Samsung One UI 6.1 update skips Galaxy AI features on some older flagships

Samsung’s latest software update, One UI 6.1, has been a cause for both celebration and confusion for Galaxy phone and tablet owners.

While the update brings a fresh coat of paint and some new features to a wide range of devices, the marquee addition — a suite of AI-powered tools called Galaxy AI — is missing from some older flagships.

The update first landed on the Galaxy S24 Series, boasting impressive generative AI features. Samsung then rolled it out to the 2023 flagships (Galaxy S23 Series, FEs, Folds, Flips, and Tabs) with the full AI package in tow.

Finally, the One UI 6.1 update reached the Galaxy S22, S21, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, Z Fold 3, and Z Flip 3. Here’s the catch: only the S22, Z Fold 4, and Z Flip 4 get the full Galaxy AI treatment. The S21, Z Fold 3, and Z Flip 3 are left with just a single AI feature, Circle to Search 11 by Google.

The reasoning behind this selective rollout remains unclear. It could be a processing power or memory limitation on the older devices, or perhaps a strategic decision by Samsung to incentivize upgrades.

After all, offering cutting-edge AI features on older flagships might dampen the desire to buy the latest and greatest Galaxy phones.

This move leaves Galaxy S21, Z Fold 3, and Z Flip 3 owners with a slightly sour taste. While they get some improvements with One UI 6.1, the exclusion of the headline-grabbing Galaxy AI features feels like a missed opportunity.