What Galaxy AI Will Be Paid?
One of the most interesting things about this new AI Smartphone age is watching how different OEMs navigate how much of their AI offerings they should cede to Google. Obviously, the simplest things for a smaller OEM to do is lean heavily on what Google is providing with tools like Magic Editor, Circle to Search and of course all the things Gemini does. The downside with fully relying on Google’s AI, which largely runs in one of their data centers, is that if Google ever decides to make any of their features paid you’ll have no say in how that goes. Granted, Google’s path tends to be starting paid and going free later, but still. You have no control either way.
Partially because of that, OEMs like Samsung are using a two-pronged approach - using everything Google offers, but also introducing their own AI features as well. Samsung has built out a fairly impressive suite of features they call Galaxy AI and so far, they’ve generally been free to use. However, something that has been concerning for Galaxy users was the statement from Samsung that their AI features would be “provided for free until the end of 2025.” With that right around the corner, we’ve finally gotten word on exactly what’s going to remain free.
Android Police is reporting that in their briefing with Samsung, they were told that “all Galaxy AI features that are on your phone by default will never be charged for.” Based on the list Samsung has on the Samsung.com, that should include the following features.
Zoom nightography
Writing assist or Chat assist
Drawing Assist and AI Select
Audio eraser
Now brief
Note Assist in Samsung Notes
Live translation with Call Assist and Interpreter
Photo Assist
AI enhanced wallpaper
Browsing Assist
Voice Recorder and Transcript Assist
Health Assist
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One thing that unites these features is that most of them run on device. Logically, if a feature is running on your device directly, there’s no real justification to charge extra for it. When it needs to be run in a data center, that’s a bit different. Operating those things isn’t cheap, so you’ll see Google, Open AI and others charge for premium features to try and make ends meet. Regardless, for Galaxy users who might have been nervous that basic AI using features could suddenly become something you need to pay extra for, that doesn’t seem to be something Samsung is going to do.