Millions of Samsung Galaxy fans have rushed to download the latest free software upgrade — known as One UI 6.1 — making it one of the most popular Android updates ever shipped by the company.
Over 8.8 million Galaxy smartphone owners across Europe have installed the latest version of the mobile operating system, which is based on Android 14, but includes several exclusive features developed by the teams at Samsung. The headline feature is Galaxy AI — a suite of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) features that can help rewrite emails, summarise lengthy notes, edit photographs, and translate incoming calls in real time.
Almost 75% of all Galaxy Z Fold 5, 80% of S23 Ultra, and close to 65% of Galaxy Tab S9 users across Europe have now downloaded the One UI 6.1 update — one of the biggest uptakes for a software update, Samsung tells GB News.
Samsung wants 100 million users globally to be using Galaxy AI by the end of the year. In a bid to reach that lofty goal, the technology giant is expanding the number of devices eligible for the One UI 6.1 update.
One of the features built into its Galaxy AI suite is Generative Edit, which lets you adjust the size and position of subjects in your photos, with Artificial Intelligence filling in the blanks
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The free upgrade, which was preinstalled on the Galaxy S24, S24+, Galaxy S24 Ultra when they hit store shelves at the start of the year, was later made available across the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Tab S9 series, with the official rollout beginning in March.
Samsung's next-generation One UI 6.1 is now coming to Galaxy S22 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 4, and Galaxy Z Flip4 foldable phones, and the Galaxy Tab S8 series tablets later this month.
Speaking about the success of One UI 6.1 across Europe, Vice President and Head of MX for Samsung UK, James Kitto said: "Our goal has always been to bring the benefits of AI to everyone, unlocking the potential of this amazing new technology.
"We believe that AI has the power to enhance everyone’s mobile experience and we’re very pleased to see customers responding so well. In the UK alone we now have around two million people taking advantage of Galaxy AI features and this number is only increasing. The new era of AI has really taken hold and there’s so much more to come."
If you have an eligible Samsung Galaxy device in your pocket, you'll be able to download the latest version of One UI now. All Galaxy AI features will be available free of charge until the end of 2025, with the small-print buriedat the bottom of Samsung’s website suggesting that a monthly fee could apply after that deadline.
Microsoft recently started to charge for AI tricks in its Windows and Microsoft Office products too. And Google is considering charging for its AI-powered search in the future.
If your Samsung device can be updated to One UI 6.1, which is based on Android 14, then you’ll be able to get real-time translations for incoming phone calls and text messages. Samsung’s AI will also be able to help adjust the tone of messages and emails written on-device too.
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Circle To Search, which lets you start a Google search for anything on-screen by simply encircling it with your fingertip, is also coming to all One UI 6.1-compatible devices, as well as Note Assist, which quickly summarises the contents of notes into bullet points or reformats your writing.
Interpreter, a clever feature to help when travelling that splits your screen and provides real-time translates for in-person conversations, will also make its way to older Galaxy phones.
Photo editing also enjoys a boost with One UI 6.1, allowing you to resize, reposition, or realign any objects in your photos to create the perfect shot. For example, if you’d rather that someone was standing a little further to the left, you can shift them over and the AI will fill-in any blank space.
Samsung says its Galaxy AI uses a combination of on-device and cloud-based artificial smarts, so you might need an active internet connection to make use of some of the functionality.
Samsung has packed a number of communication-focused features in Galaxy AI features, including the ability to adjust message tone and translate messages in 13 different languages using Chat Assist. Galaxy phone and tablet owners can also leverage real-time interactions through Live Translate, which provides voice and text translations for phone calls.
With Interpreter, users can also engage in spontaneous conversations with locals while travelling as the split-screen feature generates text translations for live conversations as they’re taking place.
One UI 6.1 supercharges search with the new Circle to Search with Google, which generates intuitive search results with a swift circle-motioned gesture.
Never manually organise your digital life again, with features like Note Assist that lets you create formats, generate summaries and translate notes, while Browsing Assist keeps you up-to-date faster by generating summaries of news articles.
Transcript Assist can also easily transcribe meeting recordings and generate summaries and translations in seconds.
Samsung's AI can quickly summarise long paragraphs into easy-to-read bullet points, which can be saved as a separate note or added as front page to the original note
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With Galaxy AI, Samsung has doubled down on creative features too. With Generative Edit, AI-supported devices can easily resize, reposition, or realign objects in photos to perfect a great shot.
You’ll also be able to polish photos faster and easier than ever with Edit Suggestion. No need for multiple re-shots as Instant Slow-Mo uses Artificial Intelligence to generate additional frames to make any existing videos play in slow-motion.
And lastly, customizing your Galaxy device is easier than before with Samsung’s AI-generated wallpapers. With a simple written prompt, the AI will paint an entirely new image for you.
