Samsung has finally expanded the availability of its AI-powered lock screen feature, Now Brief, to the Galaxy S24 series through the latest One UI 8 beta update. Previously, the feature was exclusive to the Galaxy S25 lineup, leaving last year’s flagship users waiting. With the rollout of this beta, Galaxy S24 owners can now test out the permanent lock screen widget and see how it integrates with Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite.
What is Samsung’s Now Brief?
Now Brief is a dynamic status notification tool introduced by Samsung to enhance the lock screen experience. Instead of cluttering the notification panel, Now Brief provides a dedicated lock screen widget called the Now Bar, where essential real-time updates are displayed.
The feature is part of Samsung’s Galaxy AI initiative and processes information locally on the device for improved privacy and speed. Currently, it supports Samsung’s first-party apps such as Weather and Calendar, but the company has confirmed that support for third-party apps is coming. This expansion could make Now Brief far more useful, enabling integration with apps like ride-hailing services, messaging platforms, and fitness trackers.
Summary Table
Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
Feature Name |
Samsung Now Brief |
Device Availability |
Now available on Galaxy S24 series via One UI 8 beta update |
Previous Availability |
Exclusive to Galaxy S25 lineup |
Function |
Lock screen widget showing AI-powered status updates |
Supported Apps |
Samsung apps (Weather, Calendar); third-party apps coming soon |
Processing |
Locally processed through Galaxy AI suite |
Current Stage |
Beta release only |
Official Release |
Expected with public One UI 8 rollout |
Official Samsung Site |
Availability on the Galaxy S24
Until now, the Galaxy S24 series had been excluded from Now Brief, despite being only one generation older than the Galaxy S25. This led to criticism from users who felt Samsung was withholding software features to push device upgrades.
However, as of the latest One UI 8 beta build, spotted by Android Authority, Galaxy S24 users can finally access Now Brief. The addition comes alongside bug fixes and performance optimizations that are typical in beta firmware releases.
Upon installing the update, users are greeted with a dedicated onboarding screen that explains the feature and allows them to enable it immediately.
How Does Now Brief Work?
Now Brief functions as a persistent lock screen bar widget. Once activated, it provides status updates at a glance, without requiring users to pull down notifications. For example:
-
Weather updates pulled directly from Samsung Weather
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Upcoming calendar events and reminders
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Potential expansion to real-time ride-share tracking or food delivery notifications
The system relies on Galaxy AI for local processing, meaning that the device handles data analysis directly without sending sensitive information to Samsung’s servers. This ensures faster responses and maintains user privacy.
Comparisons with Other Platforms
Samsung’s approach with Now Brief mirrors features on other platforms. For example:
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Google’s Android 16 introduces Magic Cue on the Pixel 10, a similar lock screen glance system for quick updates.
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Other Android manufacturers are experimenting with variations of contextual lock screen widgets, though Samsung’s integration is among the more polished implementations.
With this update, Samsung continues its strategy of embedding AI-driven enhancements deeply into its ecosystem, further differentiating One UI from stock Android.
Limitations of Now Brief
Despite being a promising feature, Now Brief is still considered incomplete. The current beta highlights several limitations:
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Restricted App Support: Only Samsung’s own apps fully integrate with the system.
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Limited Customization: Users cannot yet choose which third-party apps display information.
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Beta-Stage Stability: As this is part of a One UI beta update, performance may vary, and the feature could undergo changes before the stable release.
Critics argue that unless Samsung prioritizes third-party integration, Now Brief risks feeling too closed-off and underutilized.
When Will It Be Available Officially?
At present, Now Brief is only accessible through the One UI 8 beta program. Samsung has not announced a fixed release date for the stable rollout, but the feature is expected to be available publicly when One UI 8 officially launches for the Galaxy S24 series later this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Now Brief on Samsung phones?
A. Now Brief is an AI-driven lock screen widget that provides real-time updates such as weather forecasts and calendar events without cluttering the notification panel.
2. Is Now Brief available on the Galaxy S24?
A. Yes. As of the latest One UI 8 beta update, Galaxy S24 users can access the feature.
3. Does Now Brief support third-party apps?
A. Not yet. Currently, it only works with Samsung apps, but third-party app integration is planned.
4. Is Now Brief processed online or offline?
A. Now Brief processes data locally on the device using Samsung’s Galaxy AI, ensuring faster response times and improved privacy.
5. When will the stable version be released?
A. The stable version of Now Brief for the Galaxy S24 will likely arrive with the official One UI 8 release, expected later this year.
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