As is Samsung’s tradition, every flagship Galaxy phone is launched with a new version of One UI. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 are no exception. They were announced at the Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event in Paris with One UI 6.1.1. Typically, One UI x.1 and x.x.1 updates are not major updates. One UI 6.1.1 can be considered an upgrade to One UI 6.1 with a few new Galaxy AI features.
While One UI 6.1 introduced Galaxy AI to the world through the Galaxy S24 series, the new One UI 6.1.1 for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 adds more features to Samsung’s Advanced Intelligence suite.
That’s not all, One UI 6.1.1 also brings a few minor changes to the overall user interface, such as the new Galaxy AI section in the Settings app. So, you no longer have to go to Advanced Features and Advanced Intelligence to enable or disable Galaxy AI features.
In addition, One UI 6.1.1 also has another major upgrade tailored for the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It boasts four new widgets for Samsung Health, SmartThings, Reminder, and Samsung News. In addition, there are four new apps optimized for the outer display: Facebook, Gmail, Google Messages, and Google Maps.
New Galaxy AI Features in One UI 6.1.1
It's clear that One UI 6.1.1 focuses on improving Galaxy AI more than anything else, as most of the new features are related to Galaxy AI. Here are all the new Galaxy AI features you can expect from One UI 6.1.1.
Smart Sketch is a new feature that has caught a lot of attention. Using generative AI, Smart Sketch turns simple drawings into complex works of art in a snap.
This feature is pretty magical. You can create full-fledged drawings from rough sketches or add new objects to existing photos. Smart Sketch works surprisingly well! While Smart Sketch doesn't require the S Pen, it's clearly a must-have accessory for creating rough sketches in the first place.
AI Studio Portrait is another feature that works a lot like Smart Sketch. Using generative AI, AI Studio Portrait lets you turn a regular portrait into a stylized digital painting. The tool can transform portraits into 3D animations, watercolors, comics, and more.
For fans of Live Call Interpreter, Samsung says it now works with a few third-party apps besides Phone.
Samsung Keyboard’s Compose tool also supports the Email app and some social media apps. The Compose tool generates suggested text based on simple keywords. It can even mimic your voice by analyzing your previous posts.
On the productivity front, Samsung Notes adds the transcription, translation, and summary capabilities of the Voice Recorder app. So you can now use Samsung Notes to record your voice directly.
In terms of exclusive features for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, the Interpreter feature on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 adds an innovative dual-screen conversation mode. This new capability is inspired by Google’s Pixel Fold. On the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the Interpreter uses both screens to allow both parties to easily follow the translation on the main and secondary screens, creating more natural interactions.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 adds Suggested replies to messages. This feature analyzes the last seven messages in a conversation to suggest appropriate replies so you can send new messages on the 3.4” cover display without having to open the phone. It’s great to see Samsung looking at ways to make the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s 3.4” cover display more useful.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 also has a new Auto Zoom feature, which lets the FlexCam automatically suggest the best framing for your shot.
When will the new One UI 6.1.1 features come to more devices?
Samsung’s One UI x.1.1 is typically tailored for Galaxy tablets and foldable phones. I’m guessing One UI 6.1.1 will come to the premium Galaxy Tab and older Galaxy Z models this year. Either way, One UI 6.1.1 won’t be coming to regular phones.
Instead, most (if not all) of the latest Galaxy AI features introduced with One UI 6.1.1 will be released to some regular phones running One UI 6.1 via an update or One UI 7.0 in the future.