Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the availability of the One UI 8 Watch update for Galaxy Watch Ultra, unlocking the motivational health features and refined, intuitive interface unveiled with the new Galaxy Watch8 series to a wider range Galaxy users. With the update, Galaxy Watch Ultra users now have access to powerful tools  like Running Coach, Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index, Bedtime Guidance, and High Stress Alert - all designed to help users build healthier habits through motivational insights.

With One UI 8 Watch, the user interface is optimised to deliver essential information at a glance on a smartwatch-sized screen. Multi-Info Tiles pull everything from health metrics to weather into a customisable view, delivering the information users need, exactly when they need it. Now Bar  ensures that whatever users are working on is always accessible. These One UI 8 Watch features integrate seamlessly with Galaxy Watch Ultra’s robust performance and durability.

Galaxy Watch Ultra remains the ultimate wearable companion for those who love outdoor adventure, all available in four stunning titanium finishes - including the newly introduced Titanium Blue. Meanwhile, Galaxy Watch8 is designed for everyday wellness with comfort and style, while Galaxy Watch8 Classic offers timeless sophistication paired with advanced functionality. The Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic and Galaxy Watch Ultra in Titanium Blue are available now for purchase at Samsung.com and in stores.

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy A56 5G & A36 5G: Awesome Intelligence

Samsung’s latest Galaxy A series marks a bold step into the AI-powered mobile future. With the introduction of the Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G, Samsung is bringing what it calls “Awesome Intelligence” directly to users’ fingertips. These new models offer futuristic features designed for everyday use – making advanced AI experiences more accessible than ever before.

What Samsung has done with these devices is make AI accessible — not as a gimmick, but as a true daily companion. Whether it’s discovering something cool online, cleaning up your pics, or getting the perfect snap on the first try, Awesome Intelligence is all about helping you do more, better, and faster.

These devices aren’t just about better specs — they’re about smarter experiences. Here’s a look at three AI-powered features changing the way you interact with your phone daily.

Circle to Search: When Curiosity Strikes, You’re Covered

We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling Instagram or TikTok, and someone’s wearing an outfit you love or using a gadget you need in your life. But there’s no tag, no caption, no clue.

Circle to Search is one of the most powerful and practical AI tools on the Galaxy A56 5G and A36 5G. Just press and hold the home button, circle what you’re curious about – a shoe, a landmark, a makeup product — and boom, instant Google-powered search results, right on your screen. Or say you spot a streetwear hoodie you like as you’re scrolling through your newsfeed. Instead of playing detective, you ‘Circle to Search’ it and get links related to the item online — all without leaving the app. Less switching, more discovering.

This is not just next-gen browsing. This is instant, intuitive discovery built into your daily scrolling.

Object Eraser: Fix Your Photos in a Tap

Let’s be honest — the perfect shot is often ruined by someone walking into frame at the wrong time or a random object in the background. In the past, that meant either retaking the photo (if possible), using a third-party app, or just learning to live with it.

With Object Eraser, those days are gone. Tap on the unwanted element in your photo — maybe it’s a photo bomber, a random shadow, or a messy pile of stuff in the background. The AI does the rest, removing the distraction and blending the image naturally.

You’re snapping a photo at the beach. It’s an epic time out, your outfit’s fire, but there’s a stranger walking their dog in the background. One tap with Object Eraser and it’s like they were never there.

Object Eraser makes every shot Insta-worthy — no filters, no stress.

Enhanced Camera AI: Bring Out Your Creativity

The Galaxy A56 5G and A36 5G come equipped with a 50MP main lens, a 10-bit HDR selfie camera, and in the case of the A56 5G, an ultra-wide 12MP lens and enhanced Nightography — but it’s the AI doing the behind-the-scenes magic that levels up every shot.

AI isn’t just helping take photos — it’s helping you take better ones by automatically adjusting lighting and contrast to suit your scene, recognising different subjects (like people, pets, or food) and optimising settings on the fly, and smoothing low-light noise for cleaner night shots.

When you’re out for a night with friends, and the lighting in the club is, well, not ideal, there’s no need to panic because there’s a solve. But with AI-enhanced Nightography and selfie optimisation, your photos come out looking sharp, balanced, and ready to post. No edits needed.

And for the group shots, the Galaxy A56 5G offers Best Face — a clever AI tool that lets you select the best expressions from a burst of photos and merge them. No more “let’s take one more” because someone blinked or looked away.

One of the best parts is that you’re getting all this in stylish, powerful devices with immersive Super AMOLED displays, long-lasting 5000mAh batteries, and fast, reliable 5G connectivity — all wrapped in a design that’s built to last with IP67 water and dust resistance

Bucket Tech: Samsung AI Secured Privacy

The potential of AI is limitless, but to truly unlock the full potential of what it can do, user inputs that power personalized experiences are critical. AI needs to understand you — your preferences and your routines — to deliver a mobile experience that feels like a natural extension of your everyday life.

Intuitive, context-aware Galaxy AI features bring these personalized experiences to life, transforming your smartphone from a tool to a smart companion that anticipates your needs and offers suggestions designed to make your life more productive, creative and connected. 

To deliver a fully personalized experience, your device naturally needs access to certain data. This is what allows AI to understand you and tailor its responses in ways that are genuinely helpful and suited to your lifestyle. To ensure your personal data is safeguarded in this era of AI, we’re constantly innovating data protection on your device, so that nothing falls into the wrong hands.

Personalization Made Possible with the Personal Data Engine

Samsung Electronics’ Personal Data Engine (PDE) is a key component of safely delivering these highly personal experiences. First introduced with the Galaxy S25 series, the PDE is the powerhouse behind some of Galaxy’s most life-changing AI experiences yet. It works silently behind the scenes to learn from your habits and preferences, resulting in a truly personalized, unique experience.

Whether it’s Now Brief guiding you through your day with curated updates or simply finding that one perfect photo in your Gallery with natural language input, Galaxy AI makes every AI-powered action feel seamless. And because the PDE safely processes your data on-device, you can enjoy all the benefits of deeply customized AI — without compromising privacy.

Powerful Advancements with Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection

To further strengthen the security of Galaxy AI experiences, Samsung developed Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP) — a powerful new layer of on-device security that protects your most sensitive data without interrupting your experience. First developed for the PDE, KEEP now also safeguards other Galaxy AI features like Smart Suggestions, Now Brief, Samsung Moments and more, running quietly in the background to ensure that each supported app is kept secure.

Think of your phone like a house. Each app has its own room — separate, but all under the same roof. Then there’s Secure Folder, which works like a fully detached guesthouse with its own key, set apart from the main home. It’s great for keeping certain things extra private, especially when you want complete isolation from the rest of your device. But as AI features like the PDE start handling more sensitive tasks in real time, there’s a growing need for security that’s just as strong, yet more connected to your everyday experience.

That’s where KEEP comes in. Imagine turning part of the house into a private suite — still under the same roof, but with its own secure entrance that only you can use. It’s more private than a regular room, but not completely separate like the guesthouse. KEEP works the same way: it creates a secure, dedicated space for individual apps — like the PDE — so it can safely handle your data without sending it anywhere or getting in the way of how you use your phone.

As our mobile experiences become more intelligent, KEEP ensures your most personal data stays safe by design. Together with tools like Secure Folder, it reinforces Samsung’s multi-layered approach to data protection — giving both users and services the right type of security for different privacy needs.

With Galaxy AI becoming more personal, features like the Personal Data Engine and Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection are setting a new standard for mobile intelligence — where personalization and privacy go hand in hand. As these experiences grow smarter and more attuned to your needs, you can rest assured that your most sensitive information will stay safe on your device, exactly where it belongs.

Bucket Tech: Samsung Announces Official Rollout of One UI 7

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced that the official rollout of One UI 7 will start April 7 , bringing a bold new design for greater personalisation and control to the user experience. One UI 7 introduces new interface built for AI, helping users interact with their Galaxy devices more naturally than ever before. The update will be available starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, gradually rolling out to more Galaxy smartphones and tablets.

Bold New Design for Greater Personalization

One UI 7 comes with a simple, impactful, and emotive design, bringing streamlined and cohesive experience to Galaxy users. A simplified home screen, redesigned One UI widgets and lock screen allow users to intuitively and seamlessly customise their devices. For added convenience, Now Bar provides real-time updates that matter most right on the lock screen. So during a morning run, users can easily check their progress and see what song is playing in your Galaxy Buds – all with a simple swipe, without unlocking their phone.

Smarter AI Features for More Intuitive Experience

One UI 7 introduces seamless AI-driven experiences that help users to stay productive and explore their creativity. With Galaxy AI, users can simplify everyday tasks, minimising the need to switch between applications. AI Select intuitively recommends by understanding context. For example, a user can simple swipe the Edge Panel and click ‘AI Select’ icon when watching a video to save it as a GIF file. Writing Assist allows users to easily summarise or automatically format contents in which texts can be selected.

One UI 7 also enables simple edits to give users more creative control and freedom. Drawing Assist helps bring ideas to life with more than a single input, including combinations of text prompts and images or sketches. Audio Eraser makes advanced editing accessible for all, by isolating categories of sounds and removing unwanted noise in videos.

With deeper Google Gemini integration, controlling the device is as easy as speaking to a friend. Long-press the side button and say, “Find Italian, pet-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating nearby.” Gemini instantly pulls up recommendations in one seamless interaction.

Natural language search extends to Settings, making it easier to adjust preferences. Users can simply go into Settings and say “My eyes are feeling tired.” In an instant, recommended options such as adjusting brightness or turning on Eye comfort shield appear.

Availability

One UI 7 will begin rolling out on April 7, expanding to more Galaxy smartphones and tablets in the following weeks, including the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5, the Galaxy Tab S10 series and the Galaxy Tab S9 series.

Bucket Tech: HONOR Introduces Circle to Search

Global technology brand HONOR announced the availability of Circle to Search with Google on the flagship HONOR Magic V3, the world’s slimmest inward foldable smartphone, as well as on the HONOR 200 Series, delivering superior performance and an unrivalled studio-level portrait photography experience. The new enhancement ensures everyone can benefit from the latest AI advancements, bringing a seamless and intuitive search experience to smartphone users around the world.

“Enhancements in AI are transforming the way we work, learn, shop, create and interact with our devices. Whether you need translation assistance, homework help or simply want to find out more about an image that’s caught your eye on social media, our smartphones have become our go-to source for searching for this information,” said George Zhao, CEO of HONOR. “As a human-centric technology brand, HONOR is committed to bringing the benefits of AI to all. Thanks to our close industry collaboration with Google and by introducing this feature to not one, but two of our popular smartphone lines, it’s now possible to unlock a world of information at your fingertips, offering a whole new level of convenience in people’s daily lives.”

Circle to Search empowers users to instantly search for anything they see on their phone with Google. With Circle to Search, users can simply circle, highlight, scribble or tap anywhere on their screen to select the text, image or video they want to search for more information about, without switching apps. Circle to Search makes searching for whatever inspires you even easier.

HONOR’s AI Journey: Building a Comprehensive and Responsible AI Ecosystem

Recognizing the pivotal role of AI in shaping future lifestyles, HONOR has long viewed AI as a strategic priority. Through continuous R&D and open collaboration with industry partners, HONOR is dedicated to enriching its on-device AI ecosystem, delivering forward-thinking AI solutions to consumers worldwide. Earlier this year, HONOR unveiled HONOR’s Four-layer AI Architecture, a blueprint for industry-wide adoption that will ultimately benefit users everywhere. Embracing a hybrid AI strategy that fully integrates on-device AI and cloud AI capabilities, HONOR has developed a multi-layered security architecture and the HONOR Personal Cloud Compute, safeguarding user data and privacy during interactions with cloud AI services. 

Unveiled at IFA 2024, the latest flagship foldable HONOR Magic V3 features a host of pioneering AI capabilities. Teaming up with Google, the HONOR Magic V3 is equipped with AI Eraser, Face to Face Translation and HONOR Notes tools, empowering users with pro-grade productivity features. In keeping with its user-centric approach, HONOR has introduced the industry’s first AI Defocus Eye Protection Technology and AI Deepfake Detection Anti-Fraud Technology, addressing common health and safety concerns associated with smartphone usage. In addition, running on MagicOS 8.0.1, HONOR devices come with the intent-based Magic Portal and Magic Capsule, redefining human-device interactions to offer users optimal convenience.

Bucket Tech: Samsung Better For You

When people think of Samsung, they immediately think mobile phones and one wouldn't blame them given their large market share when it comes to smart phones. Their range is expansive with phones to suit anyone within their budget and the offering always meets expectations but this post isn't here to talk about the phones at all but rather their appliances. Yes, Samsung Electronics is more than just a smartphone manufacturer, as they have a bigger side to them with their electronics and appliances. Last week I was invited by Samsung South Africa to their Better For You design experience at the KZN Art Gallery where they had on display some of their more creative, aesthetically and visually appealing range. This, in combination with works from a local artist on exhibition was a great way to showcase how smart electronic appliances can be an art piece, showing that design can meet functionality. 

Samsung is one of the worlds largest producers of flat screen televisions, from LED, QLED, OLED that range from 1080 High-Definition up to 8K resolution, they have it all! But Samsung didn't stop there, their range of exclusive design style TV's are now becoming more than just a trend setting piece with their Frame range expanding and now offering different styles of TV units. Starting with the Serif TV, available in a host of sizes, the TV's shape gets inspiration from the Serif font which is evident when looking at the unit from its side. The bold border which surrounds the TV gives it character even when its turned off. The stands for it give off that early 70's tube television vibe but serves to give it more substance in a room. The matte screen finish of the screen really comes to life when displaying art work on the screen, making it look like an actual painting. The Serif is available in UHD and LED, depending on the preference of the user. Moving onto the Frame, which has more large displays available than the Serif, its best described as simplistic with a slim line border which is now also available in a white trim, combined with that matte finish screen makes it an ideal piece to be hung on a wall amongst other art work. 

Speaking of other devices mimicking art work, the Music Frame is a wireless speaker that looks like a picture stand. It has interchangeable Art Work which can be displayed on it and is a visual masterpiece in terms of design. It syncs easily with any mobile device which then can stream music to the speaker. Get multi-dimensional surround sound from one simple speaker with Dolby Atmos Music and Sound which gives you  clear and uniform sound anywhere in the room from this high quality, 3-way speaker. Get a more robust audio experience when you sync your Samsung TV speakers and Music Frame. With Q-Symphony, all your speakers work together.

Now, all these devices are good for entertainment but what about the other appliances? Well Samsung is introducing a bespoke range to their home appliances starting out with their fridges, airconditioners and washing machines. All these devices have smart capabilities and can be communicated via WiFi. All appliances have built-in AI and can receive updates wirelessly which future proofs itself when it comes to handy upgrades. Now you must be thinking why would my fridge need AI? Well AI is here to learn from us and adjust to suit our requirements, so your fridge will learn your daily routine, how many times you open the door and at what time. This will then now get that information and help the fridge run more optimally, reducing its peak power consumption when not required. Overall, the Samsung Bespoke range is more than just fancy looking products, it's devices to make your life better and look good at the same time. 

Bucket Tech: Google Gemini

 

AI has been slowly creeping its way into almost everything over the past 2 years, it came in relatively unannounced with tech companies using AI to assist with some of the most minute applications but slowly it began to grow even more, AI became more than something on your smart phone to help you take better pictures, soon with applications like Chat GPT, you were able to get AI to write you letters, essays, heck, it can even write this post you're reading but rest assured, this one is coming straight from that grey matter in my head. Yes, AI is here to assist you, at the end of the day, AI can only do so much because its an ever evolving technology that feeds from information you give it. Apple recently at their event went through the various features their OS has with AI, by the way, they call it Apple Intelligence and not the global norm which is Artificial Intelligence. But Apple being Apple can do shit like that and the world will still be amazed. This however riled up the Android boys hence last night, Google decided to drop Gemini, their AI assistant that is available to use on all Android devices. Gemini is deeply integrated into Android and runs at its core, with the rest of the operating system being built around it, this they say will "redefine what phones can do". 

Yes, we've always had the interactive functions of "voice command" from Google before, but with Gemini it's become more streamlined and has a lot more functionality than before. With "Okay Google" command prompt it limited you to app based questions, while with Gemini, the command prompt is changed to a simple "Hello" and then you can ask it pretty much anything you want? What is great as per the above video, it can run through multiple apps to give you an answer with solutions and show you how to do it. For example, an email was sent to you to meet a person at a certain location at a certain time, the user asked Gemini for the info, it searched through Gmail for the specific email, found the time and location, opened Google Maps and told her how long it will take for her to get their with traffic information. This new personal assistant feature comes really handy for people on the go, to schedule appoints and reminders. 

As always, the big question comes about security, with so much information being fed into the Gemini, how sure are you that what you're telling it wont reach into the hands of those of others. Google says with its end-to-end approach to AI privacy on Android, all your personal information is secured. Google is using cutting-edge privacy technologies like Private Compute Core and federated learning to ensure the assistant experience with Gemini on Android is aligned with their existing Secure AI framework, AI Principles and Privacy Principles. They maintain they do no hand off to a third-party AI provider and everything on their ecosystem is in house. 

With Android global footprint on various devices, Gemini is the most widely available AI assistant, with this in mind, it supported in 45 languages in more than 200 countries and territories and its an ever growing platform with these figures only going to grow. Whether you're using Gemini on Pixel devices or Samsung devices, each brand has customized Gemini in various ways  to make it more comfortable for their user to experience.  Some stand out features will feature throughout the Android ecosystem like Samsung's "Circle to Search" is available on Gemini now and this is only the beginning. 

Bucket Tech: New AI tricks on the OPPO Reno12

If there's anything we've learned from AI, it is that with the right tools, you can streamline any task. This accessibility means anyone can leverage AI without needing subscriptions or additional fees. It's not just a tool for creative professionals. AI assists us with everyday tasks, making it an essential tool for anyone seeking efficiency and speed in their routines.

The OPPO Reno12 Pro is one of the first few in the market to put AI functionality in the palms of smartphone users. This flagship smartphone from OPPO is renowned for its advanced AI capabilities, high-quality camera, and sleek design. 

Here are five ways its AI Features can easily enhance the phone’s functionality.

AI Eraser

One of the main standout features of the OPPO Reno12 Pro is the AI Eraser, which helps users transform their photos with ease. It can effortlessly transform a flawed photo into perfection in just a second. No need to rely on social media edit experts to remove unwanted elements from your pictures, with AI eraser, users can erase any unwanted objects from the frame. This creates a sleek image with no disturbance, blurring or strangers.

With AI Eraser, users can quickly rectify any imperfections by simply tapping on the edit icon in the gallery, selecting the AI Eraser tool, and highlighting the item. It seamlessly erases anything from the photo, preserving the natural beauty of the scene. A peaceful sunset scene can be enhanced by erasing strangers walking across the frame, ensuring photos always reflect the vision intended.

Ultra Night Mode Photography

Ultra Night Mode on the Reno12 Pro is a game-changer enabling users to capture stunning photos even in challenging low-light conditions. Using OPPO’s GenAI to analyse the physical surrounding environments, Ultra Night Mode is able to automatically adjust the lighting of the images to perfectly preserve memories taken at a night-time market or low-lit concert. 

AI Beautification

The AI Beautification feature on the Reno12 Pro takes the “I woke up like this” effect to a new level without extensively modifying appearance.. It subtly enhances facial features to ensure the best look. Easily take video calls while working from home, as it touches up uneven skin tone or refreshes tired eyes, effortlessly boosting confidence in any situation. The developers understand that you may not always want to rely on this feature. Still, when you want to use it, you can just enable and customise AI Beautification by simply opening the camera app, switching to the front camera, selecting AI Beautification mode, and adjusting the settings to your preference. Additionally, it can retouch your appearance in video calls on both Whatsapp and MS Teams without activating this feature. 

AI Scene Enhancement

AI Scene Enhancement is another powerful feature of the Reno12 Pro. It elevates Instagram image aesthetics to professional quality. For different scenes, such as landscapes or food, the AI enhances the colours and sharpness, making nature photos more vibrant and food photos more appetising, allowing users to capture the intricate textures of a gourmet meal with friends. With AI Scene Enhancement, the camera automatically adjusts to highlight the food's texture and colour, making photos look professional and Instagram-ready.

AI-Powered Battery Management

Battery life is critical, especially in our fast-paced world.  Whether you are in meetings, watching TikToks, or staying connected with family you should not have to worry about your dying phone. The Reno12 Pro’s AI-powered battery management optimises power usage by adjusting screen brightness, timeout settings and closing unused background apps, signifying extending battery life. 

This intelligent system ensures users stay connected and productive throughout the day. By adapting to usage patterns, it conserves energy seamlessly, highlighting the importance of advanced battery management. 

The OPPO Reno12 Pro's AI features to enhance the daily smartphone experience, ensuring users get the most from the device with convenience and reliability

Bucket Tech: HONOR AI Innovations & Security

Global technology brand HONOR revealed two industry-leading on-device AI innovations created to empower individuals and introduce a new level of user safety. During its keynote at MWC Shanghai 2024, titled “The Human-AI Synergy: Intelligent Devices Will Empower People Better,” HONOR showcased its latest advancements in human-centric AI, AI Defocus Eye Protection[1] and AI Deepfake Detection. During the keynote session, the brand also reiterated its focus on human-centric on-device AI and its belief in the potential for AI-enabled hardware to empower users by delivering tailored services while protecting user privacy.

“AI is revolutionizing our lives and driving the smartphone industry forward, but much of the industry has focused on cloud-based AI, which is just a part of the puzzle. On-device AI, which is run on smartphones that understand us better than any other devices, is uniquely positioned to deliver services that are tailored to us and our preferences,” said George Zhao, CEO of HONOR Device Co., Ltd. “At HONOR, we believe on-device AI has the potential to empower users and become more capable in everything they do. We invite all industry players to join us as we explore the untapped potential of on-device AI.”

Evolving Eye Protection Technology from Prevention to Relief

Introducing the latest advancements in eye-protection technology, HONOR launched AI Defocus Eye Protection at MWC Shanghai. Noting the global increase in cases of nearsightedness caused by long-term screen usage, this technology leverages AI to simulate defocus glasses on the smart device’s display.

Wearing defocus glasses is proven to be conducive to eye health as they intentionally induce controlled defocus in the user’s peripheral visual field to help maintain clear central vision. This effect creates an altered visual perception that slows down the eye elongation process, which leads to nearsightedness. Taking eye protection from prevention to creating technology that can lead to relief for consumers, HONOR’s AI Defocus Eye Protection has been shown to decrease users’ transient myopia by 13 degrees on average after reading for 25 minutes, with some users experiencing a maximum reduction of 75 degrees.

Mitigating Fraud with AI Deepfake Detection

Circumventing the risks presented by cloud-based “deepfake” AI technology, HONOR has introduced AI Deepfake Detection. To help prevent fraud and detect digitally manipulated content, AI Deepfake Detection examines frame-by-frame information such as eye contact, lighting, image clarity, and video playback to identify flaws that are imperceptible to the human eyes.

Additionally, the AI Deepfake Detection has been trained through a large dataset of videos and images related to online scams, enabling the AI to perform identification, screening, and comparison within three seconds. If synthetic or altered content is detected by the feature, a risk warning is immediately issued to the user, deterring them from continued engagement with the potential scammers for their safety.

For more information, please visit HONOR online store at www.honor.com.

Bucket Tech: OPPO Reno 12 Series launched in SA

 

OPPO today announced the launch of the Reno12 Series, introducing advanced AI capabilities designed to enhance productivity and creativity for South Africans. This new series marks a significant milestone in OPPO's commitment to making AI Phones accessible to everyone.

The Reno12 Pro boasts a sleek, Futuristic Fluid Design with a High-Strength Alloy Framework, offering both style and robust protection against drops, pressure, and water.

Powered by the new 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7300 platform, the Reno12 Pro delivers exceptional power efficiency. It features a 5,000mAh battery with OPPO’s 80W SUPERVOOCTM Flash Charge technology, ensuring ultra-long battery life and lightning-fast charging. The battery can reach 32% in just 10 minutes and 100% in 46 minutes.

Equipped with a 50MP Telephoto Portrait Camera and a 50MP Selfie Camera, the Reno12 Pro takes mobile photography to the next level. The AI Portrait Retouching feature allows real-time adjustments for perfect selfies, while the AI Eraser removes unwanted elements from photos with a simple tap.

“At OPPO, we believe that everyone deserves AI. The Reno12 Pro, with its cutting-edge GenAI features and innovative design, is likely to be the first AI phone for many South Africans. We are democratising access to advanced technology by offering the best-in-market features at an unbeatable price. The Reno12 Pro sets a new standard in smartphone excellence, ensuring that top-tier AI capabilities are accessible to all.” says Liam Faurie, Head of Go-to-market & Operations at OPPO South Africa

Democratising AI 

Earlier this year, OPPO outlined its commitment to bring AI capabilities to everyone, not just those with high-end flagships but across its entire product category outside of just smartphones. In collaboration with tech giants like Google, Microsoft, MediaTek, and Qualcomm, OPPO is spearheading the arrival if new-generation AI phones. 

Breaking down the barriers of exclusivity traditionally associated with high-end devices, the Reno12 Pro marks a significant step forward in this journey. It introduces a suite of GenAI features for everyday uses. With the newly updated AI Eraser, users can effortlessly remove unwanted elements from photos. for creative minds, AI Studio can transform a single photo into digital avatard or artistic portraits, letting users image themselves in various personas such as Amapiano DJs, stars in a local soapie, or many other styles. 

The AI toolbox built on the Google Gemini 1.0 Ultra large language model (LLM), recognises on-screen content and suggests relevant AI tools, like social media content generation or article summaries. Additionally, the AI REcording Summary tool organises voice recordings into clear, actionable notes, making it easier to manage information on the go. 

“We are excited to be pushing boundaries with this device. By collaborating with industry leaders, and integrating AI across all our product lines, we are bringing top-tier technology to the market," says Faurie. 

Strong and Durable: Built to Withstand Water and Impact

The Reno12 Pro’s 6.7-inch, 120Hz OLED display delivers stunning visuals with vibrant colours and smooth motion, enhancing viewing experience for everything from streaming movies to gaming. Supporting up to 1.07 billion colours, this display brings content to life with exceptional clarity and richness.

The low blue light eye protection ensures comfortable viewing, reducing eye strain during extended use. This means you users can enjoy your favourite activities longer without discomfort.

The innovative Fluid Ripple Texture design not only looks stylish but also feels premium. Coupled with Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2, the Reno12 Pro offers superior durability, providing excellent resistance to impacts, drops, and scratches. This ensures that the phone remains protected and looks pristine, even with daily wear and tear.

The Reno12 Pro is designed to work seamlessly even when exposed to water, thanks to its IP65 rating and reinforced components. This makes it a reliable companion for all adventures, whether rain or shine.

Professional-Grade Photography with AI Precision

The Reno12 Pro’s Main Camera, featuring a Sony LYT-600 sensor with omnidirectional autofocus and optical image stabilisation (OIS), ensures the device gives clear, focused shots quickly. Its Portrait Mode with 2x zoom captures stunning, professional-quality portraits with beautiful background blur.

Taking portrait photography to the next level, the Reno12 Pro includes a 50MP Telephoto Portrait Camera and a 50MP Selfie Camera. The new AI Portrait Retouching feature allows users to make real-time adjustments to enhance facial features, ensuring every selfie looks perfect.

The enhanced Flash Snapshot feature automatically adjusts the camera settings for more natural lighting and skin tones. Plus, with 4K video recording at 30fps on both the rear and front cameras, you can capture your favorite moments in stunning high-definition.

Exceptional Performance and Efficiency with AI Optimisation

The Reno12 Pro is the first phone to feature the brand-new 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7300 platform, co-developed by MediaTek and OPPO. This platform delivers outstanding power efficiency and performance, thanks to its advanced octa-core design and innovative collaboration on system-on-chip (SoC), memory, and storage enhancements through the latest 

ColorOS Trinity Engine.

Using AI models to identify user scenarios, the Trinity Engine’s updated CPU-Vita engine smartly allocates resources, ensuring lower power consumption while maintaining system stability and smoothness. This means the phone runs efficiently, adapting to usage without wasting battery life.

The RAM-Vita engine optimises RAM utilisation, speeding up app launches and allowing users to switch between apps seamlessly. It can keep active background apps running smoothly for up to 72 hours. Additionally, OPPO’s RAM Expansion feature can convert 12GB of storage into temporary RAM, providing extra smoothness when needed.

The updated ROM-Vita engine compresses infrequently used apps and manages duplicate files, freeing up storage space and improving memory read/write speeds. This ensures that your phone remains fast and responsive, with plenty of room for your files and apps.

Longer battery life, faster charging

The Reno12 Pro comes with a 5,000mAh battery, providing extended battery life and over four years of optimal battery condition  without increasing the size of the battery or the phones. 

With support for OPPO’s 80W SUPERVOOCTM Flash Charge, this battery can be charged from 1% to 32% in just ten minutes, with a mere 46 minutes needed for a full 100% charge.

AI-Enhanced Connectivity for Reliable Performance

The Reno12 Pro features the latest generation of OPPO’s proprietary AI LinkBoost technology, designed to provide smooth, seamless, and steady connectivity. With nine individual antennas arranged in a 360° surround architecture, AI LinkBoost boosts signal reception and optimises network selection using a system-level AI model that adapts to network environment.

OPPO has conducted extensive local testing and optimisation worldwide to ensure stable connectivity. This includes reducing network latency in areas with weak signals or busy networks, enabling seamless transitions between WiFi and cellular networks, and accelerating signal recovery speeds when exiting elevators or basements.

For challenging situations like flying, commuting in tunnels or busy highways, or hiking Lion’s Head where mobile network coverage is unavailable, the Reno12 Pro introduces BeaconLink. 

This proprietary protocol boosts Bluetooth transmission, allowing one-to-one voice calls over distances of up to 200 meters without network coverage. While not currently available, this feature will be released in a future update.

“We are thrilled to introduce features like AI LinkBoost and BeaconLink in the Reno12 Pro, making it one of the most reliable smartphones on the market," says Faurie. "These innovations ensure that our users stay connected, no matter where they are, showcasing our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology that enhances everyday life.”

Pricing and availability

OPPO Reno12 Pro will be available at all local operators, at an RRP of R18 999 with contract prices starting from R 749 per month .

New models of the Reno12 series will be introduced in the coming months, with the Reno12FS arriving in July and the Reno12 F 4G hitting stores in August, offering a broader range of choices for customers

Bucket Tech: Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 with AI

Lenovo™ launched its latest mobile workstation offerings meticulously crafted to deliver the exceptional power and performance essential for handling complex workloads. Lenovo’s ThinkPad P1 Gen 7, P16v i Gen 2, P16s i Gen 3, and P14s i Gen 5, with their cutting-edge AI technologies, are set to transform the way professionals engage with AI workflows. By collaborating with industry partners, Intel®, NVIDIA®, and Micron®, Lenovo has introduced powerful and performance-packed AI PCs that meet the demands of modern-day AI-intensive tasks. The inclusion of the Intel® Core™ Ultra processors with their integrated neural processing unit (NPU) and NVIDIA RTX™ Ada Generation GPUs signifies a major advancement in AI technology, boosting overall performance and productivity capabilities.

The latest ThinkPad P series mobile workstations powered by Intel Core Ultra processors and NVIDIA RTX™ Ada Generation GPUs deliver flexible, high-performance, and energy-efficient AI-ready PCs. The integrated NPU is dedicated to handling light, continuous AI tasks, while the NVIDIA GPU runs more demanding day-to-day AI processing. This combination enables smooth and reliable functioning of AI technologies, serving professionals engaged in diverse tasks ranging from 3D modeling and scene development to AI inferencing and training.

"Designed with mobile-first professionals in mind, the newest Lenovo ThinkPad P series mobile workstations offer an ideal combination of workstation know-how, high levels of AI-ready performance, and true mobility,” said Rob Herman, Vice President, Worldwide Workstation and Client AI Business at Lenovo. “Representing the pinnacle of workstation innovation, the new ThinkPad P series laptops are built to power creative professionals, engineers, and data scientists through complex workflows, wherever they need to be.”

 ThinkPad P1 Gen 7: One of Lenovo’s Most Powerful AI Ready Mobile Workstations

The ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is Lenovo's ultraportable and high-performance mobile workstation designed for intensive machine learning tasks, providing the flexibility to work from any location. The premium aluminum construction of the device complements its powerful internals, showcasing cutting-edge AI technology. Equipped with the latest Intel® vPro, Evo™ Edition featuring Intel Core Ultra processors, integrated NPU, and up to the NVIDIA RTX™ 3000 Ada Generation laptop GPU, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 delivers incredible power and performance. By harnessing the collective strength of the CPU, NPU, and GPU, this Lenovo workstation is optimized to meet AI processing requirements effectively.

The new laptop features a liquid metal thermal design in select configurations which enhances cooling performance and long-term reliability, catering to critical workflows when complex tasks require maximum performance for extended periods. Equipped with a 16-inch display boasting a 16:10 aspect ratio, narrow bezels providing a 91.7% screen-to-body ratio, and the choice to configure an OLED touch screen, the ISV certified1 ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is the ideal device for content creators, data scientists, game developers, and CAD application specialists. Tailored to meet the needs of modern hybrid workers, the P1 Gen 7 includes features such as low blue light displays, Dolby Vision®, and color calibration for sharp, vivid images.

Furthermore, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is the world’s first mobile workstation2 to include LPDDR5x LPCAMM2 memory, up to 64GB. LPCAMM2, which is brought to market by Micron in collaboration with Lenovo, delivers one of the fastest energy efficient modular memory solutions for PCs. Consuming up to 61% less active power and with 64% space savings compared to DDR5 SODIMM3, LPCAMM2 delivers higher bandwidth and dual-channel support with a single module and is an ideal high-performance memory solution for mobile workstations and AI PC workloads.

Elevating AI-Ready Performance Levels with Lenovo ThinkPad P Series Workstations

Lenovo's AI-ready mobile workstations are a game-changer for user productivity across a wide range of industries. With their capability to turbocharge workflows, from data analysis to creative processes, these mobile workstations provide the accelerated power needed for even the most sophisticated workloads. Perfect for industries such as AEC, M&E, automotive, and healthcare, Lenovo's ThinkPad P series mobile workstations are transforming the way professionals work, providing efficiency and innovation in every task and are tailored to meet the emerging demands for AI model development and use cases.

The new ThinkPad P1 Gen 7, P16v i Gen 2, P16s i Gen 3 and P14s i Gen 5 mobile workstations are equipped with cutting-edge components that enable top-notch performance. Together with Intel, Lenovo has significantly enhanced the performance and capability of the latest ThinkPad P series by including the innovative Intel Core Ultra processors up to Core Ultra 9 185H. These processors boast a combined integrated multi-processor package consisting of the CPU, NPU, and integrated GPU, designed to optimize the performance of AI features in over 100 applications4.

“Lenovo’s latest ThinkPad P series mobile workstations are taking a significant step forward by featuring cutting-edge Intel Core Ultra processors equipped with a dedicated neural processing engine. Designed to enhance AI PC capabilities on laptops, this technology also improves performance, power efficiency and enables superior collaboration experiences, allowing users to be creative for longer periods without the need for constant charging.”  Roger Chandler, Vice President and General Manager, Enthusiast PC and Workstation Segment, Intel.

The Intel Core Ultra processors not only enhance the performance of AI features but also contribute to power efficiency. For example, the processors facilitate improved collaboration experiences such as AI-powered video conferencing, which includes background blur, face framing, and eye contact correction capabilities. The NPU effectively offloads these tasks from the CPU or GPU, resulting in up to a 40% reduction in power consumption5. Consequently, users can enjoy longer battery life reducing the need for frequent recharging.

For users requiring advanced AI and graphics processing capabilities for working with larger datasets without sacrificing performance, Lenovo’s latest mobile workstation lineup offers select models configured with up to the NVIDIA RTX 3000 Ada Generation laptop GPU, which provides 300 trillion operations per second6 (TOPS) to deliver huge gains in AI-powered productivity. NVIDIA RTX Ada Generation laptop GPUs with Tensor Core technology for AI processing offer powerful AI, ray-tracing, and graphics capabilities to tackle a variety of professional creative, design, and engineering workflows. NVIDIA AI Workbench gives data scientists and developers the freedom to work, manage, and collaborate across Lenovo laptops, workstations, and servers. With AI Workbench, Lenovo's AI-Ready mobile workstation enhances productivity and efficiency across various workflows - from data science to generative AI fine-tuning and inference.

Professional creators’ and data scientists’ most valuable commodity is time. Users can leverage GPU-accelerated AI to enhance workflows in a wide range of applications, including content creation, rendering, and business productivity tools. The seamless integration of NVIDIA RTX technology, with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, boosts the overall performance, enabling professionals to reduce time to outcome.

Lenovo’s AI-Ready ThinkPad Mobile Workstation Portfolio

In addition to performance, Lenovo workstations are known for their reliability and security. Lenovo prides itself in producing high-quality products that customers can depend on, day in and day out. The latest ThinkPad P series workstations are no exception, with rigorous MIL-SPEC testing to ensure that they can handle the most demanding work environments. The Lenovo ThinkShield suite of hardware and software solutions is perfect for the latest ThinkPad P series mobile workstations, providing both device and key information security. Features include the discrete Trusted Platform Module (dTPM) to encrypt user data and a self-healing BIOS to restore earlier system settings, if required.

Completing the Intel Core Ultra powered ThinkPad mobile workstation lineup, Lenovo also announced:

The Lenovo ThinkPad P16v i Gen 2, in a sleek chassis featuring a 16:10 aspect ratio 16-inch display for power users, bridges the gap between entry-level and high-end mobile workstations. Advanced cooling with a dual thermal outflow ensures maximum extended performance for large workloads and efficient multitasking. It includes support for up to the NVIDIA RTX 3000 Ada Generation laptop GPU, which excels in performance, agility, and cost efficiency, enabling innovators to process and analyze complex data in real-time.

Lenovo’s ThinkPad P16s i Gen 3 offers an ideal mix of power and performance in a thin and light 16-inch chassis, and the ThinkPad P14s i Gen 5 is one of Lenovo’s thinnest and lightest mobile workstations, with excellent configurability, expandability, and premium on-the-go performance in a 14.5-inch chassis with a 16:10 display. These sleek high-performance laptops support up to the NVIDIA RTX™ 500 Ada Generation laptop GPU,  and DDR5 memory, excelling in AI-accelerated processing, and workflows involving software applications such as AutoCAD®, Revit®, SolidWorks®, and more.

For more information on how Lenovo workstations are working toward a smarter, faster AI-ready future, visit https://techtoday.lenovo.com/us/en/workstations.

US Availability and Pricing7

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 will be available starting May 2024, with an expected starting price of $2,619.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16v i Gen 2 will be available starting April 2024, with an expected starting price of $2,279.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16s i Gen 3 will be available starting May 2024, with an expected starting price of $1,859.

Lenovo ThinkPad P14s i Gen 5 will be available starting Q2 2024, with an expected starting price of $1,829.

Bucket Tech: SAMSUNG Era of Mobile AI

The Galaxy S24 series has been the most rewarding period of my career. As an engineer, I have witnessed many examples of incredible innovations, but AI is the most transformative technology of the century. Few engineers get the chance to be involved in something with such seismic potential. It brings great change, not only for Samsung and the mobile industry but for all humankind.

When integrated into phones, AI is, to put it simply, a revolution. This is a new era for mobile experiences and Samsung Galaxy has a leading role to play in it. Mobile devices will become the primary access point for AI, and Samsung Galaxy — with our broad and comprehensive product portfolio, heritage of innovation and philosophy of open collaboration — is in a great position to accelerate its global expansion. We will make mobile AI easy to access and ignite new possibilities for all.

Opening Up New Possibilities

As we pioneer groundbreaking experiences in mobile AI, we’ve thought a lot about how this new and exciting technology can enhance our lives and inspire society’s next steps. Applied with care and consideration, Galaxy AI1 helps people communicate beyond borders, complete everyday tasks easily and so much more.

Since the launch of the Galaxy S24 series, we’ve had great feedback about how people actually use Galaxy AI features in their daily lives. One of the most welcomed AI features is Circle to Search2 with Google, an incredible new tool for intuitive discovery. Our communication tools for removing language barriers, such as Live Translate,3 Chat Assist4 and Interpreter, have captured the imagination of many. People also love Photo Assist, our tool for creativity powered by our ProVisual Engine.

Again, we’re only getting started. While developing the Galaxy S24 series, we had many ideas and concepts that we wanted to bring to life. Galaxy users will be able to enjoy more Galaxy AI features that build on these ideas and concepts over time as Samsung continuously enhances and grows the mobile AI experience.5

Moreover, we are already planning next steps for Galaxy AI beyond smartphones — optimizing it for various categories of devices across various services. In the near future, select Galaxy wearables will use AI to enhance digital health and unlock a whole new era of expanded, intelligent health experiences. Samsung will keep enriching and expanding Galaxy AI experiences across categories through collaborations with more industry-leading AI partners.

The Next Big Thing Is YOU

Over the past year, we frequently asked ourselves what users want or need and what they could achieve with a little assistance. These questions inspired the Galaxy S24 series, our first AI phone that invites users to imagine how their lives could change thanks to AI. It is the phone of the future — shaping the standard of mobile AI and defining this emerging category of AI phones.

Of course, there are challenges and responsibilities to consider. AI models in training are still susceptible to hallucinations, and the debate on intellectual property rights continues. It is crucial that companies openly collaborate to carefully define AI experiences, so users can confidently and reliably enjoy their new abilities.

It’s also important to raise the standards of security and privacy in this new era of data-intensive mobile experiences. That is one of the reasons we’ve taken a hybrid approach that combines on-device and cloud-based AI. Besides ensuring seamless usability, this lets users limit some features to function entirely on-device, giving them greater control over what they do with their data. We remain committed to enhancing Galaxy device security and privacy by providing users with transparency and choice.

In this new era of mobile AI, it is no longer a question of what any phone can do, but what individuals can achieve with the right tools. The Galaxy S24 series provides just some of those tools and I can’t wait to see what you will do with them. It is you who decides what’s possible, useful and meaningful. The next chapter of mobile experiences does not belong to us. It belongs to you, our Samsung Galaxy users.

Bucket Tech: OPPO Air Glass 3 and more from MWC 2024

The OPPO Air Glass 3 also supports touch interaction, which can be used to easily control functions such as music playback, voice calls, information display, color image browsing, and more. The glasses also feature reverse sound field technology, an open acoustic design with four microphones, and other innovations that improve noise isolation to deliver high audio quality and enhanced privacy protection.

 

Embracing AI with the new OPPO AI Center

AI has long been a core area of investment and development for OPPO, and the company is now taking a number of steps to elevate AI to the core of its long-term growth strategy. On February 20, OPPO established the OPPO AI Center — a new hub designed to better focus the company’s resources towards R&D in AI and drive cutting-edge, user-centric exploration of technology and applications that aim to bring the benefits of AI to everyone. 

As part of this commitment, OPPO Reno11 Series and the OPPO Find N3 in global markets will be equipped with an array of generative AI features, including OPPO AI Eraser, within the second quarter of 2024. In the future, OPPO will integrate generative AI features into more OPPO products in the global markets, including the next generation of the Reno series, allowing more users to experience the smart, powerful, and convenient lifestyle empowered by AI.

As of December 31, 2023, OPPO has filed over 3,160 global patents related to AI. Drawing on years of technical experience in AI, OPPO recently released the AI Smartphone White Paper, providing a comprehensive analysis and outlook on future trends and key applications in AI. The white paper points out that AI Smartphones will replace traditional smartphones to trigger a new revolution in the mobile phone industry. With the widespread adoption of AI, the entire industry will undergo various upgrades and expansions, creating a new AI Smartphone ecosystem encompassing the development of computing resources, function modules, native AI services, LLM, and AI agents.

Building an AI ecosystem through collaborative innovation

A mature AI ecosystem requires open collaboration throughout the industry. As part of its commitment to supporting the creation of this ecosystem, OPPO’s efforts in AI extend far beyond its own innovations to encompass a diverse portfolio of collaborations with a range of global partners.

At this year’s MWC, OPPO is joining motion vision sensor startup, AlpsenTek, and Qualcomm Technologies to showcase the trio’s collaborative efforts to pioneer the use of Hybrid Vision Sensing technologies featuring the new AI Motion algorithm. Developed under OPPO’s lead, AI Motion can perform image deblurring and high frame rate image interpolation for use in high-speed cameras based on a combination of traditional RBG image data and event vision sensing (EVS) motion data. Using AI Motion, smartphones offer advanced solutions to address image and photo blur, enabling the capture of true 960fps slow-motion videos in 4K resolution. Leveraging EVS data for precise moving object alignment between frames enhances both dynamic range and resolution. This technological integration opens up exciting possibilities in image and video capture, elevating the potential for creative content creation.

Ren Yan, Director of Open Innovation Europe, OPPO, introducing AlpsenTek and other startups

OPPO’s leading technologies and products garner industry recognition for AI capabilities

At OPPO ODC 2023, the company released its first self-trained generative AI model, AndesGPT, featuring dialogue enhancement, personalization, and cloud-device collaboration. Drawing on the capabilities of AndesGPT, OPPO has introduced a new AI Eraser feature on the new OPPO Find X7 Series. Visitors to the Qualcomm Technologies booth at this year’s MWC will be able to experience the impressive effects created by AI Eraser and the powerful imaging performance of the OPPO Find X7 Ultra. While at the MediaTek booth, OPPO showcased the application of AI Eraser feature on the OPPO Find X7.

OPPO Find X7 Ultra and OPPO Find N3 at Qualcomm booth

Meanwhile, a series of OPPO innovative products, including the OPPO Find X7 Ultra and the Find N3 series, is also being showcased at Google’s Android Partner Walk, demonstrating the comprehensive cooperation between OPPO and Google in creating smarter user experiences over the years.

During the event, OPPO and Microsoft announced that they will work closely together and explore AI technology to enhance user experience on different devices. Soon through Microsoft Link to Windows and a new plugin, OPPO users will be able to use Copilot to generate content, translate text messages, and search addresses on their smartphones via a connected PC. 

OPPO Inspiration Zone

With the startup community also playing a critical role in the development of AI and other cutting-edge technologies, OPPO is taking the opportunity at MWC 4YFN to introduce six startup teams at the OPPO Inspiration Zone. Among the technologies to be demonstrated by the startups include contactless health monitoring technology, an intelligent diagnosis system for heart and lung auscultation, an AR game, and other applications that showcase the vast potential implementation of AI technologies. 

Under its mission of "Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World", OPPO will continue to invest in the development and application of AI, working closely with partners around the world to introduce more industry-leading products and services that bring enhanced mobile experiences to users while creating a more open and advanced global technology ecosystem.

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy S24 Series

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., has proudly unveiled the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24, unleashing new mobile experiences with Galaxy AI. This ground-breaking Galaxy S Series is paving the way into a new era that will forever change how mobile devices empower users.

AI amplifies nearly every experience on Galaxy S24 series, from enabling barrier-free communication with intelligent text and call translations, to maximizing creative freedom with Galaxy’s ProVisual Engine, to setting a new standard for search that will change how Galaxy users discover the world around them.

The global electronics giant is also thrilled to announce the pre-order availability of its highly anticipated AI-powered Galaxy S24 Series. Officially hitting the South African market on Friday, 14 February 2024, local customers can secure their Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+, or Galaxy S24 during the pre-order offer period, which opens on January 31 and runs through to 29 February 2024. Customers who pre-order any device from the Galaxy S24 Series through participating mobile operators can get a Galaxy Tab S9 FE, starting from just R99 per month.

“The Galaxy S24 Series transforms our connection with the world and ignites the next decade of mobile innovation,” said: TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. "Galaxy AI is built on our innovation heritage and deep understanding of how people use their phones. We are excited to see how our users around the world empower their everyday lives with Galaxy AI to open up new possibilities.”   

 Make Every Day Experiences Epic

Galaxy AI introduces meaningful intelligence aimed at enhancing every part of life, especially the phone’s most fundamental role: communication. When you need to defy language barriers, Galaxy S24 makes it easier than ever.

Chat with another student or colleague from abroad. Book a reservation while on vacation in another country. It is all possible with Live Translate, two-way, real-time voice and text translations of phone calls within the native app. No third-party apps are required, and on-device AI keeps conversations completely private.

With Interpreter, live conversations can be instantly translated on a split-screen view so people standing opposite each other can read a text transcription of what the other person has said. It even works without cellular data or Wi-Fi. For messages and other apps, Chat Assist can help perfect conversational tones to ensure communication sounds as it was intended: like a polite message to a co-worker or a short and catchy phrase for a social media caption.

AI built into Samsung Keyboard can also translate messages in real-time in 13 languages. In the car, Android Auto will automatically summarise incoming messages and suggest relevant replies and actions, like sending someone your ETA, so you can stay connected while staying focused on the road.

Organisation also gets a big boost with Note Assist[vi] in Samsung Notes, featuring AI-generated summaries, template creation that streamlines notes with pre-made formats, and cover creation to make notes easy to spot with a brief preview. For voice recordings, even when there are multiple speakers, Transcript Assist[vii] uses AI and Speech-to-Text technology to transcribe, summarise and even translate recordings.

Communication is not the only way Galaxy S24 Series takes the fundamental benefits of the phone into the future. Online search has transformed nearly every aspect of life. Galaxy S24 marks another milestone in the history of search as the innovative phone to debut intuitive, gesture-driven Circle to Search[viii] with Google. To give Galaxy users an incredible new tool, Galaxy turned to one of the worldwide trailblazers of search, Google, and opened up new forms of discovery with a simple gesture.

With a long press on the home button, users can circle, highlight, scribble on, or tap anything on Galaxy S24’s screen to see helpful, high-quality search results. Seeing a beautiful landmark in the background of a friend’s social media post or a surprising fun fact on YouTube Shorts can quickly become an accurate search to learn more – without having to leave that app. And depending on a user‘s location, for certain searches, generative AI-powered overviews can provide helpful information and context pulled together from across the web, and users can ask more complex and nuanced questions. It is that easy. And that epic.

 

Unleash Creativity to Discover the World in New Ways

Galaxy S24 Series’s ProVisual Engine is a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools that transform image capturing abilities and maximise creative freedom every step of the way, from setting up a shot all the way to sharing it on social. Gone are shaky, pixelated images taken from far away. Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Quad Tele System, with new 5x optical zoom lens, works with the 50MP sensor to enable optical-quality performance at zoom levels from 2x, 3x, 5x to 10x magnification thanks to Adaptive Pixel Sensor. Images also show crystal clear results at 100x with enhanced digital zoom.

With upgraded Nightography capabilities, photos and videos shot on Galaxy S24 Space Zoom are brilliant in any conditions, even when zoomed in. Capture more light in dim conditions with Galaxy S24 Ultra’s larger pixel size, now 1.4 μm, which is 60% bigger  compared to the previous model. Blur is reduced on Galaxy S24 Ultra with wider optical image stabiliser (OIS) angles and enhanced hand-shake compensation.

When recording videos, both front and rear cameras are equipped with Dedicated ISP Block for noise reduction, and Galaxy S24 analyses gyro information to distinguish between the filmer’s movement and the subject’s. This allows more effective noise removal and clear videos in the dark, even from far away.

After great shots are captured, innovative Galaxy AI editing tools enable simple edits like erase, re-compose, and remaster. For easier and more efficient optimisations, Edit Suggestion uses Galaxy AI to suggest perfectly suitable tweaks for each photo. To give users even more creative control and freedom, Generative Edit can fill in parts of an image background with generative AI. When a picture is crooked, AI will fill in the borders.

When an object needs to be slightly moved to be in the perfect position, AI lets users adjust the position of the subject and generates a blended background in its original spot. Anytime Galaxy S24 deploys generative AI to amplify an image, a watermark will appear on the image and in metadata. And if an action-packed video needs to be slowed down, new Instant Slow-mo can generate additional frames based on movements to smoothly slow down action-packed moments for a more detailed look.

To ensure every image stuns at every stage, Super HDR reveals lifelike previews before the shutter is ever pressed. And while capturing memories is an essential phone feature, sharing memories with the world is just as meaningful. Now, third-party social apps make the most of Galaxy’s AI-powered camera system.

Premium Galaxy S Series camera features now integrate directly with mobile apps in HDR to level up social sharing. When it is time to find an image in Gallery or Instagram feed and reels, photos and videos are also shown in Super HDR for a more lifelike range of brightness, colour and contrast by analysing highlighted section of the images.

Galaxy’s Most Intelligent Experience Ever, Powered by Premium Performance

As AI becomes a more prominent part of everyday life, performance power must excel to meet the demands. Gaming. Heavy-duty video recording and editing. Jumping between five apps to plan a trip. Whatever the task, Galaxy S24 provides an incredible experience thanks to enhancements in its chipset[xv], display and more. Every Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy.

Optimised especially for Galaxy users, this chipset delivers remarkable NPU improvement for incredibly efficient AI processing. In all three Galaxy S24 models, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rates also improve performance efficiency. Galaxy gaming is more powerful thanks to hardware and software improvements. Galaxy S24 Ultra boast an optimal thermal control system with a1.9 times larger vapor chamber, improving device surface temperature, while also maximising sustained performance power.

Ray tracing enables lifelike visuals with superior shadow and reflection effect. And through collaboration with formidable gaming partners, Galaxy S24 let users enjoy more optimised, popular global mobile games. Visuals are more vibrant and captivating on the brightest Galaxy display ever. Galaxy S24 reaches 2,600nit peak brightness and delivers improved outdoor visibility with Vision Booster.

On the display, Corning® Gorilla® Armor on the Galaxy S24 Ultra is optically enhanced and strives to demonstrate superior durability against damage caused by every day scratches. It delivers dramatically reduced reflection by up to 75% in a wide range of lighting conditions, ensuring a smooth, comfortable viewing experience. Across the Galaxy S24 Series, design enhancements with slimmer and even bezels make it easier to immerse in any viewing experience and enable larger screen sizes on Galaxy S24+’s 6.7-inch and Galaxy S24’s 6.2-inch displays within nearly the same size specifications. Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 6.8-inch flatter display, optimised not just for viewing but also for productivity. Plus, Galaxy S24+ now supports the same level of QHD+ found on Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Advanced Security and Privacy Empowers User Choice and Trust

Secured by Samsung Knox, Galaxy’s defense-grade, multi-layer security platform, Galaxy S24 safeguards critical information and protects against vulnerabilities with end-to-end secure hardware, real-time threat detection and collaborative protection. Samsung’s long-standing commitment to provide users choice and control over their device continues in the era of AI. Galaxy S24 users have full controllability over how much they allow their data to enhance AI experiences, through Advanced Intelligence settings, which can disable online processing of data for AI features.

The Knox Matrix vision of a secure, connected and password-less future is also advanced with passkeys. Passkeys enable convenient and secure access to a users’ registered websites and apps across all their trusted devices through digital credentials, helping protect against phishing attacks.

Enhanced Data Protection offers end-to-end encryption when users backup, sync or restore their data with Samsung Cloud, allowing Galaxy S24 users to connect to other devices while staying synchronised and secure. This is in an effort to ensure that data can only be encrypted or decrypted on a user’s devices, meaning nobody can see it but the user, even if a server is compromised or account details are stolen. And if access to a trusted device is lost, a recovery code can help prevent loss of data.

Galaxy S24 is also protected with Samsung’s expansive list of innovative security and privacy features including Knox Vault, Security & Privacy Dashboard, Auto Blocker, Secure Wi-Fi, Private Share, Maintenance Mode and more.

The Next Phase of Samsung’s Environmental Journey

Establishing a new category of mobile experiences also means re-imagining how Galaxy technology is designed and packaged to do more with less for people and the planet. Galaxy S24 continues to scale the variety of recycled materials in Galaxy devices by applying recycled plastics, glass and aluminium to internal and external components.

It also takes these efforts one step further. For the first time, Galaxy S24 features components made with recycled cobalt and rare earth elements. In Galaxy S24 Ultra, a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt was used in the battery, and 100% recycled rare earth elements were incorporated into the speakers. Galaxy S24 is also the first Galaxy S Series to be designed with recycled steel and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). Galaxy S24 Ultra features a minimum of 40% recycled steel in the speakers, and it includes a minimum of 10% pre-consumer recycled TPU in the side and volume keys. Additionally, every Galaxy S24 comes in a packaging box made from 100% recycled paper material.

The latest flagship continues Samsung’s commitment to extending the product lifecycle, offering seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates to help users reliably experience the optimised performance of their Galaxy devices for even longer[xxviii]. Lastly, Galaxy S24 is UL ECOLOGO® certified, and its carbon footprint has been measured and verified by The Carbon Trust.

Galaxy S24 is a demonstration of progress against Samsung MX’s environmental roadmap. Samsung remains steadfast in delivering on its set of goals to be achieved by the end of 2025. At the end of 2022, Samsung achieved the first of these goals by incorporating recycled materials in all mobile products, from Galaxy smartphones and tablets to PCs and wearables. Today, the company is setting a new recycled material goal. By 2030, Samsung will incorporate at least one recycled material in every module of every mobile product.

Precision Technology and Elegance in Every Detail

Galaxy S24 Ultra is the first-ever Galaxy phone to feature a titanium frame[xxxiii], enhancing device durability and longevity. Galaxy S24 Ultra’s significantly thinner body enables better on-the-go experience with more comfortable grip. On Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24, a streamlined One-mass design satisfies a more aesthetic standard with seamless connection between the device’s rear cover and side frame.

The Galaxy S24 series comes in Earth mineral-inspired colour tones. On Galaxy S24 Ultra, colours include: Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet and Titanium Yellow. On Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 colours include: Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet and Amber Yellow. All three models will come with additional colours available online only.

Additionally, Samsung is offering a trade-in option. Customers who pre-order any device through retail or cash channels, including the Samsung eStore, Samsung Brand Stores, Incredible Connection, Game, Makro, will Take-A-Lot, and receive a generous R4000 in-store voucher or an impressive R10,000 trade-in cash back.

As part of the special-pre-order offer, customers can opt for one year of Samsung Care Plus at a reduced rate of R499. This exclusive offer includes one screen replacement within a year from the date of purchase, providing customers with peace of mind. Activation of the Samsung Care Plus offer must occur within 30 days of purchase