In a bid to streamline the user experience and boost response times, Samsung is reportedly developing a frictionless new activation method for its virtual assistant, Bixby. The feature is slated for deep integration within the upcoming Android-based One UI 9 update.

Currently, Samsung users rely on either a long press of the power button or a specific wake word to summon the AI. However, the new software will introduce a "Gesture Wake-up" feature. Once enabled, users can simply raise the phone to their face and start speaking immediately, bypassing the need for a traditional wake phrase altogether.

This seamless approach trims the crucial seconds usually lost between saying a wake word and asking a question. While it remains unclear if the continuous gesture recognition will drain battery life faster, industry watchers expect any impact to be negligible compared to the added convenience—provided the sensors operate with high accuracy.

The feature was notably absent from the recent One UI 9 Beta 2 rollout for the Galaxy S26 series, suggesting it may arrive in subsequent testing phases. The official software release is anticipated to coincide with the highly awaited launch of Samsung's next-generation foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8, next month.