Samsung
Samsung One UI 6.1.1 and its brand new Galaxy AI features
Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 are now available to purchase in over 100 countries globally. The new foldables run One UI 6.1.1 software, packing a lot of new Galaxy AI features and improved functions.
The July Unpacked was so thrilling given Samsung’s next frontier for Galaxy AI, powered by One UI 6.1.1. The software fuels a range of AI features and tools to maximize the large screen and significantly enhance productivity across devices.
Samsung One UI 6.1.1 Galaxy AI Features List
Note Assist
Samsung Notes app added the Note Assist feature with One UI 6.1 earlier this year. The latest upgrade brings in-built transcript and PDF Overlay Translation.
- A newly embedded transcript feature enables transcription, translation, and summarizing of voice recordings directly in Notes.
- Texts in PDF files can be translated and overlaid perfectly through the PDF overlay translation feature in Notes and it even supports text in images and graphs.
Samsung Keyboard
Samsung has also up-leveled its native Keyboard app with a new Composer feature.
- It can generate suggested text based on simple keywords for email and supported social media apps.
- For social media, the Composer creates text that reflects your tone by analyzing previous posts.
Samsung Gallery
Samsung’s Gallery and Notes app integrated a cool Generative AI feature called Sketch to Image. Paired with the S Pen, it takes your creativity and inner artist to a whole new level, you must try it out.
- Sketch to Image lets you create more sophisticated art pieces by generating image options when you simply sketch or draw on the photos in Gallery or Notes.
Samsung x Google
Google has updated the Gemini App for Samsung Galaxy devices. The optimized version is fully integrated into the new Galaxy Z series.
- By simply swiping the corner of the screen or saying, “Hey Google”, you can bring up Gemini’s overlay and get help with writing, learning, or planning.
- Gemini is combined with your favorite Google apps to make it easier to organize a perfect travel itinerary through real-time flight and hotel booking information.
- You can even get detailed info about a YouTube video using the multi-window split-screen to ask questions to Gemini overlay.
- If you are curious about who the artist is in the video, just long-press the home button and circle, highlight, or tap on the screen — and Circle to Search will offer instant search results.
Interpreter
Galaxy AI’s upgraded Interpreter brings a new conversation mode for a dual-screen form factor. It enables both parties to conveniently view translations on the main and cover screens.
Live Translate
Samsung also enhanced Live Translate and it’s set to extend beyond Samsung’s own native calling app to a selection of popular third-party apps such as WhatsApp and Google Meet.
Photo Assist, Photo Studio, and Instant Slow-mo
- Samsung Gallery features even more smart Photo Assist for foldable phones that helps you to effortlessly create professional-grade content.
- Portrait Studio creates a variety of different portrait styles such as 3D avatars, cartoons, or watercolors for more creative possibilities.
- Instant Slow-mo lets you instantly slow a video by generating additional frames while maintaining a smooth viewing experience.
Suggested replies
Consumers will benefit from Suggested replies features. Powered by AI capabilities, it analyzes your latest messages to suggest relevant responses that you can use without any modification.
Photo Ambient
Based on time and weather conditions, Photo Ambient ensures changing the wallpaper in real time. Galaxy users can also create a unified look and feel with suggested screen layout options such as moving the clock and changing the frame color.
Auto Zoom
On the Galaxy Z Flip 6, the FlexCam function added a new Auto Zoom feature. It finds the best framing for your shot by detecting the subject and zooming in and out.
In early September, Samsung announced the expansion of One UI 6.1.1 to older devices. Flagships including the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Tab S9 series get most of the new features debuted in One UI 6.1.1.
On November 19, Google dropped the Android 16 Developer Preview. It’s a very initial development stage of the new Android version. Samsung Galaxy devices may receive the new Android 16-based One UI (8) update in the second half of 2025.
Dozens of Samsung Galaxy devices are eligible for the Android 16 update. Galaxy smartphone users are currently waiting for the One UI 7 Beta Program to kick off. It will bring Android 15 to Samsung smartphones and tablets.
Samsung’s running way too late this year. It hasn’t yet started the new software’s beta testing. The public rollout is slated to be started early next year. Meanwhile, Google is shifting gears to streamline Android’s adoption across vendors.
In recent years, Samsung has significantly improved its software support. The majority of new phones come with at least six years of OS update support. The policy peaks up to 7 years on flagship devices starting the Galaxy S24 series.
Determining the Android 16’s eligibility for Galaxy isn’t a pretty difficult task. You will surely receive the update if your device is shipped with Android 14. It’s for entry-level phones, while for most there’s no concern for mid-range and flagships.
Samsung Android 16 Eligible Device List
Galaxy S Smartphones:
- Galaxy S22 Series
- Galaxy S23 Series
- Galaxy S24 Series
Galaxy Z Fold and Flip Phones:
- Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4
- Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5
- Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6
Galaxy S FE Phones:
- Galaxy S21 FE
- Galaxy S23 FE
- Galaxy S24 FE
Galaxy A Phones:
- Galaxy A33, A53 and A73
- Galaxy A14, A24, A34 and A54
- Galaxy A15, A25, A35 and A55
- Galaxy A06, A16
Galaxy Tab Tablets:
- Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8+ and Tab S8 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S9+ and Tab S9 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S10+ and Tab S10 Ultra
Note: This is not a final device list nor shared by Samsung. Based on the official software support promise, the above-listed Samsung phones and tablets will surely receive a major OS upgrade in the second half of 2025.
The listing of the S21 FE may have caught your attention due to missing the missing S21 series. For those shocking, the S21 series and S21 FE are eligible for four OS upgrades. The S21 FE launched with Android 12, while the S21 series with Android 11.
Android 16 is the thing of next year, we eagerly await the One UI 7 Beta along with covering the latest insights. The official rollout will commence after unveiling at the Galaxy Unpacked next year, which could fall in late January.
Samsung has released the November 2024 update for the Galaxy S24 FE, which brings a new Auto Blocker feature. This update is currently rolling out in the US and will be available to more users soon.
The advanced Auto Blocker feature for Samsung Galaxy S24 FE helps improve your device’s security by blocking USB devices from connecting to your phone when Maximum Restrictions mode is enabled.
In the Maximum Restrictions mode, only charging is allowed through USB connections. This means other devices, like a computer or another phone, won’t be able to access your data if they try to connect via USB.
The extra layer of protection is useful for users who need stronger security, preventing unauthorized access to your data if someone physically connects to your phone.
Along with the new feature, the update also includes general improvements to system security and stability, making your Galaxy S24 FE more reliable and safer to use.
To get the update, Samsung Galaxy S24 FE users should look for the One UI build version S721USQS3AXK3, which is around 400MB in size. To install it, just go to Settings, tap on Software Update, and select Download and Install.
If you’ve received the update, it’s recommended to install it to benefit from the new features, enhanced security along new Auto Blocker support.
Samsung One UI 7 will provide extra security with advanced Auto Blocker feature
Samsung is likely to work on a new feature for its TVs called Color Booster Pro. The company recently (November 15, 2024) filed a trademark for the name, which suggests it might be an upgraded version of its current Color Booster feature.
Currently, Color Booster is available on some Samsung smart TVs. It allows users to make the colors on their screen brighter and more vivid, especially red and blue tones.
The trademark application covers chips and software used to improve the image quality of TVs, monitors, and digital signs. While details are still unclear, there are a few possibilities for what the Color Booster Pro feature could be.
There might be one possibility that Samsung may just want to protect the name Color Booster Pro to make sure no one else can use it. Another possibility is that the company might rename the current Color Booster feature to Color Booster Pro without changing it too much.
If Samsung is working on an advanced version for the version of the Color Booster then it could be the most possibility. It might give users more options to fine-tune the picture quality to allow for more control than the current Low and High settings.
We might see Color Booster Pro in select 2025 TV models possibly along with a new version of its Tizen operating system, only if Samsung moves forward with this.
While nothing is certain yet, this trademark filing shows that Samsung is thinking about ways to improve how users can adjust their TV’s picture settings. For now, we’ll have to wait and see if Color Booster Pro becomes a real feature.