The five things I like most about One UI 6.1, the next big update for the Samsung Galaxy

This does not involve a notable number of changes compared to the previous version, One UI 6, but it offers improvements that end up making the user experience simpler and more complete. Because yes, One UI 6.1 It’s more than a small jump from Samsung’s custom layer: After testing it I found five changes that seem really important to me for the Samsung Galaxy.

For now, One UI 6.1 is only available on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and its younger siblings, but soon this version of the operating system will make the jump to other phones in the family. They surely won’t receive all the new features of the newer models, as is the case with the Galaxy AI toolset, although they will find a more than noticeable refresh. At least that’s my feeling last week, let’s see how I noticed it.

One UI 6.1 isn’t a big step forward, but a more refined layer is noticeable

I can’t say that One UI evolved excessively over the last few years beyond adapting Android’s new features, which also weren’t overkill. Samsung has improved privacy control

, expanded the settings around customization, the design moved closer to the Material You rules that prevail in the Android Pixel and even Samsung’s own services were unified with those of Google, such as the most recent jump to Quick Share. With that in mind, the first time I booted up One UI 6.1, it felt right at home.

Samsung redefined Control Center and Quick Settings, the classic navigation buttons of One UI have disappeared to leave only the dock and Android gestures, the animations offer more softness and fluidity and not much more aesthetically apart from a few additional touches on the icons and accents. The design of One UI 6.1 is recognizable and retains the foundations of One UI 6: Android 14.

As usually happens, Samsung introduces an intermediate step between two major updates in order to highlight your new Galaxy S from the rest of the catalog. Among all the new features of One UI 6.1, I hope that the following five will reach the rest of eligible smartphones with the future update.

Simultaneous translation in calls

English is required in my work, especially during interviews. And more than once I would have given anything for the excellent interpreter mode offered by the Samsung Phone, the application that arrives with One UI 6.1.

Once activated from the application options, and each time a call arrives, Simultaneous translation can be activated from a button on the screen

. The mobile phone then simultaneously listens and translates what is said during the conversation, even with transcribed text. And the operation is at a very good level: I appreciated the fidelity of the translations and sufficient speed for telephone conversations to be fluid.

Wallpapers created with AI

I already had this option on my Google Pixel, and it seems really positive that Samsung will eventually bring it to other Galaxy’s with One UI 6.1. In essence, it is nothing more than a wallpaper creator with generative AIsomething that can be done in tools like Bing, although integrated into the phone’s background app.

The tool creates wallpapers instantly based on your chosen keywords. To do this, it uses Google’s AI in the cloud, which allows it to technically reach the rest of Samsung phones. We will see.

Summary of web pages with AI

Samsung’s Internet browser introduced a new feature in the collection of Galaxy AI tools that I particularly appreciated: the content summary with generative AI

. A small icon appears in the bottom navigation bar and, when clicked, summarizes any page to provide a summary of key aspects. It’s perfect for when I have to visit the BOE, although it doesn’t always sum it up as well as it should. This is something Google is also testing in Chrome.

Generative editing in the Gallery app

This is one of my favorite features on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro: the magical AI editor in the Google Photos app. Like other related functions, Samsung brings it to One UI 6.1 for use on the Galaxy S24. Hopefully on other devices too.

Once in the One UI gallery, simply edit any image (pencil icon) so that the magical editor floating bubble appears, at the bottom left. Said editor allows you to crop anything from the background, you can apply bokeh and even adjust the image by transforming objects, people or animals. He even invents the background: I find it a super creative tool.

Adaptive color tone for the screen

With this option active, adjustable both in the screen settings and in the control center, the mobile panel adapts its tone to the lighting and temperature of the environment. This is a very comfortable option to avoid straining your eyes, especially at night. The most likely is that it will reach all Samsung Galaxy updated to One UI 6.1.

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