Samsung’s Android phones usually have enough differences from Google’s mobile operating system to complicate writing instructions on how. But the Korean conglomerate’s Unpacked event on Wednesday featured Google bringing a number of Android features directly to Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 series phones.
They start with the side button that Samsung enabled on previous Galaxy phones Bixby Assistantthen they were used in later models Google Assistant. On the S25, that button displays Google’s AI twinsthough you can reset it to use those other helper apps.
Samsung Galaxy S25 family (Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
of Google proclamation highlights how this shortcut access to Gemini can send requests and instructions to other apps through it expansions. For example, relying on Google Maps for suitable restaurants and then drafting a text that lists them in Google Messages.
This S25 will also support Gemini Live’s new chat mode ability to analyze photos, files and YouTube clips, but it’s not alone in this: A special post on Google notes that this feature is also coming to Galaxy S24 series and Google Pixel 9 seriesto be followed by “more Android devices in the coming weeks”.
The Now Bar feature on the S25 phones’ lock screens, meanwhile, will display game updates provided by Google to your designated teams, as well Google Maps instructions and notifications (although you can already choose to have “visible instructions” from that app appear on your lock screen).
of Circle to search the feature that Google introduced last January is also getting new features, in the form of expanded AI Summary search results (which you still need double check by following the source links) and one-touch actions that can, for example, initiate a phone call with a tap of the phone icon chip that will appear above a phone number.
Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra: Hands On
Accessibility improvements for S25, S24 and Pixel 9
Google’s unboxing smartphone news wraps up with accessibility improvements. For hearing impaired users, Android Bluetooth LE audio the software will allow for “hands-free calls, easy-to-use custom audio adjustments, and a low-latency connection to GN Hearing and Oticon Intent hearing aids,” Google says. And for those with limited or no vision, Android TalkBack screen reader will support faster pairing with Braille displays that use the HID (“human interface device”) protocol to connect to S25 phones via Bluetooth.
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or special, short post on Google about these accessibility improvements reveals they won’t be exclusive to the S25: Hearing aid features will come to Pixel 9 phones that use Android 16 beta as well as the Galaxy S24 phones they use Android 15 current “in the coming weeks,” while Google plans to make the screen reader improvements available to all phones and tablets running Android 15 “over the coming months.”
Finally, Google’s Family Link app will support a new Galaxy Watch for Kids experience Samsung’s LTE 7 Watch. This is a Samsung exclusive, as you’ll need a recent Galaxy phone to set it up; SEE our overview of this feature for more.
One of The most valuable features of Androidhowever, it’s still not coming to the S25 or any other Samsung phones: Hold For Me feature that frees Pixel phone users from having to listen to music on hold and reminders of how valuable their call is.
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About Rob Pegoraro
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