You no longer have to buy Samsung Galaxy S24 range get AI Galaxy, the new suite of AI-powered features that debuted earlier this year. Samsung will begin rolling out its One UI 6.1 update on March 28, which will bring Galaxy AI to older devices, including the Galaxy S23 programming, the Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Flip 5 And Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Samsung previously announced plans to bring Galaxy AI to last year’s Galaxy S phones and foldables, but recently revealed when the update will be launched. The rollout is just the latest sign that phone makers see generative artificial intelligence — or AI that can create content after being trained on data — as a key part of where smartphones will go.
In addition to the phones mentioned above, the update will also start rolling out this week to the Wi-Fi versions of the Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, and S9 Ultra. Samsung says One UI 6.1 will be available for devices sold through its own retail channel as well as Best Buy, Amazon, AT&T, T-Mobile, UScellular and Verizon, among other carriers and partners.
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Galaxy AI is an umbrella term for several software features launched on the Galaxy S24 series. These features include Circle to search, which allows you to launch a Google search for a specific item or product simply by circling it with your finger on the screen. There’s also Chat Assist for translating text conversations or rewriting texts in a different tone before sending them, and Live Translate, which translates phone calls in real time.
Photo and video editing is also a major area of focus for Galaxy AI. Generative Edit, for example, allows you to manipulate or erase objects in photos, while still Instant slow motion lets you preview clips in slow motion simply by tapping and holding your finger on the video.
But Photo Ambient Wallpaper, the feature that uses AI to change your wallpaper photo based on time and weather, will remain exclusive to the Galaxy S24 series, according to a Samsung representative.
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Samsung’s update comes as generative AI is expected to play a bigger role in smartphones in the future. THE International Data Society, which monitors the mobile market, estimates that 170 million next-generation AI smartphones will ship in 2024, representing nearly 15% of total shipments. Apple is also expected to introduce new generative AI features to the iPhone with iOS 18its next major software update, according to Bloomberg.
Samsung’s choice to bring Galaxy AI to current phones is also very telling. This suggests the company cares more about getting Galaxy AI into the hands of as many people as possible rather than using AI to force buyers to upgrade.
Correction, 4:49 p.m.: An earlier version of this story’s headline incorrectly stated the launch date of Samsung’s One UI 6.1 update. The update will be released on March 28.
Editor’s note: CNET uses an AI engine to create some stories. To learn more, see this post.
