While we may not be living in a future with flying cars or massive Gundams (yet), we are certainly living in a future where artificial intelligence is slowly taking over our everyday lives.
We don’t have to worry about an impending invasion of evil robots, though.
Instead, it seems that artificial intelligence will soon be assisting us through our smartphones, especially with the release of Samsung’s Galaxy S24.
If you’re a tech dinosaur like me, here’s everything you need to know about Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung’s first true AI smartphone.
Samsung Announces Launch of Galaxy S24 Series, Introduces Galaxy AI Features
On 18 January 2024, Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24, a suite of new smartphones that come equipped with new Galaxy AI features.
For those new to generative artificial intelligence like Galaxy AI, it’s a form of AI that’s used to synthesise new and original forms of content. (Think ChatGPT or even the notorious Lawrence Wong Deepfake)
The S24 series is the first of its kind to use generative AI technology, with the help of Qualcomm’s powerful 8-gen 3 Snapdragon processors and the expansive database services that come with Google Cloud.
This means that Samsung’s AI smartphone is able to possess some one-of-a-kind features that even Apple smartphones might not be able to perform.
Overcoming Language Barriers
One key highlight of Galaxy S24 is its Interpreter feature, which is sure to strike a chord with most vacationers out there.
You no longer have to worry about making conversation with fast-talking locals or asking for directions when travelling abroad, as Galaxy S24 is able to provide an instantly translated transcript of your questions for the other party to understand (and vice-versa).
@hwztech Conversations are private, because its not processed in the cloud. #galaxyunpacked #samsungunpacked #galaxyai #galaxys24series ♬ original sound – HardwareZone
If you’re having a phone call with an exchange student who speaks another language, or if you’re trying to reserve seats at a restaurant in a foreign language while travelling, Galaxy S24 also has a Live Translate feature that provides real-time voice and text translations of phone calls.
Google Translate is so yesterday.
This allows both parties to speak in their native languages while being able to understand each other.
@hwztech You can now reserve Michelin-starred foreign restaurants with the help of a two-way translator! #galaxyunpacked #samsungunpacked #galaxyai #galaxys24series ♬ original sound – HardwareZone
(Since my Chinese-speaking skills have gotten pretty rusty, I might have to use the Interpreter function with my relatives this Chinese New Year)
Samsung Introduces Circle-to-Search Function
The charm of Samsung’s AI smartphone doesn’t stop there.
Let’s say you’re scrolling Pinterest, TikTok, or Instagram when you come across an outfit, handbag or piece of furniture that you’d want to purchase for yourself.
There’s just one problem: you have no idea which brands or manufacturers these items belong to.
Luckily, Galaxy S24 has a Circle-to-Search Function that can save you hours of Googling descriptions, searching through catalogues, or cropping photos to fit into Google Image Search.
All you need to do is hold down the Home Button and circle the item of your choice, and the related search results you need should pop up instantly.
Galaxy AI’s Note Assist Feature and Galaxy AI Editing Tools
Galaxy S24 can also come in handy in work-based situations.
For example, if you need to send a formal text or email to your higher-ups at work, the Chat Assist feature can help ensure that the tone of your messages remains as polite as possible.
If you’re working with business partners from other countries, Galaxy AI can also help translate your messages into 13 different languages.
If you’re the kind of person who takes down copious amounts of notes on your phone, the Note Assist feature can help you reformat long strings of text into something concise and easy to read.
This feature can also summarise big chunks and paragraphs to help you understand any readings, journals or meeting notes you might encounter at work.
For avid photographers out there, you’re also in luck.
Instead of going through hours of post-processing using expensive image-editing software, Galaxy S24 contains Galaxy AI editing tools that can provide automatic suggestions to spruce up your photos.
If your photos look a little crooked, or if something looks missing, generative AI can help fill in the borders and parts of an image’s background without the need for Photoshop.
@hwztech Generative Edit using Galaxy AI #galaxyunpacked #samsungunpacked #galaxyai #galaxys24series ♬ original sound – HardwareZone
Galaxy AI to Be Added to Older Samsung Models, Only Free For Two Years
If you currently own older Samsung models such as those from the Galaxy S23 series, or if you own Samsung’s foldable Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z phones, you can expect to see some of Galaxy AI’s features in future updates.
Don’t be too quick to celebrate, though. According to Samsung, Galaxy AI features will only be free to use until the end of 2025.
It might be time to ask whether newfangled AI technology is worth the price.