19 Hidden Features of the Galaxy S24 Series
The recent launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series has stirred up a storm of excitement, with its cutting-edge AI features, camera upgrades, and enticing introductory offers dominating headlines. While the press conference and product pages have covered the major highlights, there’s a trove of hidden features of the Galaxy S24 Series and subtle changes that Android developers Mishaal Rahman and FragmentedChicken have uncovered. Let’s delve into these lesser-known aspects:
- Google’s Generative AI Wallpaper App
Among the surprises is the inclusion of Google’s generative AI wallpaper app pre-installed on the Galaxy S24 Series. Users can enjoy One UI-themed wallpapers by agreeing to Google’s generative AI Terms of Service. To activate it, navigate to Wallpaper & Style, tap Change Wallpaper, and select “Generative” under the creative section.
- No Seamless Updates Support
In a departure from previous models, the Galaxy S24 Series doesn’t seem to support seamless updates (A/B system updates). A prompt with an “Unsupported” message appears, signaling the absence of this feature.
A/B system updates, commonly referred to as seamless updates, maintain a functional booting system on the disk throughout an over-the-air (OTA) update. This method significantly lowers the risk of rendering a device inactive post-update, translating to a decreased need for device replacements and fewer instances of device reflashing at repair and warranty centers.
- Circle To Search with Gesture Navigation
A novel addition to the Galaxy S24 Series is the “Circle to Search” gesture. Users can perform an image search by circling any part of the screen or images. This feature seamlessly integrates with gesture navigation – just long-press the gesture handle.
- Upgraded Quick Share
Quick Share (version 13.6.10.38) receives an upgrade on the Galaxy S24 Series, now supporting picking up Nearby Share devices for enhanced sharing capabilities.
- Ultra HDR Format
The camera capabilities of the S24 Series are heightened with support for capturing Google’s Ultra HDR format images, promising more vivid HDR images. This feature was introduced in Android 14.
- Location of Galaxy AI Settings
Galaxy AI settings are consolidated under Settings > Advanced features > Advanced Intelligence features. Users can toggle “process data only on device” to disable cloud processing, though certain features might be limited.
- Live Translate Supported Languages
Live Translate on the Galaxy S24 Series supports a range of languages, including Chinese, English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese.
- Widgets on the Lock Screen
Widgets now have a prominent place on the lock screen in One UI 6.1, eliminating the need to tap the clock to access specific widgets.
- No Option to Hide Gesture Bar
In One UI 6.1, the option to hide the gesture bar has been removed. For those inquiring about executing the Circle to Search gesture with the bar hidden, the straightforward response is: you can’t. A visual comparison showcases the navigation bar settings in One UI 6.0 on a Z Fold 5 (left) and the equivalent settings page in One UI 6.1 on a Galaxy S24 (right). The absence of the hide gesture bar option in One UI 6.1 marks a departure from the customization available in the previous version, to provide Circle to Search facility.
- SDR Dimming
Alongside its capability for Ultra HDR capture, the Galaxy S24 Series introduces support for SDR dimming in conjunction with Android 14. Illustrating this feature through images is a challenge, but Mishaal Rahman verified its presence on his Galaxy S24 Ultra device by confirming the affirmative result for the method “Display#isHdrSdrRatioAvailable.” Essentially, this implies that the phone communicates an SDR/HDR ratio to applications (with the specific ratio to be determined later).
SDR dimming, a notable addition, selectively reduces the pixel intensities of SDR layers while keeping overall display brightness high. This strategic approach ensures that HDR content retains its brighter highlights, contributing to an enhanced viewing experience on the Galaxy S24 Series.
- Dual eSIM Profiles
The Samsung Galaxy S24 series emerges as a trailblazer, being the first among non-Pixel Android phones to embrace dual eSIM support. This breakthrough enables users to seamlessly utilize two eSIM profiles concurrently, breaking away from the conventional limits of either 1 pSIM + 1 eSIM or 2 pSIM configurations for dual SIM functionality.
While Mishaal Rahman has yet to add two eSIM profiles personally, his S24 Ultra model unequivocally states its support for the MEP (Multiple Enabled Profiles) feature. MEP serves as the foundational technology facilitating the simultaneous activation of two eSIM profiles stored on a single eSIM chip.
Subsequently, it is now confirmed that the Galaxy S24 series unequivocally supports dual eSIM functionality. This groundbreaking advancement empowers users to leverage two distinct eSIM plans concurrently, despite the device housing only a single eSIM chip. The successful integration of the MEP feature paves the way for enhanced flexibility in managing multiple eSIM profiles on the Galaxy S24 series.
- Camera Switching While Recording
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra enables users to switch between all rear camera lenses when recording at 4K at 60fps, a notable improvement over its predecessor Galaxy S23 Ultra.
- New Samsung Find App
Introducing the Samsung Find app, a novel inclusion preloaded on the Galaxy S24 series. This dedicated application offers users a comprehensive map view of their Galaxy devices within the SmartThings Find network, seamlessly extending its functionality to track items attached to Galaxy SmartTag trackers.
Organized into three intuitive tabs—People, Devices, and Items—the Samsung Find app serves diverse purposes. The People tab facilitates location sharing with friends and family, while the Devices tab assists in locating either your own or a family member’s device. Simultaneously, the Items tab streamlines the process of locating possessions tagged with a smart tag.
Notably, the “notify when left behind” feature, designed to alert users when moving away from crucial items, is not presently integrated into the app. However, this functionality is slated for addition in a future update. In the interim, users can activate this feature through the existing SmartThings Find app.
This app comes preloaded on devices launching with One UI 6.1, and for devices upgrading to One UI 6.1, it is available for download from the Galaxy Store. The global accessibility of the app, except for China, ensures a widespread user reach for the enhanced tracking capabilities offered by the Samsung Find app.
- Updated AOD in One UI 6.1
The Always On Display in One UI 6.1 defaults to showing the lock screen wallpaper. Users can revert to a pure black background by toggling “Show Lock screen wallpaper” under Settings. Below is Here’s a before/after:
- Weather Effects on Any Photo
In One UI 6.1, you can now add dynamic weather effects to any photo for your lock screen. Turn on “photo ambient wallpaper” in Settings > Advanced features > Labs, then choose “photo ambient” in Settings > Wallpaper and Style. The effect changes based on your location’s time and weather conditions, providing a personalized touch to your lock screen.
- Camera Sharing Feature
With the introduction of One UI 6.1, a noteworthy addition is the “camera sharing” feature, allowing you to transform your Galaxy S24 series into a webcam for your nearby Galaxy tablet. To enable this functionality, ensure both devices have WiFi, Bluetooth, and camera sharing activated. It’s likely this feature is exclusive to Galaxy tablets running One UI 6.1.
It’s crucial to distinguish this capability from another wireless webcam feature unveiled at CES 2024. Specifically, the Galaxy S24’s ability to serve as a webcam for the Galaxy Book4 through Link to Windows represents a distinct feature.
- New Battery Protection Options
One UI 6.1 introduces new “battery protection” options, offering users the choice between “basic” charging mode, and “adaptive” charging mode, and limiting the charge to 80% (previously 85%), aimed at prolonging battery longevity. This can be found under Settings > Battery.
- Chromecast Mirroring Now Easier
The Smart View app on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series simplifies Chromecast mirroring, eliminating the need to navigate through hidden developer options.
- Bluetooth LE Audio Broadcast
Excitingly, the Galaxy S24 series introduces the capability to initiate a Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast. This feature empowers users to share the media they’re currently enjoying with nearby devices that support Auracast. To access this functionality, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth > three-dot menu > Broadcast sound using Auracast.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that other Galaxy devices with Bluetooth LE Audio support may acquire this broadcast capability upon upgrading to One UI 6.1.
In conclusion, while the major features have garnered widespread attention, these hidden features of the Galaxy S24 Series contribute to an enriched user experience, showcasing Samsung’s commitment to innovation and user satisfaction. As users explore these features, the Galaxy S24 Series establishes itself as a formidable contender in the ever-evolving smartphone landscape.
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