Along with the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung launched Galaxy AI, a useful suite of AI-based features for Samsung’s flagship users. At launch, the Korean giant said both on-device and cloud-based AI tools will remain complementary “until 2025.”
However, the company has reportedly changed the footnotes on the official Galaxy AI landing page, allowing it to charge for some, if not all, AI features. “The basic Galaxy AI features provided by Samsung are free,” the updated footnote reads (via Android Authority).
Paid “advanced” features could be on the horizon
But what are the “basic” Galaxy AI features? According to Samsung’s Terms of Service webpage, the list of basic features includes a total of 13 features, including Call Assistant, Writing Assistant, Photo Assistant, Notes Assistant, Transcript Assistant, Browsing Assistant, Interpreter, Now Brief, and Audio Eraser, among others.
However, the updated footnote also states that Samsung may release certain “advanced features” “on a paid basis” in the future.
While it’s not immediately clear what the advanced features include, they could be Galaxy AI features based on third-party services or AI models. Apparently the company wants to separate internal AI functions from those of other companies, and the latter could incur some fee.
“All Samsung advanced AI features and all third-party AI features are subject to different terms and conditions and may be subject to fees.” In my opinion, “Samsung Enhanced” could refer to either advanced in-house AI tools (outsourced to third-party services on the backend) or features based on licensed third-party models.
In other words, it could be the cloud-based AI features (possibly the new ones) that could be available for a small fee.
We already know that Samsung uses Google’s Gemini AI assistant, Gemini Live and Circle to Search, and the same goes for all other major Android manufacturers.
If Google were to change its licensing terms with OEMs, manufacturers might be forced to absorb the costs or pass them on to users, regardless of whether they own a mid-range or flagship Android device.
For now, Samsung flagship buyers (and other eligible device owners) can rest assured that most Galaxy AI features will remain free.
