Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series is touted as the “best AI phone” with various advanced features, including Galaxy AI. This feature offers various conveniences and new experiences for users, such as Chat Assist, Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist, and Transcript Assist.
However, there is surprising information behind its sophistication. Samsung announced that this feature will not be free forever, but only until the end of 2025. Users who want to continue using the feature afterward will be charged a fee.
This announcement certainly raises various questions and concerns among users. Many are wondering why Samsung decided to limit access to such a useful AI feature. Will Galaxy AI really become a paid feature after 2025?
Samsung’s Clarification
Samsung did not explicitly explain the details of this policy. However, in a statement on its official website, Samsung stated that the Galaxy AI feature will be provided free of charge until the end of 2025 on compatible Samsung Galaxy devices.
Samsung stated: “The Galaxy AI feature will be provided free of charge until the end of 2025 on compatible Samsung Galaxy devices. Different terms may apply to AI features provided by third parties.”
This statement indicates that some AI features may still be accessible for free after 2025, but only those developed by Samsung itself. AI features developed by third parties will most likely become paid features.
Reasons Behind the New Policy
Samsung has not yet provided an official explanation for the reason behind this new policy. However, there are several possibilities that could be the cause:
- Development costs: AI features require high development and maintenance costs. Samsung may want to charge users to cover these costs.
- Business strategy: Samsung may want to make Galaxy AI a premium feature to differentiate it from competitors’ smartphones.
- Competition: Samsung’s competitors, such as Apple and Huawei, also offer AI features on their smartphones. Samsung may want to follow this trend by making Galaxy AI a paid feature.
Paid Galaxy AI Features
It is not yet known exactly which Galaxy AI features will become paid after 2025. However, the most advanced features that require a lot of resources will most likely become paid.
Some examples of features that may become paid include:
- Live Translate: This feature allows users to translate languages in real time.
- Bixby Vision: This feature allows users to search for information about objects in the real world using the camera.
- Text to Speech: This feature allows users to convert text to speech.
- Scene Optimizer: This feature automatically optimizes camera settings to produce the best photo.
Impact on Users
Samsung’s decision to restrict access to Galaxy AI will certainly impact users. Users who want to continue using this AI feature after 2025 will be required to pay a subscription fee.
This subscription fee will likely vary depending on the AI feature you want to use. Users who only want to use a few features may only need to pay a small fee. However, users who want to use all AI features may have to pay a higher fee.
Alternatives to Galaxy AI Features
For users who do not want to pay a subscription fee, there are several alternatives available. Some examples of these alternatives include:
- Google Assistant: This virtual assistant from Google offers various features similar to Galaxy AI, such as translating languages, searching for information, and controlling smart devices.
- Siri: This virtual assistant from Apple also offers various features.
- Alexa: This virtual assistant from Amazon offers various features, such as playing music, setting alarms, and controlling smart devices.
Samsung’s decision to limit access to Galaxy AI certainly has pros and cons. On the one hand, users who want to continue using this AI feature after 2025 will be required to pay a subscription fee. On the other hand, users who do not want to pay a subscription fee can use the available alternatives.