Presently, to access the latest AI functionalities from Samsung, one requires a Galaxy S24 phone. However, this exclusivity is about to change as Samsung has announced plans to extend Galaxy AI features to the S23 series, including the S23 FE, along with recent foldables and tablets in late March through the One UI 6.1 update. While these features are currently provided free of charge, there’s a possibility of them becoming paid services after 2025.
The upcoming update will encompass devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, and S9 Ultra. Samsung aims to deliver Galaxy AI to approximately 100 million phones this year, and including these devices in the update marks a solid initial step towards achieving this goal. Notably, the One UI 6.1 update will introduce acclaimed AI features from the S24 series, such as live translation capabilities, generative photo and video editing, and Google’s Circle to Search feature. These features employ a combination of on-device and off-device processing, mirroring the functionality of the S24 series.
The prospect of older devices acquiring new functionalities is undoubtedly positive, despite the current mixed performance of Galaxy AI. While these features may occasionally exhibit inconsistencies, they generally prove to be useful, with minimal adverse effects. Additionally, One UI 6.1 will introduce several non-AI updates, including lockscreen widgets and the streamlined Quick Share feature.
For users interested in upgrading to One UI 6.1 but preferring to avoid the AI features, Samsung offers the option to disable them. This straightforward approach allows users to circumvent encountering potentially undesirable features like Pillow Arm.