What Is the AR Zone App? My Hands-On Take

Hi, I’m Kayla. I use a Samsung Galaxy, and I’ve spent real time with AR Zone. Not just once. I’ve used it for birthdays, errands, and yes, goofy chats. So here’s the simple truth: AR Zone is Samsung’s hub for all the camera tricks that add stuff to your world. Think face stickers, cartoon avatars, 3D doodles, and even quick measuring—if your phone supports it. For a concise primer from another perspective, check out MakeUseOf’s guide to the feature set right here.

For readers who want an even deeper dive with extra screenshots and pro tips, you can check out my extended hands-on review of AR Zone right here.

You know what? It’s fun. But it’s not perfect.

So… what exactly is it?

AR Zone is a built-in app on many Samsung Galaxy phones. (The Wikipedia entry on AR Zone breaks down which models get which tools.) It pulls several AR tools into one place. On my Galaxy S23 Ultra, I open it from the app list. On my older Note10+, I could also get to it from the Camera app under “More.”

What’s inside depends on your phone. Some tools need a depth camera (Samsung calls it a ToF sensor). If your phone doesn’t have that, a few features won’t show up.

Here are the tools I actually use:

AR Emoji Camera: make a little cartoon “you” and record with it.
AR Doodle: draw in 3D space and the lines stick to faces or the scene.
AR Emoji Stickers/Studio: build custom GIFs and stickers from your avatar.
Quick Measure: measure objects using the camera (works best on phones with a depth sensor).
3D Scanner: scan simple objects into rough 3D models (on some older models).

Some phones also link out to Deco Pic for stamps and frames. On my S23 Ultra it’s a separate app now, but AR Zone still points to it.

How I actually use it (real moments)

Birthday chaos, saved: At my niece’s 7th birthday, I used AR Doodle to draw a rainbow crown that stuck to her head while she danced. The lines tracked well indoors with good light. We made a 30-second clip. The kids kept yelling, “Make me a dragon!” It was silly. It worked.
Emoji me in texts: I made an AR Emoji that looked… 70% like me. Close enough. I gave her a denim jacket and short hair. Then AR Zone auto-made a pack of stickers (waving, thumbs up, face-palm). I use those in WhatsApp and Messages. My sister says the “eyeroll” one is “too real.” If you ever want to turn those custom stickers into something a bit more flirtatious, you can explore this step-by-step sexting starter guide for practical tips on crafting safe, consensual, and creative messages. If your flirting ever turns into planning an in-person spa detour near Ventura County, locals can skim the listings at Rubmaps Port Hueneme to browse verified customer reviews, hours of operation, and expected etiquette before deciding where to unwind.
Quick Measure, quick win: On my old Note10+ (which has that depth sensor), I measured our IKEA KALLAX shelf. The app read 77.3 cm. Tape measure said 77 cm. Close enough for me shopping for bins. On my S23 Ultra, Quick Measure doesn’t show, because that phone doesn’t have the depth camera. Small bummer. For a standalone AR measuring option that works on most recent phones, give Loup a spin.
3D Scanner for a class project: I scanned my kid’s plush fox to make a basic 3D model. It wasn’t perfect—soft edges looked mushy—but it worked with steady hands and bright light. He used the model in a simple AR poster for school. He got an A. I got the credit at dinner.
Seasonal fun: On Halloween, we used AR Doodle to draw vampire teeth and floating bats. For New Year’s, we used sparkly text in Deco Pic and sent family countdown videos. Low effort, big smiles.

What I like (and why I keep it)

It’s already there. No downloads, no fuss.
It runs fast on newer Galaxy phones. My S23 Ultra stays smooth and tracks faces well.
The sticker packs are instant. Great for quick laughs.
Measuring is handy when it’s supported. I used it to check if a coffee table would fit. The app said 104 cm; the tag said 100 cm. We knew it was tight and passed.
It plays nice with light. Indoors with even light gives me clean results.

What bugs me (the real talk)

Features jump around. On some phones, tools vanish after updates or move to other apps. That’s confusing.
Not all models get all toys. No depth sensor? No Quick Measure. Simple as that.
Heat and battery. After 10 minutes of AR Doodle, my phone gets warm and the battery dips. Not awful, but it’s there.
3D scans are rough. Great for school or fun, not for pro work.
It can feel… noisy. Too many tabs and tiny icons. My mom got lost in it on her Galaxy A phone.

How to get started (my quick guide)

For AR Emoji:

Open AR Zone.
Tap AR Emoji Camera.
Take a selfie and let it build your avatar.
Tweak hair, clothes, and face.
Use your emoji in photos or grab the auto-made sticker pack.

For AR Doodle:

Open Camera, switch to Video.
Tap the little pen icon (AR Doodle).
Choose “Face” to stick drawings on a person, or “Everywhere” to draw in space.
Record, move slowly, and keep steady light.

For Quick Measure (if you have it):

Open AR Zone > Quick Measure.
Point at the object and let it find edges.
Tap to lock points and read the numbers.
Tip: Matte surfaces and bright light help accuracy.

A tiny tech note (but plain English)

AR Zone uses your phone’s camera and motion sensors to figure out where stuff is. On some models, a special depth camera (ToF sensor) helps measure distance. The better the light and the simpler the scene, the better the tracking. If the app loses track, step back, hold steady, and give it a second.

Is it kid friendly?

Yep, with you nearby. My 8-year-old makes stickers and doodles without trouble. I do set a time limit, since the phone gets warm and the battery drops fast with video.

Who will love it

Parents who make short, fun clips.
Teens who live in sticker world.
Casual shoppers who measure once in a while.
Teachers who want quick AR visuals without fancy gear.

Who might not:

Folks who need pro-grade 3D scans.
People on older or budget phones who hate lag.
Anyone who wants every feature on every model—Samsung plays favorites here.

Small tips that help

Use bright, even light. Lamps are your friend.
Keep surfaces simple. Busy backgrounds confuse tracking.
Move slow while recording. Quick moves cause drift.
Clear old emoji packs now and then to save storage.
Update the app and camera—tracking gets better over time.

Privacy and storage

AR Zone needs the camera, of course. Your emoji and stickers live on your phone. You can delete them in AR Emoji Studio. Also, these assets can add up; my sticker packs and emoji took a couple hundred MB after a few months. Worth it to clean house sometimes.

My verdict

AR Zone turns your Samsung camera into a playground. It’s not a fancy studio. It’s not meant to be. But it made our birthday videos better, helped me skip a bad furniture buy, and gave me a stack of reaction stickers that feel like me. That’s enough.

If you’ve got a recent Galaxy, open AR Zone and try AR Doodle and AR Emoji first. If your phone has the depth sensor, give Quick Measure a go in good light. You might laugh. You might save a trip back to the store. Honestly, both feel pretty good.