Samsung unveils AI-powered Galaxy S24 that can translate calls and texts

Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy S24 series with new features including on-device phone call translation and revamped cameras. Preorders being Jan. 19.

Roh Tae-moon, head of Samsung Electronics' mobile business, poses for a photo with the new Galaxy S24 series at Galaxy Unpacked 2024 in San Jose, California on Wednesday, local time. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

Samsung Electronics unveiled the much-anticipated Galaxy S24 flagship smartphones loaded with AI-powered features such as real-time translation for calls and text messages.

The Korean tech giant held its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose, California on Wednesday, local time, approximately a month earlier than it usually does, in its attempt to get an early lead in the competitive premium smartphone market.

The Galaxy S24 is Samsung’s first on-device AI smartphone, meaning users can activate certain AI features without an internet connection. Such technology can allow for quicker processing and enhanced security, since input data doesn't need to leave the phone.

The starting price for the flagship S24 Ultra has gotten a bump-up from 1.59 million won ($1,180) to 1.69 million won while the starting prices of the remaining two — the base model and the Plus — will remain the same.

“The Galaxy S24 series will open a new era for AI mobiles, going beyond the era of smartphones,” said Roh Tae-moon, head of Samsung Electronics’ smartphone business.

“Galaxy AI will change how users experience the world and support the unleash of limitless potential.”

Galaxy S24 series specs

━ AI features

Galaxy S24 Ultra in titanium black shade [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

The Galaxy S24's signature features include AI Live Translate, a real-time, two-way phone call translation tool available in the device's native “Call” app. Its on-device processing mitigates issues of lag and data leakage, Samsung says.

Live Translate is available for 13 languages including Korean, English, Chinese, French, German, Thai and Vietnamese.

The real-time translation capability extends to messaging as well — not only in Samsung's native messaging app, but also major third-party platforms including KakaoTalk.

Text translation is accessible through a separate AI button on the virtual keyboard. The model will not only translate, but also fix typos and adjust tone depending on the conversation and situation.

In collaboration with Google, the Galaxy S24 has also been equipped with a function called “Circle to Search” that brings about curated search results when a user circles or highlights objects in photos or videos without activating any additional apps. Pressing the home button for a certain amount of time will activate the feature.

Galaxy S24's new "Circle to Search" function developed in collaboration with Google [YONHAP]

━ AI in camera

Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S24 base model in cobalt violet shade [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

The Galaxy S24's cameras will also benefit from AI, Samsung says. Zoom, editing features, and the lowlight camera function Nightography have all received a boost.

The previous Ultra's 10x optical zoom lens has been replaced with a 5x lens, but this is not expected to jeopardize the camera's zoom capabilities thanks to its high-resolution sensor and AI benefits.

The previous Ultra's 10MP (megapixel) lens with 10x zoom has been replaced with a 50MP sensor that offers 5x zoom, theoretically enabling users to take sharper cropped photos. The Space Zoom feature, which offers a combined optical and digital zoom of 100x, will remain as well.

“The new 50-million pixel Adaptive Pixel sensor and AI technology allow excellent photos and videos including the 10x zoom in any distance,” the company said in a release. “The 100x Space Zoom also allows for clear and clean photo of objects at far distances through upgraded digital zoom resolutions.”

AI will assist in photo editing tools as well.

If photos are slanted or have their background cropped, for example, a new “Generative Edit” function will adjust the tilt and fill in for the missing backgrounds. Erasing unwanted objects in the photos is also available, as it was on previous series.

AI-powered photo editing tool experienced at Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event [YONHAP]

━ Hardware upgrade

Global media and partners of Samsung Electronics experience the new Galaxy S24 series at the Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

The Galaxy S24 Ultra, the most high-end item in the lineup, has a titanium frame for the first time, aiming for a more high-end look.

The Ultra's display has remained the same size, but those of the Plus and base models have been enlarged. The Plus model has a 6.7-inch display, an increase from the S23's 6.6-inch screen, while the base model has 6.2-inch screen, slightly enlarged from the S23's 6.1-inch screen.

The Ultra will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, while the base and Plus models will include Samsung's own Exynos 2400 chipset, marking the series' first comeback since 2022.

Preorders in Korea will open on Jan. 19 before sales officially launch on Jan. 31.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]