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Your Older Samsung Device Is Getting AI Features Very Soon

Some older Galaxy devices are getting the AI treatment.
A photograph of a hand holding a Samsung Galaxy 23 Ultra against a blurred background
Credit: Framesira/Shutterstock

Samsung has officially confirmed that a slew of Galaxy devices from 2023 should get Galaxy AI, the company’s new suite of AI tools, by the end of the month. 

Samsung previously announced eventual plans to release One UI 6.1, which includes all the new AI features, to the Galaxy S23 and other Galaxy devices last month. However, the company followed up with a post on its Korean website that confirms it should be on track to be released by the end of March. Now we finally have even more confirmation, as Samsung enthusiasts have shared screenshots of pop-ups explaining when the new update will be available.

According to screenshots shared by X user @tarunvats33, One UI 6.1 will begin arriving on March 28 in China. Other screenshots show that Samsung Italy has also confirmed the arrival of One UI 6.1 on March 28, though no confirmation of whether it will be released elsewhere has been revealed just yet.

It is possible we could see a worldwide release. However, with large updates like this, companies have been known to release them as part of a rollout, so it could take several days for the update to hit Samsung phones in other parts of the world.

The news that Samsung is bringing Galaxy AI to some of its older Galaxy devices is obviously very exciting, especially for those who didn’t upgrade to the new Galaxy S24 Ultra or any of the other S24 lineup. Alongside Galaxy AI, One UI 6.1 will also bring other updates to last year’s Galaxy devices, though the AI features are certainly going to be the highlight for many users.

Here’s a look at all the phones that Samsung previously confirmed will get One UI 6.1:

  • Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, S23 Ultra

  • Galaxy S23 FE

  • Galaxy Z Fold 5

  • Galaxy Z Flip 5

  • Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, and S9 Ultra

Samsung has not mentioned any plans to hold back any AI features from any of these older devices, which sets it apart from some of its competitors. Google has played hardball with its AI features on the Pixel 8 lineup, even revealing that the regular Pixel 8 won’t get Gemini Nano and most of the upcoming AI features due to “hardware limitations.” 

What those limitations are is unclear, as both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro run the same chipset. On the other side of things, though, Samsung appears to have no issues making the newer AI features work on older tech, as all of the phones and tablets on the list above are running different hardware than the Galaxy S24, where Galaxy AI debuted.

The features coming with Galaxy AI include things like translation tools, new photo-editing tools, and Google’s Circle to Search feature. It is disappointing that we don’t have a firm release date just yet, but at least owners of older Galaxy devices can expect to see those AI features coming to their devices sooner rather than later.