Samsung recently unveiled a host of AI capabilities and features with its newly launched Galaxy S24 smartphone lineup. These include live translation, AI-based chat assist, auto text summarization and more powered by the custom Galaxy AI platform.
We had speculated that Samsung might charge extra money for using these features.
Now, it’s confirmed!
Recently, Samsung’s EVP Sally Jeong revealed in a recent roundtable that while AI features will be free till 2025, the company will determine the future direction post that based on user analysis. A footnote on the Galaxy S24 series product pages also makes clear that different terms may apply for third party AI functionalities after 2025.
Resources Needed to Sustain Free Access
When asked to explain the decision to start charging for AI features, Jeong highlighted the significant resources needed to keep providing cloud-based capabilities for free indefinitely to users proactively leveraging them. She added that not all functionalities will go behind the paywall. But it seems fair that users pay based on analysis of actual feature usage.
Samsung currently appears focused on getting the wide-ranging Galaxy AI features in the hands of as many customers as possible. This will allow the company gain valuable insights into consumer preferences regarding which capabilities they find most useful or indispensable.
Transformative AI Capabilities Showcased
The AI feature set encompasses live translation, night photography enhancements, chat suggestions, text summarization, driving mode smart replies and more. Samsung believes they can transform how users interact with their devices while cementing the company’s innovation leadership in the smartphone domain over the next decade.
For now, all the showcase AI experiences that enhance productivity or shopping or simplify access to services remain freely usable. Post 2025, Samsung will likely introduce a tiered model with basic functionalities staying free while more advanced capabilities require a subscription.
