These Samsung phones are getting a big update this month

By Joe Maring March 14, 2024

Someone holding the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with the display turned on. — Joe Maring / Digital Trends

We all love getting a big software update on our phones, and if you bought a Samsung phone within the last year or so, you should have one coming your way very soon.

Last month, Samsung announced plans to release its One UI 6.1 update — which includes its new Galaxy AI features — to a variety of its 2023 smartphones. Samsung said the update was coming in March, but we’re close to halfway through the month, and there had been no update on One UI 6.1 since. Thankfully, it looks like the update is still on track for a timely release.

Samsung just published a new blog post on its Korean Samsung Newsroom website. In the post, Samsung reiterates that One UI 6.1 is still on track for release “from the end of this month.” Samsung doesn’t provide an exact release date, but it’s still good to have confirmation that the update hasn’t been delayed.

For a quick refresher, Samsung previously confirmed that One UI 6.1 is coming to all of the following devices:

Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, and S9 Ultra

The big draw to One UI 6.1 is that it will add Galaxy AI features to these devices — the same Galaxy AI features that debuted on the Galaxy S24 series earlier this year.

Although not every Galaxy AI feature is a home run, there’s still a lot to look forward to. Samsung’s translation tools are quite cool, allowing you to translate and transcribe phone calls and in-person conversations in real time. There are also powerful photo-editing tools, enabling you to quickly remove shadows from a picture, delete unwanted objects, and more.

Although a firm release date would have been preferred, it’s reassuring that One UI 6.1 should still arrive soon. Samsung should have more to say in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Section Editor, Mobile

Joe Maring is the Section Editor for Digital Trends' Mobile team, leading the site's coverage for all things smartphones…

Mobile

5 phones you should buy instead of the Google Pixel 8

A person holding the Google Pixel 8, showing the back of the phone.

The Google Pixel 8 is a well-received Android-based smartphone. However, there are reasons why you might not choose it and opt for something else. Perhaps its 6.2-inch display does not meet your requirements, or its camera system does not match your expectations. It could also be possible that you would prefer a phone released in 2024 instead of one launched late last year.

If you’re not interested in buying the Google Pixel 8, several alternative phones may be more suitable for your needs. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S24 has the same-sized display as the Pixel 8 but with better internals. Alternatively, you could consider the OnePlus 12R, which offers a bigger display and better internals at a lower price. And that's just scratching the surface.

Mobile

I have Samsung’s newest cheap phone, and I’m a bit worried

A person holding the Samsung Galaxy A55.

The Galaxy A55 is Samsung’s newest midrange, affordable smartphone, built as an alternative for those who don’t want to splash out on the Galaxy S24. But that does not mean it doesn’t feel special. Samsung has updated the design in a few subtle ways that make the Galaxy A55 look and feel desirable from the moment you pick it up.

I’m getting ready to give the Galaxy A55 a full review, but in the meantime, here are my very early impressions of Samsung’s latest affordable phone. As I hinted at, it's definitely looking good, but unfortunately, a few concerns are also creeping in — which I hope will quickly disappear.
A new, sharp shape

Mobile

This new folding phone costs less than half the price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max

ZTE Flip 5G color options.

Earlier this year, ZTE offshoot Nubia showed off a foldable phone, and expectedly, the biggest draw was its supposedly attractive asking price. As U.S. shoppers waited for the phone to hit retail shelves, ZTE launched it in Japan as the Libero Flip. Thankfully, the wait is finally over on this side of the Atlantic, as well.

Nubia's website has recently listed the Nubia Flip 5G for pr-eorder on its website. The best part is the asking price, which is only $500 for the base variant with a respectable 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. You can bump the RAM to 12GB and double the storage capacity for an additional $200.