Samsung’s recent Galaxy Unpacked event emphasized AI advancements, particularly the new Now Brief feature in One UI 7. Promoted as a personal assistant for Galaxy S25 users, Now Brief raises questions about availability on older Samsung flagships. This article explores the reasons behind this potential incompatibility and what it means for Galaxy owners.
One UI 7’s focus on personalized AI, including Now Brief, requires robust on-device processing power. This is due to Samsung’s “Personal data engine,” which prioritizes user privacy by handling sensitive data locally within an encrypted vault. This approach prevents data uploads to the cloud, minimizing the risk of leaks and unauthorized access.
Hyesoon Jeong, Executive VP of Framework R&D at Samsung Mobile, recently discussed Samsung’s commitment to personalized, on-device AI. This strategy, while enhancing security, demands powerful chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Elite to handle the intensive processing.
On-Device Processing and Hardware Requirements
The Galaxy S25 series utilizes an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, optimized for neural processing. This enhancement allows features like Now Brief to integrate data from various apps seamlessly. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the user’s activities and anticipate their needs, as explained by a Samsung executive to MaagX.
However, this focus on on-device AI presents a challenge for older Galaxy devices. Jeong suggested that the Galaxy S24 and earlier models might lack the necessary hardware to support features like Now Brief. This implies that future AI advancements could necessitate upgrades, mirroring Apple’s approach with Apple Intelligence. While Samsung promises seven Android updates, the exclusion of key AI features diminishes the appeal for older device owners.
Cloud-Based AI Features Still Supported
Fortunately, not all AI features are affected. Cloud-based functionalities like Circle to Search will continue to receive updates and support on older devices. This distinction highlights the trade-off between enhanced privacy with on-device processing and broader compatibility with cloud-based alternatives.
Is Now Brief Worth the Upgrade?
Initial impressions of Now Brief suggest it might not live up to Samsung’s ambitious claims. Therefore, Galaxy S24 and older device owners might not be missing out on a truly revolutionary experience, at least for now. MaagX will provide updates if the situation changes in the future.
