It's very convenient now that most AI features can be used directly on the device without any Internet access. This is because, features like this require users to download a file pack or language pack first. After the download is complete, all processing will happen directly from the device. In the future, WhatsApp will also do the same.
Since July last year, WhatsApp has been seen testing this built-in translation feature. It started with the news of Google Translate integration, switching to using its own technology. Users are seen needing to download the selected language pack, after which – all conversation text or from within the channel can be automatically translated.
At the moment it is still not sure if the translation will be like Google Lens, where the entire text will be replaced with the new language or like Samsung Galaxy AI with each conversation bubble there will be a line of translated language text. Let's wait and see.