Samsung's AI-Packed Android 16 Beta: A Closer Look

Samsung has rolled out an early preview of Android 16 for its Galaxy S25 series. This beta version, known as One UI 8, is available in a few countries. Users in the US, Germany, Korea, and the UK can sign up through the Samsung Members app. The update is significant, weighing in at 3. 4GB, but the installation process is straightforward and quick. It's important to note that the beta is compatible with the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. Unfortunately, the S25 Edge is left out for now. The main highlight of this update is the increased AI integration. Samsung promises "multimodal capabilities, " a user experience tailored to different devices, and personalized suggestions. However, after some hands-on time, it's clear that the changes are subtle. The AI features don't seem to offer much more than before. The Galaxy S25 series introduced a feature called Now Brief, along with a widget named Now Bar. The idea was to gather user data, process it securely, and provide useful suggestions. In practice, it often falls short. It mainly shows weather updates, calendar events, and news articles that may not be relevant. There were rumors of an audio version of Now Brief, but it's not included in this beta. The beta signup process is simple. Users just need to open the Samsung Members app and follow the prompts. The update should appear on the device within minutes. While the installation is quick, it's always a good idea to back up data before trying out beta software. This is especially true for something as significant as a new operating system. Samsung's push for more AI in its devices is evident, but the execution leaves something to be desired. The company has been investing heavily in AI, aiming to make its devices smarter and more intuitive. However, the results so far are underwhelming. It's clear that there's still work to be done to make these AI features truly useful.