All the Android updates coming to the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and more

Jan 22, 2025

[[read-time]] min read

New AI capabilities, accessibility updates and features for families — check out everything we announced at Galaxy Unpacked.

Menaka Shroff

Senior Director, Global Android Marketing

Gemini prompt box with “Ask Google Gemini” text. Around is a collection of features and UI components like a black watch, a Gemini Live conversation, a sports score on a Now Bar, and a Circle to Search result with AI Overview in a Galaxy S25 Ultra device.

Today at Galaxy Unpacked in San Jose, we showed you how we’re continuing to reimagine the Android smartphone experience with AI at the core. Together with Samsung, here are all the Android updates we’re bringing to the Galaxy S25 series and more.

1. Experience the power of Gemini in more ways

With Gemini on Android, you get a more powerful mobile assistant that provides contextual help based on what's on your screen. And now, Gemini is easily accessible on your Samsung devices, with a simple press of the side button¹.

Ready. Press. Gemini.

Extensions ² in Gemini tap into apps and services across your device, helping you quickly complete tasks. In addition to Google Maps, YouTube, Google Messages, Spotify and more, we’re introducing new Gemini Extensions for Samsung Reminder, Samsung Calendar, Samsung Notes and Samsung Clock. This means you can ask Gemini to tell you about an upcoming appointment, save a note or set a reminder.

In a single prompt, you can now ask Gemini to take multiple actions across apps and services. For example, if you're looking for outdoor restaurants nearby and want to share the options with a friend, Gemini can connect to Google Maps to find the perfect spots and draft a ready-to-send text via Google Messages.

Gemini Live³ is a conversational experience that helps you brainstorm ideas, simplify complex topics and rehearse for important moments with real-time, spoken responses. Starting to roll out today, you can now add images, files and YouTube videos to the conversation, making Gemini Live more multimodal, personal and contextual to you.

2. Stay up to date on sports and directions with Galaxy S25’s Now Bar

Galaxy S25’s Now Bar brings relevant updates right to your lock screen. For sports fans, Galaxy S25’s Now Bar will ensure you are clued into all the action by bringing key match updates about the teams you follow on Google right to your lock screen. With a single glance at your phone, you'll know when a match is on and be able to follow live⁴ with scores and more. If you want to dive deeper, simply tap the card to get perspectives, stats and news on Google Search.

A sport score of 1-0 is shown on the lock screen.

With Google Maps in the Now Bar, you can also save time and stay on schedule. See directions at a glance when you’re on the go and get timely notifications on events, like when to leave for an appointment based on current traffic.

3. Get more helpful information with AI Overviews and one-tap actions in Circle to Search

Last year, we launched Circle to Search as a new way to search anything on your phone without having to switch between apps.

Today, we’re expanding AI Overviews to even more visual searches on Circle to Search so you can quickly and easily see a snapshot of information about your search with links to learn more from the web. Whether you circle an image of a viral dish, a landmark or a rare antique you saw online, you’ll get an AI Overview for more responses — so you can find what you need, faster and more effortlessly.

And Circle to Search⁵now has one-tap actions, so it’s easier to get things done on your phone. Circle to Search automatically identifies phone numbers, email addresses and URLs on your screen. Simply tap the chip that appears to call, email or visit a website.

Circle to Search is invoked and an action chip showing a phone icon appears over a phone number.

4. Enjoy improved hearing aid and braille display experiences on Android

For people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, we’ve brought LE audio features, the next generation of Bluetooth, to Galaxy S25 devices. This update enables hands-free calling, easy-to-use personalized audio adjustments and a low-latency connection to GN Hearing and Oticon Intent hearing aids when paired with a Galaxy S25 device using Android 15.

Android phone settings with hearing aid controls including altering presets to outdoors and the charge level of right and left.

And for people who are blind or have low vision, TalkBack 15 on Galaxy S25 devices will now be compatible with braille displays that use HID, a popular way to connect to Bluetooth devices. Following feedback from the community, this compatibility will ensure people can use their braille displays without additional steps, making Galaxy S25 devices even more accessible. In the coming weeks, TalkBack on Galaxy S25 devices will also provide more detailed image descriptions, powered by Gemini models.

5. Stay connected with the Galaxy Watch for Kids experience

With Google Family Link, parents can use their phone to set up and manage Galaxy Watch7 LTE smartwatches with a Galaxy Watch for Kids experience. This allows parents to approve contacts, monitor their child’s watch’s location, manage apps and set up school time to limit distractions during school hours.

This update starts rolling out today in the U.S. with support from major carriers including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Three Galaxy Watch7 LTEs with colorful kids bands featuring watch faces from Groot, Crayola and Barbie.

Learn more about Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 smartphones now.

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Availability may vary by device, country and language. Results are for illustrative purposes and may vary. Check responses for accuracy. Internet connection and compatible operating system required.

Features may differ depending on device or subscription and results may vary. Some extensions require setup. Country availability may vary. Check responses for accuracy.

Compatible with certain features and with certain accounts. Internet connection required. Available on select devices, languages, and countries. Results for illustrative purposes and may vary. Check responses for accuracy.

Requires Google account and Internet connection. Available on select devices and availability varies by sport, league, language and is based on the user’s device settings.

Available on select devices and internet connection required. Works on compatible apps and surfaces. Results may vary depending on visual matches. Results are for illustrative purposes and may vary. Check responses for accuracy.