so it may look choppy. For best results, record in Slow Motion mode from the start.

Q: What’s the difference between 120 fps and 240 fps?
A: Frames per second (fps) refers to how many frames are captured per second. Playback is usually at 30 fps, so 120 fps gives 4x slow-motion, and 240 fps gives 8x. Higher fps means smoother slow-mo but larger file sizes and lower resolution (often 720p at 240 fps).

Q: How do I set the slow-motion speed to 1/8?
A: In the editor, tap the speed icon and choose 1/8. If you don’t see it, your phone may not support 8x slow-mo—check the camera settings for the frame rate. 240 fps is required for 8x.

Q: Why does my slow-motion video have no sound?
A: Slow-motion videos often have audio removed or pitched down because the audio would sound distorted at slow speed. On Samsung phones, sound is usually not recorded in slow-mo mode (or it’s muted). If you need sound, record in normal mode and edit later, but the slow-mo won’t be as smooth.

Q: Can I slow down only part of a video?
A: Yes, in the editor, drag the blue handles to select only the portion you want to slow down. The rest of the video will play at normal speed.

Q: Will slow-motion recording use more battery?
A: Yes, it uses more processing power and storage, so expect faster battery drain. Close other apps and keep your phone charged if you plan to record long clips.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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