The Galaxy S24 series debuted in late January, running on the Android 14-based One UI 6.1. A standout feature of Samsung’s latest One UI skin is the Galaxy AI suite, comprising various AI-powered functionalities. Following the launch of the Galaxy S24, Samsung confirmed that many Galaxy AI features would also extend to its 2023 flagship and premium phones, including the Galaxy S23 series, scheduled for late March 2024. With less than a week remaining in the month, a more specific rollout date for the update has surfaced online.
Samsung notified Galaxy S23 users in China via push notification, revealing that One UI 6.1 would begin rolling out on March 28th. This aligns with the date previously confirmed on Samsung’s South Korean community platform. Considering the company’s past update deployment patterns, the firmware might become available in Europe or Asia a day or two before March 28th.
Initially, the firmware is expected to roll out for unlocked Galaxy S23 units, with carrier units receiving the update in the subsequent weeks. Availability will vary based on region.
As part of One UI 6.1, the Galaxy S23 will receive Galaxy AI features such as Instant Slow-Mo, Transcript Assist, Generative AI wallpapers, Browsing Assist, and more. Additionally, Google’s Circle to Search gesture will be introduced to Samsung’s 2023 flagship. These AI features will remain free until late 2025, after which Samsung plans to implement charges.
Apart from the Galaxy S23, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Flip 5, S23 FE, and the Galaxy Tab S9 series are also set to receive One UI 6.1 by late March. Their firmware is expected to be released around the same time or in early April.
However, Galaxy AI features will not be extended to Samsung’s 2022 flagships. Despite heavy promotion of Galaxy AI features during the Galaxy S24 launch, Samsung surprised many by confirming that almost all of these features would be available on the Galaxy S23 series and Fold 5.
Although One UI 6.1 will eventually reach older Galaxy phones like the Galaxy S22 series, Samsung has clarified that they will not have access to the Galaxy AI suite of features due to their outdated hardware.
