Samsung’s One UI 6.1 update is widely expected to bring the Samsung Galaxy S24 line’s Galaxy AI features to older Samsung phones sometime this month, and we’re now hearing that another Galaxy S24 feature could be about to make the generational jump.
As spotted by SamMobile, the Galaxy S24’s newer version of One UI Home – which offers smoother animations when opening and closing applications, and all but eliminates frame rate drops – is present and correct in the soon-to-be-widely-available variant of One UI 6.1.
Existing versions of One UI Home are prone to stuttering when apps are opened and closed in quick succession, but it sounds like One UI 6.1 could be about to fix this issue for previous-generation Samsung devices including the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5.
SamMobile notes that this updated version of One UI Home – which the publication was able to freely install on older Samsung devices via an APK (Android Package Kit file format) file – worked seamlessly on a Galaxy S23 when tested, so there’s no reason to think that all of those aforementioned phones won’t also benefit from similar performance enhancement.
APK files can be downloaded through third-party websites, but we’d recommend waiting until Samsung rolls out One UI 6.1 to older devices officially before taking this new version of One UI Home for a spin.
As for when that might be, Samsung itself has confirmed that One UI 6.1 will begin rolling out “within the first half of the year”, but leakers have since predicted its arrival at some point between March 11–13, or March 18–20. In other words: expect One UI 6.1 very soon.
Galaxy AI for Galaxy S23 series coming next month!Next month is the deadline for the addition of One UI 6.1 and Galaxy AI, which will add many new features and improvements! - Vastly improved animations - Many new Galaxy AI features - New lock screen customization features… pic.twitter.com/Fc0VCI3YCQFebruary 11, 2024
As regards the other features set to arrive with One UI 6.1, leading the charge are highly-publicized Galaxy S24 tools like Circle to Search, which has so far proven extremely helpful to Galaxy S24 owners. But some lesser-known features, like Instant Slow-Mo, are also set to debut on older Samsung phones thanks to One UI 6.1.
These AI-based features won't make it as far as the Galaxy S22 line, but One UI 6.1 will introduce lock screen widgets, improved Quick Share functionality, and better battery protection settings to all of those aforementioned Samsung phones. For a detailed look at what to expect, check out our best One UI 6.1 features article.
