Samsung's Recent Software Update Equips Old Devices with Enhanced Photographic Functionalities
Samsung's Recent Software Update Equips Old Devices with Enhanced Photographic Functionalities
It's always a reason for joy when software updates roll out to Android users, and today, Samsung is sharing some impressive features from the Galaxy S22 series with its older flagship devices.
The brand revealed that One UI 4.1 would be progressively distributed to older models like the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S10, and even the legendary Galaxy Note 20. The foldable Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip also made the cut, as well as certain Galaxy A series smartphones and Tab S series tablets.
One UI 4.1 is packed with an array of camera-focused enhancements. This includes the addition of the Expert RAW mode, specifically for the S21 Ultra, which can be enabled by downloading it directly from the Galaxy Apps store. Samsung is also adopting its Object Eraser tool, functioning similar to Google Photos' Pixel Eraser. It allows users to select and eliminate individuals or objects from the photo.
The authentic Korean Samsung community forums provide detailed information on the camera features and which devices will receive specific updates. Enhanced Portrait mode is an excellent addition, allowing night portraits to be captured with the front camera and 1x lens on the rear camera of other Galaxy smartphones. Portrait mode will also cater to pets, ensuring that the background blur around their hair is perfect. If your Galaxy S device has a telephoto lens on the back, it will support the Portrait-based movie mode, enabling close-ups of distant subjects.
The upgrade improves the latest video recording interface. Videos recorded with the front and rear cameras will be saved in separate folders. Furthermore, you can play and edit videos simultaneously within the Samsung camera app—a smart move inspired by desktop video editing apps.
Beyond the camera app, One UI 4.1 offers various other feature updates. Older Galaxy devices will gain access to the Grammarly-powered keyboard found on the Galaxy S22, though navigating to the option in the Samsung Keyboard app may require some digging around. Photo sharing is more straightforward—photos shared will be automatically cropped and optimized before being sent to other apps, such as screenshots with unnecessary status details at the top. Additionally, you'll be among the first to experience Google Duo's Live Sharing functionality.
Samsung reports that the One UI 4.1 rollout has commenced in select markets, with the U.S. market anticipated to join the party in the forthcoming weeks. However, some individuals have already experienced the update on devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3.
The upcoming One UI 4.1 update is expected to leverage advanced tech, incorporating features like the Pixel Eraser for object elimination, which is similar to Google Photos' tool. Moving forward, users can anticipate the Galaxy S devices having enhanced Portrait mode capabilities, potentially including pets, and support for Portrait-based movie mode with telephoto lenses.