This philosophy is reflected even more strongly in One UI 8, launched alongside the latest Galaxy Z series. The update enhances hearing accessibility features, enabling smoother communication even in challenging listening environments.

To learn more about how these improvements came to life, Samsung Newsroom spoke with Soohyun Lee from Experience Planning Group1 of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, along with Samsung Supporters Hajung Kim and Wansu Kim, who collaborated with Lee to bring more accessibility features to One UI 8.

▲ (From left) Wansu Kim and Hajung Kim with Soohyun Lee

Real Voices, Real Change: Samsung Supporters Inspire Inclusive Features

The hearing accessibility features in One UI 8 draw on the real-life experiences and feedback of Samsung Supporters. Currently active in Korea and the United Kingdom, the Samsung Supporters program invites users with diverse accessibility needs — including vision, hearing and mobility — to propose accessibility-related ideas directly to Samsung. It played a key role in developing the new hearing accessibility features in One UI 8, with Samsung Supporters Hajung Kim and Wansu Kim, both of whom are hard of hearing, contributing their experiences and ideas.

“We listen closely to the valuable feedback from our Supporters about inconveniences and other challenges that traditional desk research might overlook,” explained Lee, who manages the Samsung Supporters program. “We then incorporate those insights to improve our products and services.”

“We communicate with the Supporters in real time on a daily basis, while also conducting online surveys and in-depth offline interviews to carefully analyze issues and review solutions,” she continued. “Samsung Supporters are part of the entire process — from planning to testing and refinement.”

▲ Soohyun Lee from Experience Planning Group1 of the MX Business

Features directly proposed by Samsung Supporters — such as Interpreter using keyboard and Real-Time Text calls — were brought to life in One UI 8. “After experiencing Galaxy products firsthand as a hard-of-hearing user, I suggested specific improvements regarding certain features,” said Wansu Kim, an international sign language educator. “Knowing that even a small change can make someone’s daily life much more convenient, I focused on ideas that people would truly need and be able to use with ease.”

Content creator and writer Hajung Kim collaborated with Wansu Kim to produce a video introducing One UI 8’s hearing accessibility features. “We wanted the changes we suggested to seamlessly blend into the everyday lives of more people, so I planned the video from the perspective of a real user,” said Hajung Kim with pride.

▲ (From left) Samsung Supporters Hajung Kim and Wansu Kim use the new accessibility features applied to One UI 8.

‘Breaking Language Barriers With a Keyboard’ — Samsung Supporters’ Pick ①: Interpreter Using Keyboard

Starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy AI’s translation capabilities have already proven to be a reliable companion for overcoming language barriers. However, its voice-based format had limitations in certain situations — for example, when the speaker’s pronunciation was unclear or when the surrounding environment was noisy.

With One UI 8, Samsung enhanced Interpreter[1] in a way that helps users communicate more naturally across languages through text typed on the keyboard. When a user types a sentence in their own language, the device instantly generates a real-time translation[2] in both text and speech. The screen then displays two sections — one showing the user’s original text and the other the translation for their conversation partner — enabling smooth two-way communication.

▲ Soohyun Lee introduces the Interpreter using keyboard feature.

“Our focus was on creating a seamless, uninterrupted conversation experience,” said Lee. “To reflect real usage patterns and refine the feature, we made typed sentences remain visible even after translation for easy editing and added an option to quickly delete the entire sentence with just one tap when users want to start a new one.”

▲ Wansu Kim demonstrates the Interpreter using keyboard feature.

“I love traveling with my family, but since both my parents and I are hard of hearing, communication has always been a big challenge — especially when traveling abroad,” said Wansu Kim. “On a recent trip, Interpreter using keyboard allowed me to converse freely with people using different languages, making everything so much easier. Now, I can solely focus on the excitement of traveling without concerns about language barriers.”

“Elevators were originally designed for wheelchair users, but today everyone benefits from them,” he added. “In the same way, Interpreter using keyboard can be used by anyone in situations where it’s difficult to talk. Accessibility isn’t only for people with physical limitations — it’s an opportunity for everyone.”

‘Don’t Miss a Word During a Call’ — Samsung Supporters’ Pick ②: Real-Time Call Captions

For users with hearing aids or cochlear implants, phone calls can still cause anxiety. It’s easy to miss parts of the conversation and difficult to jot down important details while talking. To ease this burden, One UI 8 introduces Real-Time Call Captions.[3]

By tapping the speech bubble icon on the right side of the call screen, the speech of both the caller and receiver are transcribed and displayed in real time. “I used to feel nervous whenever I needed to make a hospital appointment or talk with a bank representative on the phone because it was so important to understand every detail,” said Hajung Kim. “Now, with captions, I can instantly catch any words or sentences I might have missed, which makes me feel much more at ease. It’s not just a tool that converts voice into text — it’s a safety net that helps me follow the conversation and communicate more freely.”

▲ Hajung Kim uses the Real-Time Call Captions feature during a phone call.

The feature assists users during everyday phone calls with friends and family as well. “Before, I often had to ask my grandparents to repeat themselves because I couldn’t clearly understand their pronunciation,” Hajung Kim said. “I often worried that going through this process again and again would tire them out, especially during longer calls. But with Real-Time Call Captions, I can now read my grandmother’s words on the screen instantly, allowing the conversation to flow without interruption.”

“A short phone call can brighten an entire day, making this feature truly invaluable to my family,” she added.

‘Instant Conversations, No Waiting Required’ — Samsung Supporters’ Pick ③: Real-Time Text Calls

The accessibility feature Wansu Kim uses most frequently is Real-Time Text calls,[4] which allows users to communicate in text during a call, as though they’re exchanging messages. In earlier versions, the text of the other person’s speech appeared only after they finished speaking. This was particularly inconvenient during automated response system (ARS) calls with banks, telecommunications providers or credit card companies, when the input time often expired before users could read the instructions on their screens.

Now with One UI 8, however, Real-Time Text calls display text the moment the other person begins speaking, allowing users to follow along and prepare responses without delay. “Even during personal calls, being able to see what the other person is saying in real time makes me feel much closer to them,” said Wansu Kim.

▲ Wansu Kim uses the Real-Time Text calls feature during a phone call.

“In the past, there were always slight pauses during text calls with the Supporters — it sometimes felt like playing a game of guessing each other’s timing,” Lee said. “Those experiences showed us that timing is the most crucial part of a phone call. By making text appear in real time — without waiting for the other person to finish speaking — we introduced a key improvement. Even a few seconds can make a big difference, and seamless timing helps bring people closer together.”

Making Accessibility a Given for Everyone

What does the future of accessibility envisioned by Samsung Electronics and Samsung Supporters look like?

“Accessibility isn’t a matter of special consideration — it’s something that everyone deserves and should enjoy,” Lee said. “Our goal is to create experiences that more people, across various environments, can access and benefit from without inconvenience at any time.” She added that the journey toward greater accessibility has been a joyful one, made possible thanks to those who understand the need for change and continue to offer their encouragement and support.

For Wansu Kim, accessibility means freedom. “To me, hearing accessibility is freedom,” he said. “Through my work with Samsung Supporters, I want to help ensure the voices of people like me are heard more clearly and contribute to a world where everyone can communicate freely.”

“Accessibility is a bridge that not only connects people physically but also links their hearts,” Hajung Kim added. “Beyond simply reducing inconvenience, I want to help build a world where technology becomes a source of confidence and empowerment for all.”

The accessibility features in One UI 8 — co-created and presented by Samsung Supporters — can be explored in detail in the video below.

For more information on One UI 8, please visit https://news.samsung.com/my/.

Until 30^th September, purchase the Samsung Galaxy Z Series to experience these accessibility features and enjoy a double storage upgrade worth RM600.

To buy the latest Galaxy Z Series, please visit https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-z/

[1] Interpreter requires Samsung account login. Certain languages may require language pack download. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Availability and supported features may vary by country, region or carrier. Availability of supported languages may vary. Visit Galaxy AI page at samsung.com for details.

[2] Speed may vary depending on device and network connection.

[3] Feature availability may vary by country, language and device model. Speed may vary depending on network connection. Feature and UI are subject to change without notice.

[4] Feature availability may vary by country, language and device model. Speed may vary depending on network connection. Feature and UI are subject to change without notice.

[5] While stocks last. Terms and conditions apply.

But just as panic starts to set in, a wave of relief washes over you—because you’ve got the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE in your pocket, your ultimate travel companion powered by the incredible Galaxy AI. With this trusty device, you’re never far from the help you need.

With Galaxy AI at your fingertips, features like Interpreter and Live Translate will make you feel like a local in no time. Simply fire up Interpreter, and you can instantly translate in-person conversations as you explore the city. Speak into your phone, and watch as your words are instantly translated and displayed on the screen for the locals to understand—helping you ask about points of interest or directions, while effortlessly connecting with the people around you.

But that’s not all! Live Translate breaks down language barriers during phone calls. So when you’re trying to make a reservation at that highly coveted Michelin-starred restaurant, the Galaxy AI has got you covered—no awkward misunderstandings here!

And for those moments when you need to understand what’s right in front of you, Circle to Search translate comes to the rescue. Simply point your phone’s camera at a sign or a menu, and watch as it instantly translates everything in view. No more guessing what that mysterious dish on the menu is or trying to decode the street signs.

With the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy AI by your side, you can fully embrace new cultures, connect with locals, and explore the world without missing a beat. As you head off on your year-end adventure, make sure your Galaxy S24 FE is in your travel bag—because with the power of Galaxy AI, the world is yours to discover!

Get the full Galaxy AI experience for under RM2,000![1]

Trade in your selected A50 or A70 series devices to enjoy significant savings through Samsung’s trade-in program on the Samsung Online Store.[2] The rebate value may vary for each model. If you trade in other existing devices, you will get a RM300 rebate upon checkout.[3] Promotion ends on 31 December 2024.

Buy the new Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-s24-fe/buy/

[1] While stocks last. Terms and conditions apply.

[2] Trade-in value is refreshed on a monthly basis. Actual final price may vary depending in the value of trade-in device. Terms and conditions apply.

[3] Terms and conditions apply.

Galaxy AI currently supports 16 languages[1], and by the end of the year that number will go up to 20 with these new additions. This update means even more users will be able to lower language barriers and step into a larger world with the power of Galaxy AI. The new languages and dialects will be available for download as language packs from the Settings app of compatible Galaxy devices.

For more information about Galaxy AI, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, Samsungmobilepress.com or Samsung.com.

[1] Supported languages include Arabic, Chinese (China mainland, Hong Kong), English (Australia, India, United Kingdom, United States), French (Canada, France), German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Mexico, Spain, United States), Thai and Vietnamese.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Paris mesmerises travelers with its endless wonders for many days on end. But for 17 days this year, the city commands the attention of the world for very different reasons. Hope, unity and anticipation permeates the air of Paris this year, as hundreds of thousands flock to the city of love and light for the Olympic Games, eager to aid their nations’ representatives in spirit as they compete for the glory that is gold.

To the global tune of millions chanting in unison towards one common goal, Samsung brought forth its ethos of “Open Always Wins”, where Samsung shares the belief that open-mindedness can lay the bedrock to new experiences and perspectives that can birth meaningful achievements and infinite possibilities. Thus, the Olympic Games Paris 2024 became an open cultural moment, bringing the world’s athletes and its millions of supporters together with the cutting-edge in wireless technology.

Join Samsung as we zoom in on one such supporter making her journey to Paris, excited to play her own part in the Olympic Games. Shu Faye, gaming personality and social media influencer, makes her way to the Olympic Games, taking in the sights of the city with her Galaxy Z Flip6.  With the help of Galaxy AI, Shu Faye navigates the city, using Circle to Search with Google to find iconic spots, Interpreter to find out where the best food is from locals, and the FlexCam and Photo Assist to find great shots that show off the beauty of Paris.

▲ Shu Faye navigating the streets of Paris with her Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

▲ Shu Faye using Interpreter to find out where the best eats are from the locals

Along the way, Shu Faye meets up with Bertrand Rhodict Lises, the Flag Bearer of Malaysia in the Olympic Games. Bertrand, who is just 19 years old, brims with potential as he made his professional debut in diving last year and surprised many with his qualification to the Olympic Games this year.

A part of Team Samsung Galaxy, Bertrand makes an impact on and off the field. Not only representing a nation, he represents the ferocity and confidence of Gen Zs, their unfaltering ability to make a difference and carry a nation’s hopes and dreams for the future. Embodying the spirit of Open Always Wins, Bertrand intends to make a mark in diving as well, a symbol of the belief that the possibilities of new experiences are limitless and we can achieve anything, anywhere. Shu Faye sits down with him on the Parisian streets for a chat.

When the first time Olympic Games qualifier received the news, he took it coolly: “I was still processing the fact that I am qualified and the reality hits hard now that I’m here in Paris.” The road to the Olympic Games were a long one for Bertrand, but he is thankful for the opportunity to represent his country: “It was a tough journey as I had to be away from my family to go to an intensive training camp in China for two months, but I am thankful that I am qualified and finally here.” When asked if he made any friends during his time at the Olympic Games, Bertrand said: “With the help of Interpreter, it was easy to get to know some friends from other nations.”

▲ (Top and bottom picture) Shu Faye and Bertrand commemorating their meeting through a selfie with the Galaxy Z Flip6

Watch Shu Faye’s full journey to the Olympic Games and more of her conversation with Bertrand here:

For more information on the Galaxy Z series, please visit:

• Galaxy Z Fold6: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-z-fold6/
• Galaxy Z Flip6: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-z-flip6/

A diverse country with more than 203 million people embodying a wide range of cultures and traditions, Brazil uses Brazilian Portuguese as its official language. Meanwhile, 22 neighboring countries use Latin American Spanish.

Although Brazilian Portuguese and Latin American Spanish are widely spoken, intricate variations in both languages presented various challenges when teaching Galaxy AI to discern and distinguish regional differences. That’s why Samsung R&D Institute Brazil (SRBR) collaborated with Samsung experts from Mexico — as well as third-party partners such as the science and technology institutes SiDi and Sidia — to assemble a multidisciplinary and highly skilled team that could tackle the task.

Lower Barriers, Higher Understanding

The team used thousands of sources and a combination of machine learning and language processing tools to improve the AI model’s recognition of speech, written texts, and regional variations. But local jargon and names of famous figures — including sports teams, celebrities, and bands — vary widely between regions. Also, the same meaning can be expressed in many different words. While language models need localized data to gain a comprehensive understanding of the different languages to be translated, such variations inevitably present obstacles.

For example, swimming pool is “alberca” in Mexico — but it is “pileta” in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Meanwhile, in Colombia, Bolivia and Venezuela, swimming pool is “piscina”, which is also used in Brazil but with a slight tonal difference. And while Colombians might say “chévere” to refer to something cool, Mexicans instead say “padre.”

These differences represent huge challenges for AI language understanding and learning, but the team overcame them by building larger language models, refining processing tools – and collaborating across borders and time zones.

“We had to consider local slang and different ways of speaking before adapting and testing the model accordingly, which required close collaboration between the SRBR quality assurance (QA) team and development teams,” says Mateus Pedroso, Senior Manager and Head of Software Quality Lab at SRBR. “Since SRBR is located three hours ahead of the QA team in Mexico and 12 hours behind the management team in Korea, we had to create new communication channels and processes to align results and share progress. This multicultural collaboration generated a fiesta of ideas and solutions for Galaxy AI.”

Communicating Success

Samsung’s philosophy of open collaboration came to life during this regional project as it was an iterative process that leveraged evolving technology on a global scale. To overcome linguistic and cultural barriers, the SRBR team needed to collect and manage massive amounts of data — continually refining and improving upon audio and text sources.

The teams carved out key areas of responsibility to ensure everyone could benefit from the collective skill sets across the company’s Latin American offices. The SRBR development team served as the intermediate stakeholder of the project, receiving directions from Samsung’s headquarters and developing new updates to improve the AI model while carrying out tests for numerous use cases.

“The testing phase required extensive communication and collaboration with QA teams to optimize the user experience, and each adjustment needed further testing and review,” says Leandro Flores de Moura, Software Development Manager at SiDi. “The success of Galaxy AI’s language capabilities is built on communication and collaboration as much as it is on technical expertise” adds Nathan Castro, QA Test Developer at SiDi.

A Roadmap for Culture

What makes Galaxy AI particularly interesting for everyone involved is the fact that this wasn’t merely a language project. To them, language is a cultural guide that provides valuable insight into people’s heritage and identity.

“For SiDi’s QA team, this was an endeavor that will change the world by enabling cultures to come together and overcome the difficulty of communicating in different languages,” adds Estefanía Castro Suárez, Test Developer at SiDi. “Knowing we were part of this fills us with pride and motivation.”

“The way the SRBR team collaborated exemplifies what Galaxy AI sets out to achieve—making the world a smaller place through communicating, sharing and interacting with people, even those who speak different languages,” concludes Pedroso. “This capability will only grow as more languages come on board with Galaxy AI.”

Join Galaxy AI-Volution Squad Today!

Purchase our latest Galaxy innovation

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-s24-ultra/buy/
• Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Samsung Galaxy S24: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-s24/buy/

To learn more about Galaxy AI, visit: https://www.samsung.com/my/galaxy-ai

Calling Samsung fans – the long-awaited Galaxy AI[1] features are now available in Malaysia with the latest One UI 6.1 update to even more Galaxy S Series, Galaxy Z Series and Galaxy Tab S Series devices.

If you own any of the following devices,  you can look forward to elevated mobile experiences with Galaxy AI starting from as early as end March, and harness the unlimited opportunities of on-device and cloud-based AI, all from your Galaxy device:

• Galaxy S23 series
• Galaxy S22 series
• Galaxy S23 FE
• Galaxy Z Flip5
• Galaxy Z Fold5
• Galaxy Z Flip4
• Galaxy Z Fold4
• Galaxy Tab S9 (5G and Wi-Fi) series
• Galaxy Tab S8 (5G and Wi-Fi) series

Q: How do I check if Galaxy AI has been installed on my device?

Look out for the above software update notification

To get the Galaxy AI features, make sure your Galaxy device’s software is updated to the latest version. You may receive a pop-up on your phone prompting you to download and install the update or you can update your mobile device’s software manually to One UI 6.1, following these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Software update.
2. Tap on Download and install.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Q: Which Galaxy AI features will be made available?

The below features will be progressively rolled out on the above mentioned devices, unless otherwise specified.

Enabling smarter, more effective communication

Get things done more efficiently, so you have more time for the things you love

Unlock your creative potential with AI

Q: How can you leverage Galaxy AI on big screens?

Maximize your productivity and creativity with the bigger screens of the Galaxy Tab S9 series or Galaxy Z Fold5, with Galaxy AI. Zoom in and perfect the minor details of your photos with Generative Edit, streamline your everyday journals or meeting notes with Note Assist on Samsung Notes, and hold seamless in-person conversations that transcend beyond language barriers with Interpreter.

Join Galaxy AI-Volution Squad Today!

Purchase any of the Galaxy AI device listed below with your own preference.

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-s24-ultra/buy/
• Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Samsung Galaxy S24: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-s24/buy/
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-s23-ultra/buy/
• Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Samsung Galaxy S23: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-s23/buy/
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-z-flip5/buy/
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-z-fold5/buy/
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series: https://www.samsung.com/my/tablets/galaxy-tab-s9/buy/

To learn more about Galaxy AI, visit: https://www.samsung.com/my/galaxy-ai

[1] Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by AI features. Samsung Account login may be required to use certain Samsung AI features.

[2] Tone suggesting feature in Chat Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Must meet length requirements to activate feature. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[3] Live Translate requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Live Translate is only available on the pre-installed Samsung Phone app. Certain languages may require language pack download. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[4] Results may vary depending on visual matches. Requires internet connection. Users may need to update Android to the latest version. Product functionality may be dependent on your app and device settings. Some functions may not be compatible with certain apps. Availability of the service varies by country and language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[5] Note Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Character limit applies. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[6] Transcript Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Transcript Assist is only available on the pre-installed Samsung Voice Recorder app or files recorded using the pre-installed Samsung Phone app. Voice recording feature in the pre-installed Samsung Phone app may not be supported in some countries. Audio files must be under 3 hours in duration to be processed. Summarizing feature in Transcript Assist can be activated when a certain number of characters is met. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

[7] Generative Edit requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Editing with Generative Edit results in a resized photo up to 12MP. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image output upon saving in order to indicate that the image is generated by AI. The accuracy and reliability of the generated output is not guaranteed.

[8] Instant Slow-mo is only available on the pre-installed Samsung Video Player and Samsung Gallery app. Service availability may differ by the video spec.