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Xthings Ulticam: Floodlight Cam & Wi-Fi HaLow Security Cam at CES 2026
At Magisk Modules, we pride ourselves on delivering the most up-to-date and comprehensive technical analysis for our community. The 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has ushered in a new era for home security, and the standout revelations came from Xthings, a dominant force in the AIoT and integrated security landscape. We have meticulously analyzed the announcements surrounding the Ulticam Intelligent Vision ecosystem, specifically focusing on the highly anticipated Ulticam IQ Floodlight and the revolutionary Ulticam HaLow. This article provides an exhaustive deep dive into these devices, exploring the technical specifications, connectivity advantages, and ecosystem integrations that set a new benchmark for residential and commercial surveillance.
The Evolution of the Ulticam Ecosystem at CES 2026
The CES 2026 floor was dominated by iterations of existing technology, but Xthings chose to disrupt the status quo rather than merely refine it. The core of their presentation centered on the Ulticam Intelligent Vision ecosystem, a platform designed to unify disparate security devices under a single, AI-driven command center. We observed that Xthings is moving beyond simple video capture; they are engineering a proactive security mesh.
Introducing the Ulticam IQ V2
Before delving into the new hardware, we must acknowledge the foundation: the Ulticam IQ V2. This base unit serves as the brain of the operation. It is not merely a camera but a high-performance edge computing device. At CES, Xthings demonstrated the V2’s enhanced neural processing unit (NPU), capable of running complex object recognition algorithms locally. This reduces latency and ensures privacy by processing sensitive data on the device rather than in the cloud. The V2 establishes the standard for video fidelity, boasting 4K resolution with HDR capabilities, ensuring clear imaging even in the most challenging lighting conditions.
Expanding the Perimeter: The New Additions
The true excitement at the Xthings booth lay in the expansion of the lineup. The Ulticam IQ Floodlight and the Ulticam HaLow are not standalone gadgets; they are designed to communicate seamlessly with the V2 and the broader ecosystem. Xthings has addressed two of the most persistent pain points in modern security setups: inadequate illumination in remote areas and the struggle to maintain reliable connectivity in expansive outdoor environments. By tackling these issues with specialized hardware, Xthings is offering a modular solution that scales to the user’s specific needs.
Ulticam IQ Floodlight: Illumination Meets Intelligent Vision
Security cameras often fail at night, not due to sensor limitations, but because of insufficient lighting. The Ulticam IQ Floodlight is Xthings’ answer to this challenge, merging high-lumen illumination with high-definition surveillance in a single, robust unit.
Advanced Lighting Technology
We analyzed the specifications of the floodlight module, and the output is substantial. Xthings has integrated high-efficiency LED arrays capable of delivering up to 3,000 lumens of brightness. However, the “IQ” in the name refers to the intelligence behind the illumination. Unlike traditional floodlights that operate on simple motion sensors or timers, the Ulticam IQ Floodlight utilizes the same AI recognition algorithms found in the base camera.
The floodlight can distinguish between a stray animal, a passing vehicle, and a human intruder. Based on the classification, it can modulate brightness levels. For example, a recognized family member arriving home might trigger a soft, welcoming glow, while an unidentified figure approaching the perimeter triggers a high-intensity spotlight to deter potential threats. This adaptive lighting capability is a significant step forward in energy efficiency and user experience.
Seamless Camera Integration
The hardware design of the Ulticam IQ Floodlight suggests a tightly integrated camera module. While the exact sensor details are proprietary, the demonstrations at CES 2026 showed that the floodlight provides the ideal canvas for the camera’s low-light sensors. By placing the light source in the same housing as the lens, Xthings eliminates the shadows often cast by separate lighting and camera installations. This unified approach ensures that the recorded footage is well-lit, color-accurate, and devoid of the noise typical of high-gain night vision modes.
Furthermore, the floodlight acts as a repeater for the ecosystem. If the primary Ulticam IQ V2 has a weak signal due to distance, the floodlight can bridge the connection, strengthening the network mesh. This ensures that even the most remote corners of a property are not only illuminated but also securely connected to the central hub.
Ulticam HaLow: Revolutionizing Long-Range Connectivity
The most technically significant announcement from Xthings at CES 2026 is undoubtedly the Ulticam HaLow. While Wi-Fi 6 and 7 have improved bandwidth, they struggle with range and wall penetration, particularly in large properties or outdoor environments. The Ulticam HaLow addresses this by leveraging IEEE 802.11ah (Wi-Fi HaLow) technology.
Understanding Wi-Fi HaLow Technology
We have long tracked the development of Wi-Fi HaLow, and its application in the Ulticam ecosystem is a game-changer. Unlike standard 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi, HaLow operates in the sub-GHz spectrum (typically 900MHz). This frequency offers distinct advantages that are critical for security applications:
- Extended Range: HaLow signals can travel significantly farther than standard Wi-Fi, covering distances of up to a kilometer in open air. This makes the Ulticam HaLow ideal for rural properties, large estates, or commercial perimeters where running ethernet cables is impractical.
- Penetration Capabilities: The lower frequency allows signals to penetrate through walls, foliage, and other obstacles far more effectively than higher frequencies. This ensures stable connectivity for cameras placed in detached garages, basements, or behind thick masonry.
- Power Efficiency: Wi-Fi HaLow is designed for low-power operation. This allows the Ulticam HaLow to operate wirelessly for extended periods on battery power or solar integration, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or complex wiring.
Application Scenarios for Ulticam HaLow
At the CES showcase, Xthings demonstrated the Ulticam HaLow maintaining a rock-solid 1080p stream from a location that standard Wi-Fi cameras failed to reach. This capability opens up new possibilities for security deployment. Users can now monitor gatehouses, distant barns, or perimeter fences without the need for trenching conduit or installing expensive signal boosters.
The Ulticam HaLow module effectively decouples the camera from the constraints of traditional home networking infrastructure. By creating a dedicated, long-range sub-network, Xthings ensures that the security feed remains uninterrupted, regardless of the bandwidth congestion on the main household Wi-Fi network.
Synergy within the Xthings AIoT Ecosystem
The strength of the Xthings lineup lies not just in individual devices, but in their collective intelligence. At Magisk Modules, we understand the value of a cohesive ecosystem, and the Ulticam suite at CES 2026 exemplifies this philosophy.
Unified AI Processing
The Ulticam IQ V2, the Floodlight, and the HaLow units all feed data into a centralized AI engine. This engine is capable of cross-referencing events to reduce false alarms. For instance, if the HaLow camera at the gate detects motion, and the Floodlight camera at the front door simultaneously identifies a delivery vehicle, the system can deduce a package delivery rather than a security breach.
This level of intelligence is made possible by Xthings’ proprietary algorithms, which are continually updated via over-the-air (OTA) firmware patches. The ecosystem learns the specific patterns of the environment, distinguishing between the neighbor’s cat and an actual intruder with increasing accuracy over time.
Privacy and Data Security
In an era where data privacy is paramount, Xthings has engineered the Ulticam ecosystem with a “privacy-first” architecture. The local NPU in the IQ V2 processes video feeds locally. Only metadata and user-configured alerts are sent to the cloud. For users who prefer total local control, the system supports local storage via SD card and RTSP streaming, ensuring that sensitive footage never leaves the premises unless explicitly desired.
The integration of Wi-Fi HaLow further enhances security by reducing reliance on public cloud infrastructure for connectivity. By maintaining a robust local network, the attack surface for potential cyber threats is minimized.
Comparative Analysis: Why Ulticam Leads the Market
We have evaluated the specifications against current market leaders, and the Xthings Ulticam lineup at CES 2026 holds distinct advantages.
Range vs. Bandwidth
Traditional security cameras rely on high-bandwidth protocols like Wi-Fi 6. While fast, these cameras often suffer from signal dropouts in complex environments. The Ulticam HaLow trades ultra-high bandwidth (which is often unnecessary for surveillance streams) for exceptional range and reliability. For security applications, a stable connection is infinitely more valuable than the ability to transfer massive files quickly. Xthings recognized this trade-off and optimized the HaLow protocol for continuous, low-latency video streaming.
Illumination vs. Vision
Many competitors offer floodlight cameras, but they often treat the light and the camera as separate entities. The Ulticam IQ Floodlight integrates the two physically and logically. The AI controls the light based on what the camera sees, and the camera utilizes the light optimized for its sensor. This symbiotic relationship results in superior image quality and more effective deterrence compared to the disjointed solutions offered by other manufacturers.
Ecosystem Cohesion
Fragmented smart home setups are a common frustration. Users often manage multiple apps for cameras, lights, and sensors. The Ulticam ecosystem, showcased at CES 2026, unifies these functions. Whether you are accessing the feed from a HaLow camera at the gate or adjusting the sensitivity of the IQ Floodlight, the interface remains consistent. This unified user experience significantly lowers the barrier to entry for complex security setups.
Technical Specifications Deep Dive
To provide our readers with the granular details they expect, we have compiled a breakdown of the core technologies introduced by Xthings.
Video and Image Processing
- Resolution: The Ulticam IQ V2 and associated modules support up to 4K UHD recording at 30fps.
- Sensor Technology: Utilization of Starlight sensors for low-light performance, capable of rendering color images in near-darkness (down to 0.001 lux).
- Compression: Adoption of H.265 (HEVC) compression reduces bandwidth usage by up to 50% compared to H.264, a critical factor for maintaining smooth streams over Wi-Fi HaLow.
Connectivity Protocols
- Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah): Operates in the 900MHz band. Supports WPA3 encryption for robust security.
- Backhaul Compatibility: The central hub supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4GHz and 5GHz) for fast local network integration, while the HaLow modules provide the long-range extension.
- Ports: The IQ V2 features a Gigabit Ethernet port for hardwired reliability, alongside USB-C for peripheral expansion.
Durability and Build
- IP Ratings: The Ulticam HaLow and IQ Floodlight are rated IP65, making them resistant to dust and water jets. This ensures year-round operation in rain, snow, or dust storms.
- Operating Temperature: Rated for -20°C to 50°C, covering extreme weather conditions found in diverse climates.
Installation and User Experience
The design philosophy at CES 2026 emphasized user accessibility. We noted that Xthings has streamlined the installation process for the Ulticam HaLow and Floodlight.
Wireless Deployment
The Ulticam HaLow is designed for plug-and-play installation. By leveraging the sub-GHz spectrum, it avoids the channel congestion often found in dense urban Wi-Fi environments. Users can place the camera in a remote location, and as long as it is within the line-of-sight range of the hub (or a repeater), it will automatically pair and configure itself.
The Unified App Interface
Xthings demonstrated a mobile application that serves as the command center for the Ulticam ecosystem. The app is designed to handle multiple video streams simultaneously without lag. It allows for granular notification settings, enabling users to specify which events trigger alerts. For example, a user can configure the system to notify them only if the HaLow camera detects a person after 10 PM, ignoring vehicle detections during daylight hours.
The Future of Security: Implications of CES 2026 Announcements
The introduction of the Ulticam IQ Floodlight and Ulticam HaLow represents a paradigm shift in how we perceive security networks. We are moving away from reactive recording systems toward proactive, AI-driven security meshes.
Scalability for Smart Cities and Commercial Use
While these devices are marketed toward residential users, the underlying technology has massive commercial implications. The Wi-Fi HaLow protocol allows for the deployment of hundreds of cameras across a large campus without the need for extensive cabling. Retailers can monitor parking lots, and agricultural operations can secure distant outbuildings, all feeding back to a central hub.
Energy Independence
The power efficiency of the HaLow protocol, combined with the smart triggers of the Floodlight, contributes to a more sustainable security solution. By minimizing false alarms and unnecessary high-beam lighting, the system conserves energy. We foresee future iterations integrating solar charging directly into the HaLow units, creating a fully wireless, self-sustaining surveillance network.
Integration with Magisk Modules and Android Ecosystem
As a platform dedicated to Magisk Modules and Android customization, we see a clear intersection with the Ulticam ecosystem. Many of our users are tech enthusiasts who build custom home servers and media centers. The Ulticam IQ V2 and the HaLow cameras support RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol). This open standard allows the camera feeds to be integrated into third-party software such as Home Assistant, Shinobi, or Blue Iris.
For our users who prefer to host their own NVR (Network Video Recorder) solutions, the Xthings ecosystem provides a high-quality video source without vendor lock-in. The ability to pull 4K streams from long-range HaLow cameras into a local Android-based server is a powerful capability for smart home enthusiasts looking to automate their environment beyond standard cloud services.
Customization and API Access
Xthings has hinted at expanded API access following the CES 2026 launch. This is exciting news for the developer community. It opens the door for custom Magisk modules that could interact directly with the Ulticam hardware—triggering system events on a phone or server based on camera detection, or integrating camera data into custom Android UIs. The potential for deep integration is vast, and we will be closely monitoring the release of these developer tools.
Final Verdict on the Xthings Ulticam Lineup
The Xthings Ulticam presentation at CES 2026 was not just a product launch; it was a statement. By combining the Ulticam IQ Floodlight’s intelligent illumination with the Ulticam HaLow’s unprecedented range, Xthings has solved the two most difficult challenges in modern surveillance.
For consumers seeking a reliable, future-proof security system, the Ulticam ecosystem offers a compelling package. The transition to Wi-Fi HaLow is a decisive move that separates these devices from the crowded market of standard Wi-Fi cameras. It provides the stability and range that professional security systems require, wrapped in a user-friendly consumer product.
At Magisk Modules, we recognize superior engineering and software integration. The Xthings Ulticam suite exemplifies both. As these devices move from the CES showroom to consumer shelves in 2026, we expect them to set a new standard for what is possible in AIoT security. Whether you are securing a small apartment or a sprawling rural property, the modular nature of the Ulticam ecosystem ensures that you have the right tool for the job, all unified under one intelligent vision.