How to Use AI Features on Samsung Galaxy Devices
To use AI features on Samsung Galaxy devices, you must first ensure your device is running One UI 6.1 or later and that "Galaxy AI" is enabled under Settings > Advanced Features > Advanced Intelligence. Once activated, you can access tools like Circle to Search by long-pressing the home button, trigger Live Translate during phone calls via the "Call Assist" menu, and utilize Generative Edit in the Gallery app by tapping the teal Galaxy AI icon. These features rely on a hybrid of on-device processing for privacy and cloud-based Large Language Models (LLMs) for complex tasks.
The release of the Galaxy S24 series marked a paradigm shift for Samsung, transitioning from a hardware-first focus to an "AI-Phone" era. This suite of tools, collectively known as Galaxy AI, is not merely a collection of gimmicks but a fundamental integration of machine learning and generative artificial intelligence into the core operating system. By understanding the underlying mechanisms of these features, users can significantly enhance their workflows, communication, and creative outputs.
The Architecture of Galaxy AI: On-Device vs. Cloud
Before diving into specific features, it is crucial to understand the "how" behind Samsung's AI implementation. Galaxy AI operates on a hybrid model. According to Samsung’s technical documentation, this approach balances performance, privacy, and speed.
1. On-Device AI: Tasks like "Live Translate" for voice calls are processed locally on the device’s NPU (Neural Processing Unit). This ensures low latency and keeps sensitive conversational data off external servers.
2. Cloud-Based AI: More intensive generative tasks, such as "Generative Edit" for photos or complex "Note Assist" summarizations, utilize Google’s Gemini Pro and Imagen 2 models via the cloud.
Users can control this balance by navigating to Settings > Advanced Features > Advanced Intelligence and toggling "Process data only on device," though this may limit the functionality of some generative features.
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Revolutionizing Search: How to Use Circle to Search
Circle to Search is perhaps the most intuitive AI feature on Samsung devices, developed in close collaboration with Google. It eliminates the need to switch apps or take screenshots to perform a visual search.
How to Activate and Use It:
Activation:** Long-press the *Home button
(or the navigation handle if using gesture navigation).- Action: Once the screen gets a subtle blue shimmer, use your finger or S Pen to circle, highlight, or tap any object on the screen.
- Result: A Google Search overlay appears with information about the object, including shopping links, related articles, or identification of landmarks.
The Mechanism of Information Gain:
Unlike traditional Google Lens, which requires an image file, Circle to Search uses a "screen-overlay" layer that analyzes the pixels currently displayed. It leverages multi-modal search capabilities, meaning you can add text queries after circling an object—for example, circling a plant and typing "how to water" to get specific care instructions.
Breaking Language Barriers: Live Translate and Interpreter
Samsung’s communication AI focuses on real-time natural language processing (NLP). These tools are indispensable for international business or travel.
Live Translate for Phone Calls
This feature provides two-way, real-time voice and text translations during phone calls.
How to use:** During an active call, tap **Call Assist** and then select *Live Translate
.- Why it’s unique: It works even if the person on the other end is using a landline or a non-Samsung device. The AI processes the audio, translates it, and speaks it back in the target language using a synthetic voice.
Interpreter Mode
For face-to-face conversations, the Interpreter mode splits the screen into two halves.
How to use:** Swipe down the **Quick Settings** panel and tap *Interpreter
.- The Impact: It allows two people to speak naturally. The device listens, translates, and displays the text for the other person to read while playing the audio. On foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold6, the "Flex Mode" allows the translation to appear on the cover screen for the other person to see while you view your own side on the main screen.
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Productivity at Scale: Note Assist and Transcript Assist
For professionals and students, Samsung’s AI features in the Notes and Voice Recorder apps provide massive "Information Gain" by distilling long-form content into actionable insights.
Using Note Assist in Samsung Notes
Note Assist uses LLMs to organize messy handwriting or long blocks of text.
- Auto Format: It takes unstructured notes and applies headers, bullet points, and bold text for readability.
- Summarize: It generates a concise summary of the entire note, highlighting key takeaways.
- Correct Spelling: It goes beyond basic spellcheck, using context to suggest better phrasing and grammar.
Transcript Assist in Voice Recorder
If you record a meeting or a lecture, Transcript Assist can identify up to 10 different speakers and transcribe the audio with high accuracy.
How to use:** Open a recording in the **Voice Recorder** app and tap *Transcribe
.The Power of RAG:** Once transcribed, you can tap the *Summary
tab. The AI uses a process similar to Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to look through the transcript and provide a structured summary and a list of "Action Items."Creative Mastery: Generative Edit and Instant Slow-Mo
Samsung’s Gallery app has been transformed by generative AI, allowing users to manipulate reality in ways that previously required professional software like Photoshop.
How to Use Generative Edit
Step 1:** Open a photo in the **Gallery** and tap the *Edit (pencil)
icon.Step 2:** Tap the *Galaxy AI (stars)
icon.- Step 3: Tap or circle an object you want to move, resize, or delete.
- Step 4: Long-press the selected object to drag it to a new location or tap the eraser icon to remove it.
Step 5:** Tap *Generate
. The AI will fill in the missing background pixels (in-painting) or expand the edges of the photo (out-painting).Instant Slow-Mo
This feature uses AI frame interpolation to turn any standard video into a slow-motion masterpiece.
- Mechanism: When you long-press a video during playback, the AI generates intermediate frames based on motion vectors between existing frames. This allows a 30fps video to look like a smooth 120fps slow-motion clip.
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Refining Your Tone: Chat Assist
Writing on a mobile device often leads to misunderstandings in tone. Samsung’s Chat Assist, integrated into the Samsung Keyboard, solves this by offering real-time stylistic adjustments.
Key Functionalities:
1. Chat Translation: Translates incoming and outgoing messages within apps like WhatsApp or Instagram.
2. Writing Style: You can type a draft and then tap the Galaxy AI icon on the keyboard to see the message rewritten in "Professional," "Casual," "Polite," or "Social" (complete with hashtags) tones.
3. Spelling and Grammar: A comprehensive check that ensures your message is linguistically sound before you hit send.
Privacy, Security, and Ethics
A major concern with AI is the handling of personal data. Samsung addresses this through Samsung Knox, its defense-grade security platform.
Critical Data Safeguards:
- Watermarking: Any image edited with Generative Edit will have a visible "Galaxy AI" watermark in the corner and specific metadata embedded to indicate it was AI-modified. This aligns with industry standards for ethical AI use (Reference: Adobe Content Authenticity Initiative).
- Opt-in Cloud Processing: As mentioned, users can restrict AI to on-device only, though this disables features like "Summarize" or "Generative Edit" which require the vast parameters of cloud-based models.
How to Get Galaxy AI on Older Devices
Initially exclusive to the S24, Samsung has expanded these features to older hardware via the One UI 6.1 update.
Supported Devices (as of late 2024):
- Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, and S23 FE.
- Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5.
- Galaxy Tab S9, S9+, and S9 Ultra.
- Galaxy S22 series and Z Fold/Flip 4 (limited features).
To check if your device is eligible, go to Settings > Software Update > Download and install. Once updated, the "Advanced Intelligence" menu will appear in your settings.
Conclusion
Using AI features on Samsung is more than just learning new buttons; it is about adopting a more efficient way to interact with information and the world around you. By mastering Circle to Search*, you shorten the distance between curiosity and knowledge. By utilizing **Live Translate** and **Chat Assist**, you remove the friction of global communication. And through *Generative Edit, you gain creative control over your memories.
As AI continues to evolve, the "Information Gain" provided by these tools will only increase, making the smartphone not just a portal to the internet, but a proactive assistant that anticipates and fulfills complex digital tasks. To get the most out of your Samsung device, regularly explore the "Tips" app on your phone, as Samsung frequently updates the Galaxy AI suite with new capabilities via monthly patches.