The rollout of Samsung’s most recent Galaxy AI capabilities is set to commence as early as late March, as confirmed by the company today. Through the latest One UI 6.1 update, previous Samsung devices such as the Galaxy S23 series from last year, Z Flip and Fold 5, Tab S9 series, and more will be equipped with essential Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search, Chat Assist, and Generative Edit.
In a press release on Wednesday, TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, expressed the company’s vision for Galaxy AI. He stated, “Our objective with Galaxy AI is not only to lead the way in mobile AI but also to empower users by ensuring AI is accessible to all. This marks just the initial phase of Galaxy AI, with plans to extend this experience to over 100 million Galaxy users by 2024, while continuously exploring innovative ways to leverage the boundless potential of mobile AI.”
The comprehensive array of Galaxy AI features set to be introduced to older Samsung devices encompasses:
- Communication services: Chat Assist, Interpreter, Live Translate
- Productivity services: Circle to Search, Note Assist, Browsing Assist, Transcript Assist
- Creative services: Generative Edit, Edit Suggestion, Instant Slow-Mo
Having extensively tested the latest AI functionalities during the evaluation of the Galaxy S24 series a month ago, I was pleased to discover that most of them lean towards practical utility rather than being mere gimmicks. Notably, Circle to Search has emerged as my preferred method to swiftly gather more information about the content displayed on my phone screen. Additionally, I anticipate that Interpreter mode will prove invaluable during my upcoming trip to Barcelona.
The imminent deployment of the One UI 6.1 update will extend the benefits of these features to users of older devices, with a focus on models released in 2023 initially. This includes the Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, S23 Ultra, S23 FE, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Tab S9, Tab S9 Plus, and Tab S9 Ultra.
The criteria for an older device to qualify for the convenient Galaxy AI features are not explicitly defined in Samsung’s recent press release. It merely suggests that the device must be an “AI-supported model.” Whether this entails a minimum RAM prerequisite or a specific chipset requirement remains uncertain. ZDNET has reached out to Samsung for clarification on this matter.
If the chipset does play a role in determining eligibility, it is conceivable that the Galaxy S22 series, Z Flip and Fold 4, and Tab S8 series will be the subsequent beneficiaries, as they all utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, similar to the S23 FE. Given Samsung’s recent track record of prompt software updates, it wouldn’t be surprising if this development occurs sooner rather than later.
