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This story was updated on April 6th. Update below.
After promising to bring One UI 6.1 to more devices, Samsung is now rolling out the update to older Galaxy phones. Bringing with it formerly S24 exclusive Galaxy AI features to all of Samsung’s 2021 and 2022 flagships.
Spotted by Taurn Vats on Twitter/X and SamMobile, the rollout has already begun in Korea and it will likely hit other territories shortly, with India expected to be next on the list according to Vats. The update will make its way to the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S21 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
The Galaxy S22 range, Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 are getting almost all of Samsung’s current roster of AI features. This includes Live Translate, Circle to Search, Note Assist and generative image editing. The exception is the Instant Slo Mo camera feature, which is likely down to a lack of processing power in older handsets.
The oldest devices on the list, the Flip 3, Fold 3 and Galaxy S21 series, will only get Circle to Search according to SamMobile. This might be because of hardware limitations. Or, Samsung might want to keep some features reserved for new devices and push people into buying a new phone.
I commented previously that while updating older phones with futuristic new features is welcome, and introduces people to the company’s AI tools that it’s rolling out across its TVs and home appliances, there’s a risk of devaluing its expensively-crafted, next-generation, AI technology.
Samsung might draw that line at its mid-range phones, like the recently released A55 and A35 handsets. The former’s Exynos 1480 chipset is newer than the base Galaxy S21’s Exynos 2100 processor, but it’s not wildly different in CPU performance. Considering that Circle To Search appears to be a polished version of Google Lens, which is widely available on older Android phones, these mid-range handsets should be able to run it.
Which devices are blessed with the update (and what features are available in that update) will be part of the Galaxy AI debate this year. I suspect Samsung is still figuring out its AI strategy for its many products.
We could end up with two tiers of Samsung devices: the haves and have-nots, which might impact price and resale value. In reaction to the One UI 6.1 update news, we can already see some grumblings from S21 users about not getting AI-powered image editing tools. That chorus might get louder in the next few months.
April 6th update: it looks like One UI 6.1 will also make its way to the Galaxy A53, Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy S21 FE, according to @theonecid on X/Twitter (via SamMobile). The update will be available to owners of these devices in Canada on May 14th.
What isn’t clear, however, is whether these devices will get the same Galaxy AI features other, older, Samsung phones running One UI 6.1 currently have. Most Galaxy phones get some, or all, of; Live Translate, Circle to Search, Note Assist and generative image editing. Given their age, the A53, A54 and S21 FE might just get the Circle to Search feature—as is the case with the Flip 3, Fold 3 and other phones in Galaxy S21 line-up.
Although Galaxy AI is the jewel in One UI 6.1’s crown, there are still non-AI features that are worth the update. The new Quick Share and Samsung Find app will allow users to share with other Android devices, even without an internet connection, while letting you see where all your Galaxy devices are on a map. With new options available in Samsung Health, deeper customization of alarm and calendar alerts, as well as new Weather widget information, the One U1 6.1 update will add new tools to these devices.
