Through AI-powered assistance, Galaxy users can more naturally engage in conversational interactions that make everyday tasks easier. Just press and hold the side button to show Gemini Live¹ what you see while simultaneously interacting with it in a live conversation.

Imagine picking out an outfit or re-organising a closet. Gemini Live can now make those everyday decisions easier. By simply pointing the camera, users can get suggestions on how to categorise items and optimise space or share their screen while browsing online retailers to receive personalised style advice. With the ability to see what the user sees and respond in real time – Galaxy S25 series feels like a trusted friend who’s always ready to help.

“Together with Google, we are marking a bold step toward the future of mobile AI, delivering smarter interactions that are deeply in sync with how we live, work and communicate,” said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “With this new visual capability, Galaxy S25 series brings next-generation AI experiences to life, setting new standards for how users engage with the world through their devices.”

On April 07, Gemini Live with camera and screen sharing capabilities will start rolling out to all Galaxy S25 series users at no additional cost.

^[1] Check responses for accuracy. Compatible with certain features and accounts. Internet connection required. Available in select countries and to users 18+.

Samsung Electronics today announced the integration of Eclipsa Audio — a groundbreaking 3D audio technology developed in partnership with Google — into its 2025 TV and soundbar lineup. By empowering creators to craft dynamic, immersive audio content and enabling seamless playback on Samsung TVs, Eclipsa Audio brings captivating audio and visual experiences closer to consumers than ever before.

“We are proud to lead the industry with the integration of Eclipsa Audio into our 2025 TV and soundbar lineup,” said Taeyong Son, Executive Vice President and Head of the R&D Team, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics. “This innovation opens new possibilities for immersive audio experiences and reinforces our commitment to shaping the future of home entertainment.”

Innovating the Home Entertainment Experience

Samsung, the global leader in the TV market for 18 consecutive years, is redefining home entertainment with the integration of Eclipsa Audio. With the largest market share over 75 inches worldwide, Samsung TVs are poised to make this groundbreaking technology accessible to more consumers than ever before.

Eclipsa Audio allows creators to adjust audio data such as the location and intensity of sounds, along with spatial reflections, to create an immersive three-dimensional sound experience.

As the first in the industry to adopt Eclipsa Audio, Samsung is integrating the technology across its 2025 TV lineup — from the Crystal UHD series to the premium flagship Neo QLED 8K models — to ensure that consumers who want to experience this advanced technology can choose from a wide range of options.

Expanding Content and Playback

Starting in 2025, creators will be able to upload videos with Eclipsa Audio tracks to YouTube. Viewers with 2025 Samsung devices will be able to watch YouTube videos with premium spatial audio when available.

To ensure consistent audio quality, Samsung and Google are working with the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) to create a certification program for devices using Eclipsa Audio, ensuring that consumers experience the highest standards of sound fidelity.

“We believe that Eclipsa Audio has the potential to change the way we experience sound,” said Jim Bankoski, Vice President of Engineering, Google Chrome. “We are excited to see how the creator community uses it to create new and innovative audio experiences.”

What once seemed like science fiction has become a reality as eXtended reality (XR) transforms how we engage with the world around us.

XR is an umbrella term for technologies that use digital elements to extend or alter reality by merging the physical and digital worlds together. This includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) as well as other similar technologies yet to be developed. XR offers infinite possibilities, creating a dynamic spatial canvas where users’ sight, sound and motion combine to interact with the outside world. A world that will unlock unprecedented experiences across core areas of life, from working and learning to entertainment, gaming and even health and wellness.

We have always placed the user experience at the core of our innovation. It is our responsibility to bring the best possible technology and experience to our users, and we demonstrated this commitment by introducing and democratising Galaxy AI. Grounded in mobile AI leadership, we truly believe now is the time to unlock the potential of XR. With the power of multimodal technology, our XR enables the most natural and intuitive interactions with the world. Supported by the broader Galaxy ecosystem, this technology will empower and transform your everyday life — in a way that only we can deliver.

We are also making our vision a reality through open collaboration with industry leaders like Google and Qualcomm, culminating in the creation of an entirely new Android XR platform. For many years, we have worked side-by-side with partners, designing, integrating and optimising technology — and this next project is one of our most ambitious endeavours yet.

By uniting forward-thinking ideas with industry-leading expertise, we can ensure a robust and scalable platform that offers a wide range of content. From the Galaxy ecosystem and Google’s suite of apps to partnership with third-party developers, every XR interaction will be incredibly enriched.

Available for both headsets and glasses, this new platform leverages the power of Gemini by bringing together a conversational user interface (UI) and a contextual understanding of the world around you. It offers cutting-edge capabilities beyond gestures or a controller, utilising voice and natural conversation to elevate the experience. With these accurate, personalised interactions, the platform will be your helpful AI assistant.

Code named “Project Moohan”, the first headset designed for Android XR is poised to bring this experience to life in the near future. The name “Moohan”, meaning ‘infinity’ in Korean, connotes our belief in delivering unparalleled, immersive experiences within an infinite space. Equipped with state-of-the-art displays, Passthrough capabilities and natural multi-modal input, this headset will be your spatial canvas to explore the world through Google Maps, enjoy a sports match on YouTube or plan trips with the help of Gemini. All these experiences come with lightweight, ergonomically optimised hardware designed to ensure maximum comfort during use.

“XR has quickly shifted from a distant promise to a tangible reality. We believe it has the potential to unlock new and meaningful ways to interact with the world by truly resonating with your everyday lives, transcending physical boundaries,” said Won-Joon Choi, EVP and Head of R&D, Mobile eXperience Business. “We are excited to collaborate with Google to reshape the future of XR, taking our first step towards it with Project Moohan.”

“We are at an inflection point for the XR, where breakthroughs in multimodal AI enable natural and intuitive ways to use technology in your everyday life”, said Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem, Google. “We’re thrilled to partner with Samsung to build a new ecosystem with Android XR, transforming computing for everyone on next-generation devices like headsets, glasses and beyond.”

The possibilities of XR are infinite — and we’re only getting started.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the availability of Circle to Search with Google for select Galaxy A series ^[1] , furthering the democratisation of mobile AI to even more devices in the Galaxy ecosystem. This enhancement underscores Samsung and Google’s continuous dedication to providing the best of mobile technology to as many users as possible.

Circle to Search has quickly become a fan favourite since launching on the Galaxy S24 series, offering a transformative experience of discovery that goes beyond traditional search methods. As it expanded to more Galaxy devices, including the latest Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6, Circle to Search has continuously evolved to enhance its usability and intuitiveness, including adding full-page translation, homework help, and QR and barcode scanning capabilities. Now, with Circle to Search on the Galaxy A series, we’re bringing the ability to ask more complex questions about what you see to even more of Samsung’s product line-up.

“These updates unlock new possibilities for the Galaxy A series and reinforce our commitment to providing cutting-edge technology for more Galaxy users,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are dedicated to bringing best-in-class AI technology to a broader audience, empowering users with the option to work more efficiently, create more freely, and enjoy richer, more personalised interactions with their devices.”

Circle to Search is a new way to search anything using a simple gesture – without switching apps. When Circle to Search is enabled, users can simply circle, highlight or tap anywhere on the screen to select the text, image or video they want to search. ^[2] This feature — the result of a deep collaboration with Google — embodies the company’s long-standing commitment to openness and collaboration. With AI-powered results offering rich information and context, Circle to Search elevates the search experience to a new level of ease and excitement.

For more information about the Galaxy A series please visit: Galaxy AI | Mobile AI and AI Features on Devices | Samsung ZA  ǀ  Galaxy A55 5G Awesome Navy 256 GB | Samsung South Africa

^[1] To be rolled out beginning this month for the following models: Galaxy A55, A54, A35, and A34. Availability of Circle to Search updates may vary by device model and market.

^[2] 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.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 05 August 2021 –At last August’s Unpacked event, I shared my strategy to bring more empowering mobile technology to as many people as possible, especially at a time when they needed it most. Now, around one year later, our world is slowly but surely preparing to reopen in many ways. We’re all yearning for freedom and the possibilities that this new world has to offer thanks to advancements in technology that are set to make our world bigger than it ever was.

This past year, new technologies continued to reshape the way we live. Our collaboration with trusted industry partners allowed us to drive seamless experiences that offer more personalization and versatility than ever. As we enter this new era of agile transformation, I believe that open ecosystems are the only way to accelerate innovation and give people more freedom to create their own experiences that are best for their lifestyles.

Samsung Electronics is poised and ready to unveil visionary, purposeful mobile technology for a better world. In a few weeks, we will unleash our latest and greatest Galaxy Z series to reshape the smartphone category and completely reimagine your experiences.

Life Opens Up with Galaxy 

Today, the world needs flexible technologies that give people room to explore. At Samsung, people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re constantly listening to you to ensure that any new device and experience we create really brings meaningful innovations. We want to enrich everyone’s life, not just the lives of a select few. From epic cameras and vivid, immersive viewing experiences to long-lasting batteries and strong security, we’re focusing on what really matters to you.

As we explore new ways to empower you, we often venture into uncharted territory. That’s how we ended up creating a brand-new category with the launch of the Galaxy Fold. And we didn’t stop there. We kept improving the category with our second generation of foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold2 and the Galaxy Z Flip, with more screen and more of the features you now know and love. I’m excited to say our third generation of foldable devices will open up amazing new multitasking capabilities and enhanced durability for even more people around the world.  

Samsung is Bringing More People into the Fold

This will be especially important as the world leap frogs into new frontiers of connectivity that demand open ecosystems and reliable mobile experiences. At Samsung, “open” and “secure” are never mutually exclusive. In fact, our collaborations with trusted industry leaders like Google and Microsoft are why we are able to deliver mobile technology that is secure and optimized for today’s rapidly evolving and interconnected world. We constantly work with key partners to create cutting-edge security solutions that keep your devices and data safe every step of the way. This allows us to give you even more control over your apps, data and privacy, so you can curate your own experience — with total peace of mind.

Collaboration enables us to build mobile experiences that make your life easier and better. It fueled the development of a new unified wearable platform, which we built jointly with Google. On top of your favorite Galaxy apps like Samsung Health and SmartThings, there will be so many others in the new Google Play Store. Furthermore, our One UI Watch user interface is deeply integrated with our other Galaxy devices and provides consistent connectivity between your Galaxy Watch and Galaxy smartphone.

We are also working with Google to enrich our foldable ecosystems with popular apps and services. For our third generation of Galaxy Z phones, we have lined up even more partner apps that make the most of the versatile fold-out format. From hands-free optimized video calling with Google Duo and watching videos in Flex mode on YouTube to multitasking in Microsoft Teams, our foldable ecosystem will offer a wealth of seamless and optimized experiences.  

A New Chapter in Smartphone Innovation Is Here

The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold combines the very best that smartphones and tablets offer and delivers completely new ways of working, connecting and creating, while the upcoming Z Flip exhibits an even more refined style, armed with more durable, stronger materials. I firmly believe these devices will answer the call for the versatile mobile technology we need as we navigate the open road ahead.

We are out to set new heights and open up a whole new world of exciting experiences for even more people. I hope you’ll join us as we debut our next Galaxy Z family and share some foldable surprises — including the first-ever S Pen designed specifically for foldable phones. Instead of unveiling a new Galaxy Note this time around, we will further broaden beloved Note features to more Samsung Galaxy devices. In the meantime, mark your calendars and tune in to our Unpacked event on August 11 to see what unfolds.

“For the past 10 years, the Samsung-Google partnership has been the driving force behind so many of this industry’s most important innovations,” said Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. “Now, as we start a new decade, our partnership is more important than ever, as we work together to pioneer a new generation of breakthrough mobile experiences.”

The recent updates for YouTube are just one milestone in the developments the two companies have brought to Samsung’s flagship and foldable devices. Thanks to the partnership, Galaxy users get an optimised experience for the most popular Google apps, such as Google Maps and Google Play Store, and enjoy greater reliability, app continuity, and security. Last year, Samsung and Google ushered in a new mobile era by creating a seamless foldable experience for the Galaxy Fold. Here is a closer look at some of the latest ways Samsung and Google are delivering a more valuable Android experience on Galaxy devices.

A New Experience for YouTube with Flex Mode

With Galaxy Z Flip’s unique folding system, you can set your Galaxy Z Flip on the table and watch your favourite YouTube channel hands-free. And now, this hands-free experience is taken up to the next level with Flex mode compatibility. When you enjoy YouTube with your Galaxy Z Flip hands-free, the display evenly splits into two screens. While watching a video on the top half of the display, you can use the bottom half to search for other videos, read descriptions and write comments with no distractions.

Unfolded / Half-Folded

The Flex mode-optimised YouTube app also ensures that no matter what the aspect ratio of the video you are watching, you can view in comfort by adjusting the way the video fits in the top half of the screen. Square and vertical videos will nearly fill the entire space, while 16:9 videos will adjust to the center. But Flex mode compatibility with YouTube was more than just a simple user experience upgrade.

Working together, Samsung and Google’s engineers redesigned the app from the operating system level. This included integration of the Android Support Library, making it easier to bring Flex mode to more third-party services. Through the collaboration, Samsung has worked closely with the Android developer community to drive innovation for foldable devices. Galaxy Z Flip users can download the Flex mode-optimised YouTube app from the Google Play Store, which started in April¹, and enjoy the enhanced features that come with the latest update.

Galaxy users can also get up to 4 months of free YouTube Premium and enjoy benefits such as ad-free viewing, offline play, and background play.²

Beyond the latest YouTube updates, Samsung and Google have been working on several other innovations for Galaxy devices.

The Best Features Coming to Galaxy Devices

To start, Samsung is bringing support for Google’s Rich Communication Services (RCS) to Galaxy smartphones to make your conversations more seamless.³ The two companies have been working since 2018 to bring the features to Samsung devices.⁴

The Samsung Messages app with RCS allows users to do more, including chat over both Wi-Fi and mobile data, send and receive high-resolution photos and videos, receive read receipts, and create feature-rich group chats. The Messages app is also available on desktop, making it easy to transition seamlessly from mobile to PC.

In addition to the RCS integration, Samsung kicked off 2020 by offering out-of-the-box integration for Google Duo on both the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy Z Flip. Not only does Google Duo offer high-quality, high-speed video calling, it also allows up to 12 people to join a single video conference. On the Galaxy Z Flip, users can enjoy the app in Flex mode, where video chats appear on the top half, while call controls appear on the bottom half. Collaborations with Google are also bringing more interesting features to Galaxy devices.

With the ability to transcribe and caption media in real-time with incredible accuracy, Live Caption is one of the most exciting features on the Galaxy S20. Leveraging Google’s AI, Live Caption can produce captions for any audio or visual content, including YouTube videos, podcasts, and videos you and your friends have recorded. Developed in collaboration with the hearing-impaired and hard-of-hearing community, Live Caption is particularly helpful if you have hearing loss or are in an environment in which you don’t want to increase the volume. Users can toggle the feature on under either the Accessibility or Sound options in the device’s Settings menu.

As a result of the ongoing partnership with Google, Samsung is bringing monthly and quarterly security updates to Galaxy devices to further enhance user confidence and ensure the safety and security of their data. These include Google’s patches for Android, and Samsung’s patches for vulnerabilities and exposures.

“It’s been amazing to see Samsung continuously push the limits of what’s possible in mobile on the Android platform,” said Hiroshi Lockheimer at Galaxy Unpacked 2020, SVP of Platforms and Ecosystems at Google. “Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue to work together to build the next wave of helpful, mobile innovation.”

In the year ahead, Samsung will continue to work closely with Google to pioneer the next wave of mobile innovations that will change the way we communicate with the world.

* User interface shown in images is only a mock rendering. Actual user interface is subject to change.
1 Update release date may vary by market and carrier.
2 Availability dependent upon market. Galaxy S20 5G series, the Galaxy Z Flip and the Galaxy Fold are eligible for up to 4 months and all other mobile devices, including the A series, are eligible for up to 2 months.
3 Availability of Samsung Message app with RCS capabilities vary by market, device and carrier.
4 Samsung and Google Collaborate on RCS Messaging for Android

“We didn’t just build new category-defining hardware, we worked with major partners to design and deliver a brand-new mobile experience and foster an ecosystem that gives users access to the best applications and services,” said Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. “This is software innovation that incorporates both an immersive UX and a new UI perspective to provide a seamless experience.”

Since the introduction of the Infinity Flex Display at SDC 2018, Samsung and Google set up test labs in cities across the globe – from Seoul to Mountain View to Beijing – to work with and encourage partners and developers to test and verify that their apps and services are optimised for the Galaxy Fold and the Android ecosystem. Alongside this effort, Google introduced changes in Android 10 to offer improved resisable activity, multi-resume functionality and an updated Android Emulator to help support multiple-display type switching – opening the door to future foldable device optimisation. Now, select applications that Android users know and love have been updated to deliver an immersive, foldable experience on the Galaxy Fold.

“Together with ecosystem partners like Samsung, we have the opportunity to deliver an entirely new user experience that could transform the way we use our smartphones. We enjoyed working closely with the Samsung team and the Android developer community to ensure the users of the Galaxy Fold have the best experiences with their favourite apps and services,” said Sagar Kamdar, Director of Product Management for Android at Google.

Hundreds of apps have been optimised for the Galaxy Fold, including services from leading partners like Amazon Prime Video, App in the Air, Facebook, iHeartMedia, Microsoft, Spotify, Twitter, VSCO and more*.

“We are excited to work with Samsung to bring Prime members their favourite shows, movies and live sports on the Galaxy Fold,” said BA Winston, Global Head of Digital Video Playback and Technology at Amazon Prime Video. “Bringing the Prime Video app to the Galaxy Fold will give customers a new way to experience Amazon Originals like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel with Multi Window and Multi Resume.”

“App in the Air makes the travel process seamless and efficient, and by partnering with the Samsung Galaxy Fold we are demonstrating our commitment to expanding this technology through cutting-edge mediums, reaching our shared audiences of innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs,” said Bayram Annakov, CEO, App in the Air. “Our collaboration with Samsung is helping to build a more expansive ecosystem of services for our dedicated users – and we’re thrilled to begin this partnership with such an esteemed brand.”

“We’re excited to expand our long-standing partnership with Samsung by supporting their work to develop innovative experiences for consumers,” said Marc Shedroff, Vice President, Business Development, Facebook. “The new Samsung Galaxy Fold has the potential to usher in a new era of design, and it will be exciting to see what new use cases a foldable experience will unlock for users.”

“As the latest example of our continued commitment to joint-innovation with Samsung, we are excited to be a Galaxy Fold launch partner,” said Michele Laven, President of Strategic Partnerships Group for iHeartMedia. “With the multi-active window feature, iHeartRadio users will now be able to seamlessly navigate through their listening experience without having to ever switch between apps. This also aligns with our goal of providing a frictionless audio playback experience for your favourite live radio stations, podcasts and custom Artist Radio stations.”

“Office 365 is built to help people maximise their time while creating their best work – no matter where they are or which device they’re using,” said Jon Tinter, CVP of Business Development, Microsoft. “We’re excited to extend the Office experience to the Samsung Galaxy Fold, and help people transform their personal productivity.”

“We are proud to continue our Samsung partnership with the new Galaxy Fold,” said Sten Garmark,
VP of Consumer Products, Spotify. “The Fold will take mobile productivity to new heights and enable a more seamless Spotify listening experience for our users. Simply open the preloaded Spotify app to connect and listen across the Samsung ecosystem. Finding your favourite Spotify playlist favourites like Discover Weekly, or Podcasts such as Jemele Hill’s Unbothered, just got even easier!”

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Samsung and expand the Twitter experience to the Samsung Galaxy Fold. We are looking forward to seeing how people on Twitter engage with this foldable experience and its evolution over time,” said Brent Horowitz, Vice President, Global Product Partnerships at Twitter.

“Our mission at VSCO is to help everyone fall in love with their own creativity and to build tools and spaces to help achieve this. We’re excited to continue our collaboration with Samsung to build deeper, more expansive experiences for creators everywhere,” said Bryan Mason, Chief Business Officer at VSCO.

With features like seamless App Continuity and Multi-Active Window, you can browse, watch, connect and multitask like never before. With Galaxy Fold, you can switch seamlessly from the cover display to the main display and you can run multiple apps simultaneously, on the Galaxy Fold’s 7.3-inch main display, revolutionising the way you work and play on the go. These top applications and services and many more are now available in the Android ecosystem for the Galaxy Fold in the Google Play Store and Galaxy Store.

For more information about Galaxy Fold, please visit news.samsung.com/za/galaxy,  www.samsungmobilepress.com/za or  www.samsung.com/za/smartphones/galaxy-fold.

*Applications availability is region and country dependent.