My top five favourite AI features on Galaxy S23 Ultra

An overview of the top five Galaxy AI features available on the Samsung Galaxy S23 series after the OneUI 6.1 update.

A candy-bar style Android flagship (Express Photo)

5 min readBengaluruApr 7, 2024 08:12 AM IST First published on: Apr 2, 2024 at 03:55 PM IST

Galaxy AI features are no longer limited to Samsung’s latest Galaxy S24 series of smartphones. With the rollout of the OneUI 6.1 update on March 28, Samsung has introduced these AI features and experiences to the previous generation flagships such as the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Flip/Fold5, and Galaxy Tab S9 series.

I have been testing the new AI features on the Galaxy S23 Ultra (review), and here are the top five Galaxy AI features that actually make a difference in my experience:

Also read | Samsung Galaxy AI: What is it and how does it work?

Google’s Circle to Search

Circle to search makes web search a fun process (Express Photo)

Circle to Search fundamentally changes the way we use Google search. Currently available for a handful of Pixel and Galaxy smartphones, it allows users to search the web for text and images without leaving the app they are currently using. During my testing, I found out that Circle to Search works best when there is a non-human subject, and you can easily get information about a special product or look for a similar product by just circling around it. On the Galaxy S23 Ultra, I was able to do the same using the S-Pen, which adds another dimension to web searching on mobile. The updated Circle to Search on the Galaxy S23 series now supports real-time translation.

AI wallpaper generator

Use fresh new wallpapers every day (Express Photo)

While some users won’t even bother to change the default wallpaper on their smartphones, I am someone who is always on the lookout for new wallpapers. With the generative AI-powered wallpaper creator, it gets a lot easier to find new wallpapers on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. However, this has certain restrictions, as there is no option to use a fully custom text prompt, and one has to pick and choose from the predefined options. While it can generate creative wallpapers, I felt that most of these wallpapers look pixelated with an AI-generated look, which is very evident on the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s sharp 2K resolution display.

AI image editor

The ability to edit images on smartphones like never before (Express Photo)

The built-in image editor on the Galaxy S23 Ultra can now help you edit your images to make them look perfect. From erasing a subject in the background to generating/extending the background, it can do a lot more than a typical photo editor. While these images look fine from a distance, when you zoom in, it becomes very clear that these are AI-edited images. When modifying an image using generative editing, Samsung will also add a watermark to indicate that the image has been retouched using AI.

Spelling and grammar checker

Professional sounding texts at your fingertips (Express Photo)

To use this feature, I have to replace the Google Keyboard with a Samsung Keyboard, where, with just a single click, I can check the spelling and grammar of the text. This works very well for the English language. You can also use the writing style changer option; however, in most cases, it would make my texts sound more serious, and also, it is often quite obvious that the texts have been AI-generated. This feature is useful when you are trying to draft a professional message; however, if you are drafting a message to a friend or a family member, it might not be of much use.

Format and summarise text on the Notes app

The one note app that can do it all (Express Photo)

I do take a lot of notes for both personal and work-related tasks, and the AI-infused Samsung Notes app made my life a lot easier, as it helps me correct spellings, summarise big paragraphs, and even translate text to another language with a single click. This is definitely one of the best AI features that can help boost productivity.

These AI features, along with a few others such as web page summary, interpreter, voice recording transcription, and more, are currently available on the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 series of smartphones for free, which will remain free until 2025. These new AI capabilities on Samsung phones add a new dimension to what we can do on a smartphone.