Samsung
One UI 6.1.1 update changelog for 2021 Samsung flagships
Samsung recently pushed the One UI 6.1.1 update to Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 released in 2021. The major update is gradually rolling out to 2021 flagships. The Galaxy S21 series was also launched in 2021 but is ineligible for most Galaxy AI features.
Still, Samsung is sharing many One UI 6.1.1 enhancements with 2021 flagship models. Mid-range and budget phones are not eligible for the incremental update. These features and enhancements would come as part of the One UI 7 update.
One UI 6.1.1 brings Smart Select to the Apps Edge panel. You can quickly call phone numbers, locate addresses, enhance images, and more. Selecting something on the screen with Smart Select will now present suggested actions related to the selection.
While Galaxy AI is not included, One UI 6.1.1 contains pretty much stuff. Samsung has already rolled out the Circle to Search feature. Explore all the changes included in One UI 6.1.1 update through the official changelog below:
One UI 6.1.1 update changelog
Discover new insights and stay motivated
Stay inspired throughout your health experience with new wellness tips in Samsung Health. Wellness tips offer valuable insights and encouragement to help you achieve your health goals.
Get more detailed sleep analysis
New sleep insights give you more detailed and accurate analysis of your sleep quality. Your comprehensive sleep report now includes your heart rate, respiratory rate, and the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep after you lie down.
Make your own workout routines
Combine a series of different exercises together for a custom workout routine. You can set targets for sets, reps, time, and more. After you start your routine, your watch can automatically switch to the next exercise when you meet your target. You can optionally add breaks in between exercises. When your routine is finished, you can view your results for the entire routine all in one place.
Connect cycling power meters
Get more useful data from your cycling workouts. Samsung Health now supports connecting to cycling power meters attached to your bike. A power meter allows you to track your functional threshold power (FTP) to give you more insights into your training.
Suggested actions for Smart select
Take action quickly based on what’s shown on your screen. When you select something on your screen with Smart select, you’ll now get suggested actions related to your selection.
You can quickly call phone numbers, locate addresses, enhance images, and more. Smart select can now be accessed in the Apps Edge panel.
Enhanced multi window experience
It’s easier than ever to switch between picture-in-picture and split screen. Touch and hold a video playing in picture-in-picture, then drag it to the side of the screen where you want to play it.
Easier file copying and moving
It’s easier than ever to find the right folder when copying or moving files in My Files. You can now choose the destination folder in a pop-up window so you can easily return the original folder when you’re finished.
Create file shortcuts on the Home screen
Get faster access to the files you use most. Touch and hold any file in My Files, then use your other hand to navigate to the Home screen. Drop the file anywhere on your Home screen to create a shortcut to the file.
Improved thumbnail image display
See how images will appear before you open them. Thumbnail images for pictures and videos in My Files now appear in the original aspect ratio.
Automate your watch with modes and routines
Modes you set up on your phone, such as Sleep mode, Exercise mode, or Theater mode, can now automatically control more of your watch’s settings based on what you’re doing or where you are.
In addition to Watch faces and Do not disturb, modes can now also control Always On Display, Raise wrist to wake, Touch screen to wake, Turn bezel to wake, Sound mode, and Disconnection alerts.
More message filtering options
When you create a routine that starts when you receive a message or notification, you now have more fine-tuned control. You can add multiple keywords and choose to start the routine when all keywords are included or when any keyword is included in the message or notification.
Clip just what you need
Touch and hold a person or object in any photo to clip it. You can now clip multiple items at once. After clipping, you can easily turn your selection into a sticker or copy and paste it somewhere else.
Design and share your profile card
Design your own profile card with your name and picture that other Galaxy users can see when you call them or when they view your contact info. You can also create profile cards for other people in your contacts so you can see their card when they call you.
Skim through videos quickly
Save time and effort with new video seek controls in the Video Player app. Double tap the right side of the screen to go forward 5 seconds. Double tap the left side of the screen to go back 5 seconds.
Answer calls with a tap instead of a swipe
If you have difficulty swiping, you can set your phone to answer calls with a simple tap of a button.
Answer all calls using the speaker
Enjoy easier hands-free calls. If you prefer taking calls on the speaker, a new setting lets you answer all calls on the speaker by default instead of manually switching for each call.
Get frequent weather updates
Stay prepared for sudden weather changes. Weather information now automatically updates at least once every hour to make sure you always have the latest forecasts.
Extra-strong security
If you have special security needs, you can now set Auto Blocker to apply maximum restrictions to get the highest level of protection against malware and security threats.
Hyperlinks and automatic downloading attachments in messages are blocked, location data is removed when sharing pictures, and shared albums in Gallery can’t be used.
Enhanced Assistant menu
You can now open the quick panel with just one tap. You also have greater control of physical buttons. Use the Assistant menu to press and hold or double press the Side button.
Samsung
These Samsung Galaxy Devices Will Get Android 16 (One UI 8) Update
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
Samsung brings advanced Auto Blocker feature to Galaxy S24 FE
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
Samsung’s ‘Color Booster Pro’ trademark hints at new TV 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.