In just less than three months after the last major update, Samsung is once again poised for a quick update of its custom Android skin. Yup, One UI 6.1 seems to be all but confirmed to currently available Samsung mobile units next week, January 17th, with a slew of updates focusing on even more AI-based wizardry.
One UI 6.1, Galaxy S24, and AI
January 17, 2024 is the official date for this year’s Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event. This year, there is an express focus on the realm of AI for the event, plus the highly anticipated first look at the latest Galaxy S24 flagship model.
For the past few weeks, it has been universally agreed that a new One UI update will coincide with the announcement of S24. Indeed, about a month after One UI 6.0 was released on October 30, 2023, there were already strong rumors, plus a couple of leaks that somewhat confirm a January deadline for yet another OS update.
With the schedule for the 2024 Unpacked event now confirmed, the expected date for the anticipated One UI 6.1 is now more or less confirmed as well.
What’s New with One UI 6.1 Again?
To recap, according to the series of leaks last December 2023 started by BenIt Bruhner Pro via X (formerly Twitter), the supposed features of this latest update are:
- AI-generated wallpapers (initially available only for the Pixel 8), including the application of weather and portrait effects
- Possibly move around objects in pictures with AI, even take them onto a different picture!
- Expand a photo (outside its borders) with AI, requires a Samsung account and is an online feature if implemented
- Possibly change the tone of highlighted text via the Samsung Keyboard with AI
- Possible Auto format button for the Notes app, collapsing walls o’ text into concise summaries via AI (large language models).
- Live translation (like, in real-time) during calls
- Voice focus implementation, which is basically like Clear Calling, and is designed to make calls clearer in noisier environments
- Possible Ultra HDR support (especially with the release of the Galaxy S24)
Newer Leak Updates
By the end of December, the primary (most important) updates for the expected One UI 6.1 update were yet again revised with a few additions. This time, it was via another reliable leak that focused more on the coinciding features that would also be highly advertised for the Galaxy S24 series:
- Zoom Anyplace – allows for “revolutionary and unparalleled camera capabilities”, claimed to be powered by a 200MP ISOCELL sensor, and yes… Qualcomm’s AI Motor. Hints at some type of AI-assisted image enhancement technology for the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
- Good Lock 2024 – While we only had Good Lock 6.0 very recently, the upcoming One UI 6.1 update would yet again bump the goalpost forward with stuff like Keys Cafe and ClockFace bug fixes.
- Not only would the Samsung Keyboard change sentence tones (as leaked earlier), but it would also natively integrate translation features.
- Anticipated fixes for long-time issues such as One Hand Operation + bugs
Device Availability
The latest leak ensures that all Samsung mobile devices will benefit from the custom Android update. However, there was no indication of whether it will be rolled out to all devices at once. that being said, it is very likely that it will arrive at the earliest/native One UI 6.0 devices first as the Galaxy S24 gets unveiled later this week.
See you on the 17th!
