Samsung One UI 6.1 Update: Features, Release Date, And What To Expect
Hadley Simmons/Android Authority
Samsung's One UI is one of the richest Android interfaces on the market, and the company's upcoming One UI 6.1 update will go even further. While it may seem like a minor release on paper, rumors indicate that a major AI update is on the way. The company's next flagship phone, the Galaxy S24, will be the first to receive the update, but it will eventually be available on older Samsung devices as well. So what exactly does One UI 6.1 offer? Let's dive into what we know so far and when it will happen.
One UI 6.1 Features: What to Expect
Damian Wilde/Android Body
Samsung hasn't fundamentally changed the One UI design language in years, and it probably won't change this smaller version either. Instead, leaks indicate that One UI 6.1 will focus more on adding new features rather than improving the skin's overall appearance. So what are you waiting for? Here's an overview of the One UI 6.1 features we know so far.
- Wallpaper created by artificial intelligence . Google's AI wallpaper feature, which debuted with the Pixel 8 series, is coming to Samsung devices with the One UI 6.1 update. You can apply weather and photo effects to your wallpaper.
- Move objects between images . Using creative AI, One UI 6.1 lets you move objects between photos and even move them to other photos.
- Image expansion : The Samsung Gallery app can expand images beyond their original boundaries. This is essentially the drawing function we've seen in AI-powered image generators. To use this feature, you'll need a Samsung account and an internet connection, but at least you won't have to pay for a Midjourney subscription.
- Live translation during calls : One UI 6.1 lets you answer phone calls in languages you don't speak. The leaked screenshots reveal that your phone will translate the caller's voice in real time and do the same with your voice. It's an impressive feature, but language support is expected to be limited at launch, as we saw with Bixby Text Call last year.
- Voice Focus : Google's Clear Calling feature first appeared on the Pixel 7 series. A year later, Samsung introduced a similar feature called Voice Focus on its devices. It promises to improve call quality in noisy environments, and you should enable it in the quick settings menu.
- Battery Protection : Samsung may rename the current Battery Protection mode to Battery Protection. The latter will offer three levels: Basic, Adapted and Max. Basic will stop charging when the phone's charge level reaches 100% and will restart when the phone's charge level drops to 95%. Meanwhile, Adapt is similar to Pixel's adaptive charging feature, pausing charging at 80% overnight and resuming charging when powered off. Finally, Maximum Protection Mode will apply an 80% charge limit. All these measures prevent battery damage to one extent or another.
- Better organization of notes . Taking advantage of the larger language model, Samsung Notes may offer a new "auto-format" option. The verbose function compresses large blocks of text into short bullet summaries. Notably, it can also be used for handwritten notes.
- Samsung keyboard powered by artificial intelligence . The leak suggests that Samsung's keyboard app will allow you to change the height of selected text, similar to features added to Microsoft's Swiftkey keyboard app.
- Ultra HDR support . With Android 14, Google introduced a new photo format called Ultra HDR, which allows compatible smartphones to better capture highlights in HDR photos. The Galaxy S24 series may get this feature later, and it may also reach older flagship phones. However, the Samsung Gallery app may call this feature something other than Ultra HDR.
The long-rumored AI chatbot could launch alongside the Galaxy S24 series. However, it is not clear if it will replace Bixby or if it will reach older devices through the One UI 6.1 update.
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One UI 6.1 release date: Which smartphones will get the update?
Damian Wilde/Android Body
Samsung has confirmed that upcoming phones will have Galaxy AI technology, but we don't know if the company's older phones will also have this feature set.
Some of the above features may be exclusive to the Galaxy S24 series, especially those that use Samsung's AI processing servers. We've seen Google implement the same approach with the Magic Editor which is currently exclusive to the Pixel 8 series.
The One UI 6.1 update will reach older Samsung phones in the first months of 2024.
If anything, the One UI 6.1 update will gradually roll out to older Samsung devices soon after the Samsung Unpacked Galaxy S24 is released on January 17, 2024. The Galaxy S23 series, Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5. will likely be the first to receive the update, along with other phones that will launch in 2023.
Dozens of other Samsung devices, including tablets, will also receive the update, but some models may have to wait until late 2024. We expect all devices eligible for the One UI 6 update to also receive the One UI 6.1 update.
