- There were rumors of a Galaxy AI subscription
- Samsung has just confirmed that many features will remain free
- But it is not clear how Galaxy AI can evolve in the future
Samsung has certainly not been shy at the idea of stuffing AI’s features in its phones and other devices in recent years, and there has been a certain uncertainty about whether these features could ultimately cost money – but we now have a little more clarity.
Addressing the Android police during the Galaxy Unbacked event this week, a Samsung representative said that Galaxy AI’s features are “on your default” will always be available for free.
This includes Live Translate, Note Assist, Zoom Nightography, Writing Assist, Drawing Assist, Now Brief and The Audio Eraser. There is a complete list here of everything you get, at AI level, when you buy a new Samsung phone or tablet.
What is not immediately clear is what features of AI might not be covered – for the moment, there are no Galaxy AI supplements which are not delivered with devices, although we may see some introduced in the future.
The Gemini model
There is of course a freemium model at the Gemini AI assistant who now appears on most Android devices, including Samsung phones and tablets. The payment of Google AI Pro or Google AI Ultra offers you more features and access to better AI models.
Google AI Pro starts at $ 19.99 / £ 18.99 / $ 32.99 AU and includes extras such as 2 TB of Google cloud storage, but you often get a few months for free. If you buy one of the Google Pixel 9 phones, you get a full year of use before starting to pay.
The newly announced Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 are available with six months for free, and clearly Google hopes that when the free period is in progress, you will not be able to live without all the goodness of the AI that you get with a subscription.
Samsung has dropped advice on the introduction of a Samsung Health subscription package, granting additional features for monthly costs, it is therefore possible that certain additional AI tools are included in this area – although we will have to wait and see.
