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First Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra update to improve camera, One UI 6.1 for Galaxy S23 earlier than expected

The first update for the Galaxy S24 series will improve the camera, according to a leaker. One UI 6.1 for Galaxy S23 and co. is set to arrive in March. (Image: Samsung)
The first update for the Galaxy S24 series will improve the camera, according to a leaker. One UI 6.1 for Galaxy S23 and co. is set to arrive in March. (Image: Samsung)
Everyone is waiting for an update. While new Galaxy S24, S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra buyers are eagerly awaiting the improvements that the first firmware update will bring, owners of the predecessors are waiting for One UI 6.1, which will primarily retrofit many of the new Galaxy AI functions. Leakers are now providing new information on both software updates.

We are all more or less trapped in the update loop since software often determines the functionality of our mobile companions more than the hardware itself. The Galaxy S24 series, which has been widely available since the beginning of the month at the latest, has yet to receive an update. The launch update that was rumored shortly after the unpacked event, which was supposed to improve the camera quality in particular, did not come in the end. Now there is renewed talk of improvements to the camera with the first firmware update, once again from the often well-informed Chinese leaker Ice Universe.

He recently posted several times on X (formerly Twitter) on the topic and specifically mentioned two areas of improvement for the Galaxy S24 series in the first update, especially for the top model Galaxy S24 Ultra (available here on Amazon). It should come as no surprise to anyone that the brand-new 50-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical and 10x crop zoom will be the first to benefit from better-optimized software. The images that the leaker published with his post give hope for sharper zoom shots in particular, as Samsung clearly still has some catching up to do here.

Trick for sharper zoom shots

A few days ago, the leaker posted a "trick" on how to get sharper zoom shots on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. At least according to his analyses, Samsung's AI zoom algorithm is currently better optimized for magnifications below 10x, i.e. 9x or 8x. Pictures taken directly with the 10x button show more noise in his examples, at least in these low-light shots. Obviously, Samsung still has potential for optimization via software.

Better HDR shots

Another field of activity for Samsung technicians is HDR photos and the first firmware update for the Galaxy S24 series should also bring improvements here, the leaker emphasized. Most recently, there was talk of a new display option in the first firmware update for the Galaxy S24.

One UI 6.1 on Galaxy S23 already in March?

Anyone who is still using their Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 Ultra should also soon benefit from a powerful update. At least according to X user Bennet Buhner (see below), who was able to tell us a lot about One UI 6.1 in the run-up to the Galaxy S24 launch event, Samsung is already planning to release the latest OneUI version in March. To date, there has only been talk of a One UI 6.1 rollout in the first half of the year, although it should be noted that a distribution in March has not yet been officially confirmed.

In addition to improvements to animations and new features in the settings (such as the extended battery options), the new One UI update will above all upgrade many Galaxy AI features. Samsung has already confirmed at least four of the AI functions for the Galaxy S23 series, but it remains to be seen whether more of them will ultimately end up on the Samsung flagships of 2023. Samsung has also confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip5, and Galaxy Tab S9 tablets will also receive Galaxy Ai features. 

Source(s)

Ice Universe (1, 2, 3), @BennettBuhner

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 02 > First Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra update to improve camera, One UI 6.1 for Galaxy S23 earlier than expected
Alexander Fagot, 2024-02-13 (Update: 2024-02-13)