the update that will quickly boost your smartphone (if compatible)

One UI 6.1 (Android 14) is coming to a selection of Samsung smartphones and tablets at the end of the month. This interface brings Galaxy AI functions to older generations.

Samsung brings its One UI 6.1 interface to some of its old high-end references, allowing them to benefit from its advances in terms of artificial intelligence and “ dominate the market »according to his vice-president.

Last January, the Galaxy S24s were launched under Android 14 with One UI 6.1. Their manufacturer then promised that this version would be ported to existing devices before the end of the first half of 2024.

Which Galaxy are upgrading to One UI 6.1?

Word kept for Samsung, which today announced the deployment of One UI 6.1 on the Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Tab S9. Don’t rush to your smartphones or tablets, the availability of the update in question will be effective at the end of the month, without further details. For completeness, here are all the models affected by this update:

The Galaxy S22 is conspicuous by its absence. Although two years old, it shares the same Exynos 2200 SoC as the Galaxy S23 FE here. Also, it is in no way hardware limited to accommodate One UI 6.1 and its AI functions.

What is Galaxy AI?

Arriving with the Galaxy S24, Galaxy AI brings together all the artificial intelligence functions available in Samsung’s new flagship. Flagship is not a term taken at random since Galaxy AI reserves itself at the high end for now. Even the 2023 models affected by the update are only premium devices. Thus, the Galaxy A35 and A55 that we have taken in hand will not benefit from these technological advances.

Samsung’s artificial intelligence touches multiple aspects of its system. In photography, she is proactive in proposing modifications to adjust the photos. Generative AI makes it possible to cut out an element of a photo and move it in the image by modifying its properties.

In video, slow-mo is used in post-production, even if your original shot is in 30 or 60 fps, the AI ​​transforms it into 240 fps by interpolation. In messages, the AI ​​offers to rephrase your text according to the desired tone.

Conversations are also touched with a chat system automatically generating translations for both people speaking face-to-face. Stronger, this tool is applied to calls, but with less gusto.

And these are just a few examples. We have extensively tested the AI ​​functions of the Galaxy S24 in this dedicated file. These are the same ones that devices updated to One UI 6.1 will benefit from.

Full of AI functions, but at what price?

At the end of 2023, the selection of devices chosen by Samsung for One UI 6.1 had already benefited from the addition of Android 14 as well as One UI 6.0. Strategically, the update to One UI 6.1 seems more important for Samsung. In its press release, the brand claims that by bringing this version to more models, “Samsung Electronics will bring Galaxy AI experience to more users and lead the market”aiming for 100 million smartphones equipped with its artificial intelligence solution.

It remains to be seen how long users will keep Galaxy AI because of its economic model which remains to be defined. Regarding the Galaxy S24, Samsung has announced a two-year free offer. He then explains that they have not yet decided how to make their investment in artificial intelligence profitable after 2025. Basic functions could remain freebut new, more powerful AI options added later may only be available through a paid subscription.