Firmware
Breaking: One UI 5.1.1 rolls out for Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3
Not too long ago, we saw the introduction of new software from the big Korean tech company, Samsung. They call it One UI 5.1.1. They unveiled it while showing off their new folding phones, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5, along with some big tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy Tab S9+, and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. With this new software, which is based on Android 13, Samsung wants to make the experience of using these folding devices with big screens much better.
Once they announced their plan to bring One UI 5.1.1 to a bunch of Galaxy devices, Samsung is usually good at keeping their promises, especially when it comes to updates. In fact, they’ve already started rolling out this new software for the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and Galaxy Tab S8 tablets.
One UI 5.1.1 update for Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3
Now the South Korean giant has started rolling out the One UI 5.1.1 update for Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 smartphone users. The update is currently available in Europe and the United States. The respective firmware versions are F926BXXU5FWH5 and F711BXXU6FWH3 for European units. On the other hand, the carrier-locked Galaxy Z Flip 3 is receiving the One UI 5.1.1 update on the US Cellular network with firmware version F711USQU5GWH3. At the same time, the devices benefit, thanks to the update in question, from the latest security fixes thanks to the August 2023 patches, with which Samsung takes care to solve 2 critical level, 50 high-grade, and 1 moderate-grade (CVE) vulnerabilities, as well as 19 EVS (Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures) specific to Galaxy devices.
Samsung phones that will grab Android 14 (One UI 6) as their first major OS update
The update for the new One UI version brings a bunch of cool stuff for devices with big screens. You can now easily drag and drop files using two hands, hide pop-up windows on one side, and quickly switch between pop-up view and multi-window mode for certain apps. They’ve also made the taskbar better, so you can see up to four recently used apps on the right side.
When you’re sharing stuff, there are new features too. You can now set a time limit for how long someone can see a file when you share it privately. And you can use Quick Share to send files to people even if they’re not on the same Wi-Fi network.
Even the photo editor that comes with Samsung phones has some new tricks. They replaced the sliders with dials that are easier to use. And if you like to customize your phone’s look, now you can change modes right from the lock screen and use more characters for the clock widget on the lock screen.
If you are the owner of a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, you should receive the notification soon regarding the availability of the One UI 5.1.1 update, but if you do not want to wait, you can manually download and install the update by following the path Settings -> Software Update -> Download and Install.
One UI 5.1.1 Update Changelog:
Multitasking
Better app previews on the Recents screen
The Recents screen now shows apps as they will appear after you open them. You can easily see if an app is opened in split screen, full screen, or as a pop-up.Easily switch from pop-up view to split screen
Press and hold the handle at the top of the pop-up window, then drag the app to the side of the screen where you want it to be shown.Restore pop-ups snapped to the edge of the screen
Drag an app in pop-up view to the edge of the screen to snap it to the edge and keep it out of the way. When you need it again, tap anywhere on the pop-up to bring it back to its previous location.Check minimized apps with the S Pen – [Only Z Fold]
Hover your S Pen above a floating app icon to see a preview of how the app will appear when you open it.Taskbar – [Only Z Fold]
More recent apps
You can now choose how many recently used apps to show on the taskbar (up to 4).Easier navigation
When fewer than 8 icons are shown on the taskbar, the navigation area will automatically resize to give you more space for the navigation buttons.Flex mode
Use the Flex mode panel with more apps
More apps can now be used with the Flex mode panel. When the Flex mode panel is turned on, just fold your phone upright and tap the button that appears on the navigation bar.Improved media controls
Buttons for skipping forward and backward 10 seconds are now available on the Flex mode panel. When you touch the time bar, the time you’ll move to will be shown to help you find the right moment.Customize the toolbar
Create your own personal layout to quickly access features like split screen view, screen capture, and more. Touch and hold an icon on the Flex mode panel toolbar to reorder the icons or move icons into or out of the toolbar.Quick Share
Share with contacts
You can now send files to your contacts anytime, even if they’re not near you.Share files privately
Protect private content when you share it. You can set expiration dates for the files you send, cancel sharing at any time, and prevent recipients from saving or resharing.Samsung Health
Improved sleep coaching
New coaching content and layouts make it easier to check your progress and build better sleeping habits. (Requires Galaxy Watch4 or newer)More meaningful sleep data
Screen layout and explanations have been enhanced to make it easier to check and understand each sleep factor. (Requires Galaxy Watch4 or newer)Measure your skin temperature during sleep
See how your skin temperature changes throughout the night to help you create a more comfortable sleep environment. (Requires Galaxy Watch5 or newer)Better workout summaries
New workout summaries help you focus on meaningful information from your exercise.Stay on track to meet your goals
Rewards, badges, and personal best records have been enhanced to keep you motivated and help you meet your health goals.Camera and Gallery
More date and time styles for watermarks
Customize the date and time separately with more style options to get the perfect look for your watermark.Enhanced Flex Mode layout for Pro modes – [Only Z Fold]
When your phone is folded upright, manual settings for Pro and Pro video modes will appear on the bottom of the screen so you can easily control ISO, shutter speed, and other settings.Select multiple pictures in Capture view – [Only Z Fold]
While using Capture view on the main screen, you can now press and hold to select multiple pictures. After selecting, you can share or delete them all at once.Enhanced remaster previews
Thumbnail images are now shown below the image you’re remastering. Tap a thumbnail to compare the remastered image to the original with a larger view.Apply effects more easily
Filter and tone effects in Gallery now use a dial instead of a slider making it easier to make precise adjustments with just one hand.Copy and paste effects
You can now copy and paste filters and tones from one picture you’ve edited to another.Additional changes
Drag and drop with two hands
Start dragging files, app icons, or other items with one hand, then use your other hand to navigate to the folder or location where you want to drop them. Supported in My Files and the Home screen.Continue using your phone while charging another device – [Only Z Fold]
Open your phone with the main screen facing down. You can charge your Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch, or another device using wireless power sharing on one side. At the same time, you can continue using your phone with the cover screen on the other side.Listen to Auracast broadcasts
Use your phone to find and listen to nearby Auracast broadcasts with your Galaxy Buds2 Pro or other devices that support Bluetooth LE Audio.Keep storage space available
When you’re running low on space in your internal storage, app cache information will be shown when you analyze storage in My Files. Clearing app caches can help you free up space without deleting files or apps.Enhanced memory management in Device care
More information is provided about apps using memory on your phone, giving you the option to put apps to sleep if too much memory is being used.Change your mode from the Lock screen
Change between Sleep mode, Driving mode, and other modes directly from the Lock screen.Customize your layout in Samsung Internet
When you choose to show the address bar at the bottom of the screen, the tab bar and bookmark bar will also be shown at the bottom.
The Samsung Galaxy AI feature has brought a revolution to Galaxy devices. With its introduction, the company has been successful in creating a strong image of innovation, and we have also seen the results where it has achieved record sales of its latest flagship devices, i.e., the Galaxy S24 series. Then, to provide these features to the older devices, it has expanded the One UI 6.1 update for other devices; however, the company has only provided two features for the devices released back in 2021.
Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, Fold 3, and Flip 4 have Circle to Search and Chat Assistant AI Features of One UI 6.1
Samsung has recently introduced the One UI 6.1 for older devices, including the Galaxy S21 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 3, and the Galaxy Z Flip 3. For these devices, the company has only introduced two Galaxy AI features in the form of Circle to Search and Chat Assistant.
Circle to search: The Circle to search feature allows users to instantly search for information about the images that appear on the screen with convenience. The circle-to-search works on the same principle as Google Lens, but to make it more appealing, the company has made accessing the feature simple. This means you can easily search the objects by incircle after pressing the home button or navigation bar.
Chat Assistant: Chat Assistant is another innovation that improves the user experience of conversation. The feature dedicatedly provides translation in 13 languages with Samsung’s original keyboard.
Meanwhile, other flagship Galaxy devices, which were launched in 2022 or later, have received several other Galaxy AI features, including browsing assistance, live call translation, note assistance, and many more. However, it may be possible that some of these Galaxy AI features may arrive for older devices in the next major update.
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Samsung has started expanding the One UI 6.1 update in the third phase for the older devices. Initially, it has rolled out the update for several Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S21, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Flip 3, and Galaxy Z Fold 3. However, the company hasn’t brought the update for the FE edition of the devices at the time. Fortunately, Galaxy S21 FE users also get a taste of One UI 6.1 features in the US.
Carrier-Locked Galaxy S21 FE gets One UI 6.1 update in the US
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is spotted receiving the update for the locked version in the US. More specifically, the update arrives on some carriers, including T-Mobile, MetroPCS, US Cellular, and Dish Wireless, with two different models with firmware version numbers G990USQUAGXDG and G990U2SQU8GXDE.
One UI 6.1 update without any Galaxy AI features
Samsung has brought the One 6.1 update with several features that offer customization related to the lock screen, alarm, calendar, and many more for the Galaxy S21 FE, but it hasn’t introduced the revolutionary innovations with the absence of Galaxy AI features, which has leveled up the user expertise in the field of providing convenience for the users. Even the Circle to Search feature available in the main Galaxy S21 series has not arrived for the fan edition.
Installation
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (locked) users in the US can now update the device to the latest version by following these steps: First, go to the settings, then tap on the software update menu. If it shows a new update available, tap on the download button. If the update hasn’t arrived on your device, don’t worry; it will be soon available for you.
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One UI 6.1 Changelog for Galaxy S21 FE
Create epic images
Effortlessly enhance your photos
Get special AI recommendations for enhancing your photos and videos. You’ll find options for adding star trails, colorizing, and more. Suggestions appear when you tap the i button in Gallery.
Copy and paste from one image to another
Add a missing element to your picture. Just clip an object from an image in Gallery, then go to the image where you want to paste it and choose Paste from clipboard in the More options menu.
More accurate image clipping
Get exactly the area you need to clip without any unwanted parts. When you clip an image in Gallery, you have the option of editing the selected area before you save it so you can get your selection just right.
Improved Gallery search
The search screen has been redesigned to make it easier to use. Results are now categorized by type, such as people, places, albums, or stories.
Change playback speed
More videos now support changing the playback speed when you edit a video in Gallery. You can make your video play faster or slower in a specific section that you select or for the entire video.
Edit videos on multiple devices
You can now continue your edits on your phone, tablet, or PC. Export your Studio projects to a file that can be opened on other Galaxy devices.
Customize your Galaxy
New wallpaper editing features
Decorate your wallpaper however you like. When you select an image to use as your wallpaper, you can now apply frames and effects. When your wallpaper includes a person or animal, you can apply depth effects to make the subject stand out from the background.
More widgets for your Lock screen
Additional widgets are available for your Lock screen so you can quickly check useful information without unlocking your phone. The new widgets include Weather, Samsung Health, Battery, Reminder, Calendar, and Clock.
Customize alarm alerts
Use an image, video, or AR emoji to create your own custom alert screens for each alarm. You can even change the layout of where the alarm information appears on the screen.
More stickers to personalize your calendar
You can now add up to 2 stickers for each date on your calendar. Stickers for events are now shown next to the event name in Month view.
Revamped Calendar settings
Calendar settings have been reorganized to be more intuitive. You can also set background colors and images for full-screen calendar alerts.
Customize reminder alerts
Create the right background for each of your reminders. You can now set colors and background images for full-screen reminder alerts.
Do more with reminder categories
You can now choose a representative icon for each reminder category. You can also pin categories you use frequently to the top of the category list.
Turn modes on or off from the Home screen
Turn modes on and off more quickly than before. The new Mode widget lets you add modes directly to your Home screen.
Reorder your modes
You can now change the order that modes are listed on the Modes tab in Modes and Routines.
New routine conditions
You can now start a routine when an alarm of your choice starts ringing or when Smart View connects or disconnects.
Relumino outline
Turn on Relumino outline in Accessibility settings to highlight the outlines of objects in images and videos to make them easier to distinguish for people with low vision.
Connect and share
Share with more devices
Quick Share has merged with Google’s Nearby Share. In addition to Galaxy devices, you can now share with other Android devices even without an internet connection.
Locate your devices
The new Samsung Find app lets you see where all your Galaxy devices are on a map any time. If you lose a device, additional features are available to help you find the device and protect your data.
Share your location with others
With Samsung Find, you can share your location with family, friends, or anyone that you trust. Share for a limited time or all the time. You’re always in control of who can see your location.
Sync Internet tab groups with other devices
Easily pick up where you left off during your last browsing session no matter which device you were using. Tab groups that you create on one device will appear in Samsung Internet on other Galaxy devices signed in to your Samsung account.
Protect your data
Enhanced data protection in Samsung Cloud
Rest assured that no one can access your data but you, even if there’s a data breach. You can turn on end-to-end encryption for data that’s synced with Samsung Cloud.
Fast and secure sign-ins with passkeys
Passkeys provide more security for web sign-ins without the need to remember complicated passwords. Use passkeys to sign in to supported websites with biometric authentication in Samsung Internet.
Manage your health
Enhanced exercise experience
Compete against your past running results in Samsung Health to try to beat your previous time. You can also crop exercises after you finish to remove any unnecessary time at the beginning or end.
More options for daily activity targets
You now have more options for setting your daily activity targets in Samsung Health. If a step goal doesn’t work for you, you can change to floors climbed or active hours instead.
Improved cycle tracking
When you record your physical symptoms and moods, options you’ve used frequently in the past will appear at the top of the screen. You can also now set custom moods if the default options don’t match how you’re feeling.
Even more improvements
More information in the Weather widget
The weather widget will let you know when severe thunderstorms, snowfall, or other precipitation is on the forecast in your local area.
Voice input without leaving the keyboard
The keyboard now remains visible while using voice input so you can easily switch back to typing whenever you need to. Tap the mic button at the bottom of the screen to enter text using your voice at any time while using the keyboard.
Open all minimized apps at once
A new button lets you reopen all of the minimized apps at once when you have more than one pop-up window minimized.
Google search suggestions in Finder
When you search using Finder, you’ll also get suggested web searches from Google.
More ways to protect your battery
Choose from 3 different protection options to help extend your battery’s lifespan. Basic protection keeps your charge between 95% and 100%. Adaptive protection pauses charging while you’re asleep and finishes charging just before you wake up. You can also choose to limit the maximum charge to 80% for maximum protection.
Firmware
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s May Update Bring Efficient Improvement In Battery Life & Overall Performance
Samsung started rolling out the May update for the Galaxy S24 smartphone in the US, Canada, and Europe. Now the reports point to significant improvements in battery life and overall performance.
After installing the May update on its Galaxy S24 Ultra device, a Reddit user shared his experience, stating that he noticed a dramatic increase in screen-on time. He elaborated on his experience by stating that before upgrading the update, he was getting 4-5 hours of screen-on time on his Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone. After upgrading, he noticed eight hours of screen-on time with 26% battery remaining.
Apart from the extended battery life, the Reddit user also mentioned a noticeable enhancement in overall performance and inconvenient issues such as app crashes, screen jitters, and slowdowns while multitasking is not appearing, which resulted in flawless functionality and seamless performance.
A user shared the Reddit post on X and stated, “It feels like a brand new phone for him.”
This report is increasing the excitement among Galaxy S24 Ultra users for grabbing the latest May update as it improves battery life and smoother performance. It appears the Galaxy S24 Ultra May update is well-received by users who installed it, with improvements in battery life, performance, and overall stability. However, at the moment, the update is available in limited regions only, but it is expected that soon the brand will expand the update to more regions.
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