Matter 1.5 Is Here - Cameras, Energy and the Smart Home We Were Promised
Matter 1.5 finally brings camera support, real-time energy management, and unified closure control to smart homes. Here's what it means for your setup.
Matter 1.5 Is Here - Cameras, Energy and the Smart Home We Were Promised
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) released Matter 1.5 in November 2025, and it's the most significant update the standard has seen. The headline feature? Native camera support. But dig deeper, and the energy management and closure control additions might be even more impactful for day-to-day smart home life.
> Important note: The features described below are part of the Matter 1.5 specification. Actual device availability depends on manufacturers and will roll out throughout 2026.
What's New in Matter 1.5?
| Feature | Status | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cameras | New device type | Unified camera control across all platforms |
| Energy Management | Major expansion | Real-time tariff data, CO₂ intensity tracking |
| Closures | Redesigned | Modular control for blinds, gates, garage doors |
| Soil Sensors | New device type | Smart irrigation based on actual soil moisture |
Cameras - The Missing Piece
Before Matter 1.5, cameras were the biggest gap in the ecosystem. Every manufacturer ran their own cloud service, their own app, their own protocols. Three camera brands meant three separate apps on your phone.
That era is ending.Matter 1.5 uses WebRTC-based video streaming, which delivers:
Energy Management - Smart Tariff Handling
This is where Matter 1.5 gets genuinely exciting for anyone with solar panels or a home battery. The new Electrical Energy Tariff device type creates a standardised channel between your utility company and your smart devices.
| Capability | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Real-time pricing | Utilities push live tariff data directly to your devices |
| CO₂ intensity | Devices can optimise based on grid carbon intensity |
| Forecasting | Upcoming tariff schedules shared ahead of time |
| Auto-scheduling | Devices shift consumption to cheapest or greenest periods |
Closures - Blinds, Gates and Garage Doors
Matter 1.5 introduces a modular cluster architecture for closure devices. One standard now covers:
Previously, every manufacturer - Somfy, IKEA, Aqara - used proprietary protocols. Matter 1.5 brings them all under one roof.
Soil Sensors - The Smart Garden Begins
An unexpected but welcome addition: soil sensors that measure moisture and temperature. Combined with Matter-compatible water valves, you get fully automated irrigation that waters when plants actually need it - not on a timer.
Should You Wait for Matter 1.5?
| Situation | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Building a new smart home | Choose Matter-compatible devices wherever possible |
| Expanding existing setup | Wait for Matter 1.5 certified devices (H1-H2 2026) |
| Have solar panels | The energy management features alone are worth it |
| Multi-brand household | Matter finally solves the interoperability problem |
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