It may not happen every day, but have you ever received a phone call from someone who doesn’t speak your language?
We’re not talking about spam calls or anything like that. Maybe you’ve booked a trip and the hotel calls you to confirm, but they don’t speak your language. Or maybe you want to book a restaurant or order food from abroad. Whatever the reason, your Android phone can now translate in real time.
This is a new AI-powered feature on some of Samsung’s latest smartphones that can translate your phone calls in real time. It works both ways, so you can have a back and forth conversation, and only one person needs a compatible device.
But how does it work and which devices are compatible? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Samsung Live Translate?
Samsung’s Live Translate feature uses AI to help you have natural, real-time conversations with people speaking different languages. Whether you answer or make a call, Live Translate is triggered in just a few clicks, transforming your phone into a bilingual speaker.
The feature can handle both sides of the conversation: translating your caller’s words and translating your responses. You can choose from different voices and languages, so it’s personalized for you.
How to use live translation
Using the real-time call translation feature is simple. All you have to do is press the button that appears when you make or receive a call. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of the screen. Phone application and press Settings
- Find Live translation at the top of the settings menu, marked with an attractive orange dot if it’s your first time. Toggle the slider to enable it
- Select your preferred language and the language of the person you are calling. If it’s a new language, your phone may take a moment to download the necessary language pack.
- Decide the voice gender and speaking speed, and whether to turn off untranslated voices during the call. We recommend doing this so that there are not too many voices during the call.
- If you are dialing a number, press Call assistanceSO Live translation. If you receive a call, the same steps apply
- After a quick warning that the call will be translated, the conversation takes place in both languages, with handy transcripts appearing to keep you in the loop.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
What devices does Live Translate work on?
Live Translate was initially exclusive to the Galaxy S24 series, but it quickly expanded to include many more devices. Here is the current list of compatible phones and tablets:
To access it, you need to make sure your device is running One UI 6.1 or later.
What should I do if my phone doesn’t have Live Translate?
Your first option is to buy a new phone. Besides the Galaxy A phones, all other handsets in our guide to the best Samsung phones are compatible.
Alternatively, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a feature known as “Call Translator”, which is functionally almost identical to Live Translate.
Provided your phone is relatively modern, it might also be worth the wait. Many Android phone makers will likely roll out similar features in the coming months and years.
And while it doesn’t work during calls, live translations are built into apps like Google Translate and Microsoft Translator. You may want to set it up on an aftermarket device and put your call on speakerphone to achieve a similar effect.
You might also be interested in how to use Circle to search and summarize articles, as well as other key Galaxy AI features.
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