8 Things to Know about Samsung Accessibility Features

Did you know that in the U.S., up to 1 in 4 (27%) adults have some type of disability? Samsung believes in the power of technology to create a more inclusive world. We’re not just talking the talk. We lead by example in developing accessible innovations, fostering inclusivity while also championing digital access and inclusion, empowering every user to fully engage in the digital world.

When it comes to design, accessibility is top of mind to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can fully enjoy the benefits of our innovations — to enhance their experiences and live their fullest lives. In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), as part of our “Things to Know” series, we’re uncovering the must-know accessibility features that enhance visibility, hearing, interaction, and dexterity across Samsung products. Let’s dive into some of the latest ways that we’re making technology accessible.

Visibility Enhancements:

1. Enjoy Inclusive Screen Time with Relumino Mode

We’re making it easier for people with low vision to enjoy TV viewing with clarity and ease with Relumino Mode¹, a viewing mode on select Samsung TVs and Galaxy devices², that’s designed to help improve the visual capabilities of those with low vision. Leveraging AI technology, Relumino Mode can outline on-screen elements, adjust colors, and highlight specific parts of videos, providing you with clearer visuals.

But that’s not all! Samsung recently introduced Relumino Together Mode, which displays standard screens and Relumino Mode screens side-by-side, allowing people with low vision and their families to share the TV experience together seamlessly. Now, everyone can gather around and enjoy their favorite shows, movies, and games like never before.

2. Elevate Your TV Viewing Experience with SeeColors Mode

Our SeeColors Mode is designed to help those with sight challenges view billions of colors more accurately. Tailored for individuals with Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) – a condition affecting approximately 300 million people worldwide – this app allows users to adjust color settings on Samsung TVs and monitors to meet their individual needs — so everyone can enjoy an optimized viewing experience with vibrant, true-to-life colors.

Explore our TV accessibility features here.

3. Optimize Your Galaxy Device with TalkBack Screen Reader

Enhance accessibility on Galaxy smartphone and tablets with TalkBack, a screen reader designed to assist vision-impaired users in everyday tasks from writing emails to sharing on social media and much more. It speaks the screen aloud, navigates through apps, and supports many multi-finger gestures. Plus, with TalkBack 9.1 and up, there are over 25 different voice commands.

Discover more visibility enhancements for your Galaxy mobile devices, including options to make fonts stand out, enable negative colors, remove animations, and more, right here.

Hearing Enhancements:

4. Turn On Audio Subtitles or Live Captions for Viewing or Listening Without Limitations

Our latest TV lineup introduced Audio Subtitles, the world’s first on-device TV feature that uses AI and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to provide a voice guide for embedded subtitles in real-time. With more than 2.2 billion people living with visual impairments, this new Samsung TV feature can help even more people enjoy foreign language films without limitation.

Live Captions, available on Galaxy smartphone and tablets, helps people with hearing loss to follow their favorite media and audio content effortlessly. The Live Captions feature transcribes audio from videos, podcasts, phone and video calls, audio messages and voicemails as it plays through the device in real time. Samsung will release Live Captions in additional languages, delivering convenient device experiences to even more Galaxy users.

To activate Live Captions, check out this article.

5. Experience Enhanced Ambient Sound

With our enhanced Ambient Sound feature, Galaxy Buds2 Pro users can fine tune their Ambient Sound settings using the Galaxy wearable app³ to give those with hearing loss new ways to experience sound and have more control. Users can adjust the volumes on the left and the right respectively, as well as customize their Ambient Sound tone range from soft to clear across five different stages. Additionally, Ambient Sound can tune to a users’ ears through the Adapt Ambient Sound feature, allowing for even more clarity in helping users hear the world around them better.

Find more on Galaxy Smartphone and Tablet hearing enhancements here.

Interaction & Dexterity Enhancements:

6. Use Universal Gestures to Control Your Samsung Galaxy Watch

Experience the convenience of Universal Gestures, a groundbreaking accessibility feature for the Samsung Galaxy Watch — introduced as part of the One UI 5 Watch update.⁴ Say goodbye to button pressing and finger taps. Users can effortlessly control their watch with touch-free intuitive movements. With four distinct gestures – Make Fist, Make Fist Twice, Pinch, and Double Pinch – they’re able to navigate their Galaxy Watch in ways that work best for them.

Check out more wearable accessibility features here.

Image simulated for illustrated purposes.

7. Simplify Navigation with One Hand Mode on Galaxy Devices

Unlock the convenience of One Hand Mode on Galaxy smartphones, designed for people to use their device with just one hand. When enabled, One Hand Mode reduces the screen size, facilitating easy access to all corners and app interactions using just your thumb. This accessibility feature enhances usability and comfort, empowering users to effortlessly manage their device with one hand, all without sacrificing functionality or convenience.

8. Improve Barrier-Free Remote TV Controls

We’ve designed the Remote for Barrier Free app for users with visual, auditory, or physical disabilities to offer more thoughtful TV control via smartphones. The highly customizable app incorporates UI enhancements such as intuitive button placement, distinct colors, and tactile feedback, while also integrating Samsung’s latest accessibility features such as voice guides for easy access right from the smartphone.

Learn more about Samsung Accessibility across Mobile, TV, Wearables, and Home Appliances here.

¹ Relumino Mode targets those who suffer from severe visual acuity loss (Source: WHO, World report on vision, 2019) and symptoms of blurry vision. This feature is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or medical problem. Any information found, acquired, or accessed through this feature is made available for your convenience and should not be treated as medical advice. Some features may be supported at a different time, and service availability may not be available at the time of purchase of this product. Relumino Mode is applied for TV models QN80C, QN90C, QN800C, QN900C and works on sources provided through DTV and HDMI only. The Mode does not work on other sources, OTTs, etc.

² Relumino is available on Galaxy devices with One UI 6.1. Not yet available on Galaxy Flip or Fold devices.

³ Accessed in the Laboratory menu under Earbuds settings in the Galaxy Wearable app. Requires a Galaxy smartphone with Android 8.0 later and 1.5GB RAM or above. The feature only can be enabled and controlled through the Galaxy Wearable app on Android, available on the Google Play Store.

⁴ Available on the Galaxy Watch6, Watch5 and Watch4 series with One UI 5 Watch. Activation gesture, used to activate Universal Gestures, may vary based on the Galaxy Watch model, software version, region and carrier. To enable Gestures, go to Settings > find Advanced features and scroll down to Gestures > turn on each gesture.