One UI 6.1: Release date, confirmed features, and device compatibility

Samsung’s One UI has come a long way over the years and has quickly become one of the most popular Android skins. The One UI 6 update based on Android 14 was largely about refining Samsung’s formula as opposed to introducing major new features. In our experience, there’s plenty to like about this iteration of Samsung’s software but now it’s getting even better with the introduction of One UI 6.1. Here’s everything we know about the One UI 6.1 release date, features, and compatibility.

One UI 6.1 release date

Samsung officially released the One UI 6 stable build on October 30, 2023, for the Galaxy S23 series. It first began arriving on Galaxy S23 devices in the US on November 10, 2023, with the version numbers S916USQU1BWK4 and S916UOYN1BWK4. The update is based on One UI Beta 9, which means it got little improvements after the final beta build.

As for the One UI 6.1 stable release date? You can expect it to arrive with the Galaxy S24 family on January 31. No firm dates on when it’ll arrive on other Samsung phones outside of a promise of H1 2024. The company is usually fairly prompt with updates compared to other OEMs so we imagine it won’t be long before it arrives to at least the Galaxy S23 family.

Is there a One UI 6 beta?

The One UI 6 beta program has been available for a while now, with as many as nine total betas out the door. The beta program is available for the following devices:

• Samsung Galaxy S23
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A53
• Samsung Galaxy A52
• Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A24
• Samsung Galaxy A23
• Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
• Samsung Galaxy M23 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S22 (South Korea only)
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

As for how to install it? You’ll first need to download the Samsung Members application from the Galaxy Store or Google Play. Once you log in, you’ll see an option in the home banner or notices page that says Registration for One UI Beta Program. Once complete, go to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install. If the beta is available for your device and in your region, Samsung will fetch the latest version of the beta for your device.

One UI 6+ features

One UI 6 introduced several new features on top of the standard Android 14 additions, including a new font and simpler icon labels. There were also a few new widgets expected with the update, including a new weather insights widget and a camera widget that serves as a dedicated shortcut for user-preset camera modes. Beyond this, you can expect:

• A more customizable onscreen experience with the ability to change fonts and the general layout.
• The Quick Settings panel is getting an overhaul. Highlights include a new row for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, as well as a few other additions to the menu for eye comfort and dark mode.
• The notification panel is also getting a few tweaks, including the ability to get individual notifications as separate cards.
• The app drawer now lets you search for app-specific long-press functions.
• There’s a new emoji style in the Samsung keyboard.
• Improvements to the gallery app and its built-in photo editor, camera app, the weather app, and more.

Now, let’s turn our attention to One UI 6.1. In addition to all the small security tweaks and bug fixes you might expect, 6.1 also brings a major new feature in the form of Galaxy AI. This is a catch-all term for a suite of AI-based tools and features that are first debuting with the Galaxy S24 series.

Some of these features will only support the S24 or newer but Samsung has confirmed many of the AI features will be supported on the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Fold 5, and Flip 5. Even the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series will get in on the AI action. You can expect the update to arrive on more devices in H1 2024.

While there are AI features that require the cloud, several work completely on-device. Some of the biggest on-device features include Live Translate, Interpreter, Chat Assist, Transcript Assist, Note Assist, and Browsing Assist. Most of these are pretty self-explanatory as the features are all about translating, transcribing, or just providing general help. An example of a cloud-dependent feature would be Circle to Search. This Google-created feature allows you to use Google Search to find more information on things you are viewing on your phone.

You can learn even more about the new Galaxy AI features and other changes in our One UI 6.1 features guide.

One UI 6+ compatibility

The One UI 6 update is currently available only on the Galaxy S23 series but will eventually arrive on every Galaxy S handset from the S21 onward, including all Plus and Ultra variants. You’ll also be able to get it on the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 or higher. It’s also available for the Galaxy Tab S7 FE, Galaxy Tab S8 series, and Galaxy Tab S9 series. Even many budget Samsung phones will see the update, including a variety of members across the M series, F series, and A series.

Follow the link to see a full list of devices eligible for One UI 6.

As for Android 6.1? Samsung has suggested it will roll out to more devices outside of the Galaxy S24 series in the first half of 2024, which gives them a pretty wide window. It’s very likely to follow One UI 6’s example and release to the S23 series sooner rather than later, with other phones trailing in the following months.