A few years ago, we would have called Samsung out for its lack of commitment to updating its devices, but now the Korean company rivals Google when it comes to issuing software upgrades for its handsets. Samsung’s latest One UI software in development is version 6.1, which will debut on the Galaxy S24 series on January 17th, and it’s already being reported that test builds are being prepared for up to a range of other devices.
Which Galaxy Phones Make The List?
With some of its handsets still receiving the One UI 6.0 update, it’s great that Samsung is already thinking ahead and working on test builds for some of its earlier devices. The list isn’t just for flagship phones either because a couple of Galaxy A-series models are making the initial cut.
Tarun Vats on X (Twitter) reports that Samsung is working on One UI 6.1 test builds for a range of handsets, which include the following:
- Galaxy S23 Series
- Galaxy S22 Series
- Galaxy S21 Series
- Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5
- Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4
- Galaxy S21 FE
- Galaxy A54
- Galaxy A34
There’s a good selection of phones on the list, and it’s refreshing to see a couple of the A-series phones present. Tarun Vats also states that the current list is only relevant for Snapdragon-powered handsets, although, as one would expect, Exynos-powered units will be added.
What We Expect From One UI 6.1
Thanks to Ice Universe, we know that One UI 6.1 brings improved animations with speedier frame rates, with tweaks to the background scaling animation, which will be non-linear with increased scaling capability than on the iPhone, so the colors are more vibrant.
The expected features of the One UI 6.1 software include AI-generated wallpapers, the ability to erase objects from photos, expand an image with generative AI, use AI to change the tone of highlighted text using the Samsung Keyboard, Live Translate during calls, and the ability to format text in notes and messages automatically. Many of the features use AI both onboard the device and via the cloud. It remains to be seen how much of that makes it to the older phones, such as the Galaxy S21 or the less powerful Galaxy A34.
The Importance Of Software Updates
When you buy a smartphone, the hardware will remain the same from that day until you sell or recycle it. Your phone experience will only change via a software update with new features, capabilities, and security enhancements. Some brands do the bare minimum and basically upgrade the core Android OS once or twice, and others, such as Google, load their firmware builds with a whole new experience.
Once the Galaxy S24 series launches on January 17, we’ll have confirmation of One UI 6.1’s AI-driven features. The future is looking bright for those with older devices, though, with a timely software update on the horizon. Is your device included in the list above? Let us know in the comments below.
