Samsung broadens AI language coverage across its Galaxy ecosystem
In a move aimed at making its on‑device AI tools more inclusive, Samsung announced a software update that adds several new languages to both Galaxy AI and its Bixby voice assistant. The changes are being pushed to compatible Galaxy smartphones and tablets from 14 October 2026, with additional language packs becoming available in the weeks that follow.
What’s new for Galaxy AI?
Galaxy AI is the umbrella term Samsung uses for a suite of context‑aware features that help users translate, transcribe and summarise content without leaving the device. The latest update expands the language list for four core functions:
- Call Assist – real‑time translation during phone calls
- Note Assist – on‑the‑fly translation of handwritten or typed notes
- Interpreter – live camera‑based translation of printed text
- Transcript Assist – automatic transcription of spoken audio
Both Hungarian and Malay have been added to these services, pushing the total number of supported languages for Live Translate‑type features to 24. The full roster now includes major tongues such as Arabic, Chinese (multiple regions), Dutch, English (AU, IN, UK, US), French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and more.
Now Nudge gets multilingual too
The Now Nudge feature, which analyses what’s on screen and suggests the next logical action (for example, offering to set a reminder after you view a calendar event), also receives a language boost. Eight additional languages – Dutch, Filipino, Gujarati, Hungarian, Malay, Romanian, Swedish and Turkish – have been added, matching the 24‑language count of the translation tools.
Bixby’s language portfolio expands to 12
Bixby, Samsung’s conversational device agent, has traditionally been limited to a handful of languages. The update introduces Polish, Thai and Vietnamese, bringing the total supported languages to 12. This means users in Poland, Thailand and Vietnam can now ask Bixby to adjust settings, launch apps or answer queries using natural speech, without needing to remember exact menu names.
"Bixby now supports 12 languages," Samsung’s press release notes, highlighting the broader reach of its voice‑first interface.
The new Bixby languages start rolling out on the same day as the Galaxy AI update – 14 October – while the AI language packs will appear in the Settings → Language and input → Download language packs section over the following weeks.
Why this matters for UK Android shoppers
For UK customers, the most immediate benefit is the inclusion of Hungarian and Malay in the translation suite. While these aren’t primary languages in the UK, many expatriates, students and business travellers rely on Samsung devices for cross‑border communication. The expanded Now Nudge support also means the assistant can understand more of the content you encounter on the screen, potentially speeding up everyday tasks.
Bixby’s new languages may not directly affect most UK users, but the broader language base signals Samsung’s intent to make the assistant a viable alternative to Google Assistant for non‑English speakers. If you’re considering a Galaxy device on a contract, the enhanced AI capabilities could be a differentiator, especially on mid‑range models that now receive the same software upgrades as flagship phones.
Devices that will receive the update
Samsung states that the rollout applies to all recent Galaxy smartphones and tablets that support One UI 9, including:
- Galaxy S24 series
- Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5
- Galaxy A54, A74 and other A‑series models released in 2024‑2025
- Galaxy Tab S9 series
Older devices that are still on One UI 8.5 may receive a back‑port, but Samsung has not confirmed specifics. Users should ensure they are logged into a Samsung Account and have an active data connection for the language packs to download.
How to enable the new languages
- Open Settings on your Galaxy device.
- Navigate to General management → Language and input → Download language packs.
- Locate the newly listed languages (e.g., Hungarian, Malay, Polish) and tap Download.
- For Bixby, go to Bixby settings → Language and select the newly available options.
- Restart the device if prompted to apply the changes.
Potential limitations
Samsung cautions that the AI services rely on a data connection and may be restricted in certain power‑saving modes, during calls, or when recording media. Accents, dialects and background noise can also affect accuracy, meaning the experience may vary from user to user.
Looking ahead
The press release hints that Samsung could add more languages in future updates, though no timetable is provided. Given the competitive pressure from Google’s multilingual AI features and Apple’s on‑device translation, Samsung’s incremental approach appears aimed at keeping its ecosystem relevant for a global audience.
For UK consumers hunting for a contract‑friendly Android phone, the expanded language support reinforces Samsung’s claim that its AI tools are becoming more universally usable. When comparing deals, consider whether the carrier’s contract includes the latest One UI version, as that will determine when you receive these enhancements.
Source: Samsung Mobile Press, 14 October 2026
