Gemini Intelligence hardware requirements mean Pixel 9 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 miss out on AI features

Gemini Intelligence requirements mean most Android phones are going to miss out

These requirements mean the Pixel 9 series and Galaxy Z Fold 7 don't meet the criteria. Earlier this week, Google aired the highly anticipated I/O edition of The Android Show. The company teased that this would be one of the biggest years for the platform, and it delivered with the announcement of Gemini Intelligence. The rollout of Gemini Intelligence to Android phones is scheduled to start this summer. However, its list of demanding requirements means it will only be available for the most advanced devices. Before going any further, let's first explain what Gemini Intelligence is. Gemini Intelligence is an umbrella term that refers to Google's most advanced AI features. Some examples of this include Gboard's new voice-to-text "Rambler" feature; an enhanced version of Chrome auto-fill, which can handle more complicated forms; and Create My Widget. If you were excited by the announcement this week, you may want to prepare yourself for the requirements. According to the footnotes on the Gemini Intelligence landing page, this will be something only for the most premium of Android phones. Specifically, it mentions that you'll need at least 12GB of RAM. This requirement alone knocks out most older Pixel phones, except for the Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 series, and Pixel 10 series. It also mentions that you'll need support for AI Core and Gemini Nano v3 or higher. As Android Authority contributor AssembleDebug points out, Google has a list of what devices currently support Nano v3 on its developer page. Most of the devices that have Nano v3 support were released in 2026. However, the Pixel 10 series and the OPPO Find X9 series are the odd ones out. Meanwhile, this means that the Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 9 series will all miss out on Gemini Intelligence. It also looks like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and TriFold won't be getting it either.

If you didn't buy your phone this year, it likely won't get Gemini Intelligence

Google has set steep requirements for Android 17's marquee Gemini Intelligence feature. They rule out most existing phones, to the point where some of the company's own Pixel 9 devices might not support the agentic AI. A note on Google's product page reveals that you'll need a device with the "most advanced capabilities" to run the technology, according to 9to5Google. You'll need a qualifying "flagship" chip, at least 12GB of RAM, and support for media features like HDR and spatial audio. Google also demands at least five years of OS updates, six years of quarterly security updates, and quality levels that will be more strictly enforced in 2027. Google Pixel 10 Brand Google SoC Google Tensor G5 See at Amazon $799 at Best Buy $799 at Google Store $799 at AT&T Expand Collapse More importantly, the device will have to support Google's latest small AI model, Gemini Nano v3. That could rule out devices that might otherwise qualify, including most of the Pixel 9 family, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, and the OnePlus 13. As a rule, most phones released before 2026 are currently ineligible. Gemini Nano v3 so far runs on most Pixel 10 models (not the 10a), Samsung's Galaxy S26 lineup, and the OnePlus 15 range. While it's possible that some phones and tablets will receive v3 support, it's not guaranteed at this stage. How-To Geek has asked Google for comment and will let you know if we receive a response. Why are Gemini Intelligence system requirements so high? An advanced local AI model might be the explanation Gemini Intelligence is more than just a voice assistant. As an AI agent, it can perform multi-step tasks that, in some cases, will require launching apps to perform tasks on your behalf, such as booking restaurants and creating custom widgets. For the feature to work quickly and reliably, Google will likely need to run a small but recent AI model like Gemini Nano v3 on-device. That demands large amounts of computing power and memory, and there are no guarantees that most devices (including lower-end 2026 phones) will pass muster. Related RIP Chromebooks: Googlebooks are coming with Android and deep Gemini integration The next generation of Google laptops. Posts 1 By Joe Fedewa As such, you're most likely to see Gemini Intelligence on just a handful of devices early on, with brand new models most likely to get it first. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, both expected in July, might be the first. We'd expect Google's own Pixel 11 to be next in line with a possible August premiere. Subscribe to our newsletter for device-compatibility clarity Make confident phone-buying choices: subscribe to our newsletter for focused coverage of which devices will support new Android AI features, clear compatibility guides, and practical analysis that helps you understand what matters when evaluating phones. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Whatever the exact device roster looks like, Google is returning to the days when using major new software features frequently required new hardware, not just OS updates. Like it or not, you might have to buy a new phone to have Gemini Intelligence on tap.

Gemini Intelligence has high Android spec requirements, likely won't support Pixel 9 or Galaxy Z Fold 7

Google's new Gemini Intelligence push was announced this week and it has pretty steep requirements for Android devices to support the new features, cutting off the Pixel 9 series and even last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7 due to one spec. First things first, what is Gemini Intelligence? In short, it's an overarching branding for Google's most powerful AI features on premium Android devices. Announced earlier this week, this includes things like more intelligent autofill, Gboard's upgraded voice-to-text "Rambler" and "Create my Widget." "Premium" is a good description, too, based on the spec requirements. In a footnote on its Gemini Intelligence page, Google details what this experience will require, and the minimum spec requirements are pretty steep including a "flagship chip," 12GB or more of RAM, and support AI Core and Gemini Nano v3 or higher. The device also needs to be getting at least 5 Android OS upgrades in its life span, 6 years of security updates (at least quaterly), and meet some quality requirements around crash rates and other aspects of the device. The requirement for Nano v3 is particularly telling here, as it shows what existing devices will or will not be capable of supporting Gemini Intelligence. Google details what Android devices support Nano v3 on a developer page (highlighted on social media, without sourcing) with the list including almost exclusively 2026 releases outside of the Pixel 10 series and Oppo Find X9 series. Devices as recent as the Pixel 9 series and even Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 are still on Nano v2, meaning they won't meet the criteria for Gemini Intelligence just yet. It's worth noting that this section is specifically talking about Gemini Nano's Prompt API support, not the model specifically. So it's hard to say for certain whether or not all of those last-gen devices definitely do not support the new requirements. It's also not directly clear if this can be updated after the fact through future OS upgrades. It's also telling here that Gemini Intelligence requires 12GB of RAM. Leaks suggest that the Pixel 11 series will cut RAM allotments, with the base Pixel 11 potentially dropping to 8GB of RAM - if anything, these requirements suggest the leak may not be completely correct. Whatever the case, Google says that Gemini Intelligence will make its debut on Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices later this year, with a report suggesting that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be the first to launch the new features.

Gemini Intelligence hardware requirements revealed -- here's which Samsung, Google, and other Android phones can run Create My Widget, Rambler, and more

* Gemini Intelligence has some demanding hardware requirements that mean most phones will be excluded from the new software * The main issue is that devices must support Gemini Nano v3, but they also need at least 12GB of RAM, a 'flagship' chipset, and more * That means the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Google Pixel 9 line probably won't get Gemini Intelligence If you're looking forward to Gemini Intelligence, then hopefully you've got a recent and high-end phone, because otherwise, you'll probably have to upgrade your device first. At the bottom of the official Gemini Intelligence page, Google states that its "features are only available on Android devices with the most advanced capabilities and spec requirements," with those requirements including 12GB or more of RAM, a "flagship" chipset, at least five years of operating system upgrades, and support for Gemini Nano v3 or higher, among other things. That's a collectively limiting criterion, but as 9to5Google points out, Gemini Nano v3 support is the biggest barrier to entry, as it seems to be almost exclusively supported by 2026 phones. According to a Google developer page, Nano v3 only works on the following phones (all of which also have at least 12GB of RAM, and so can presumably run Gemini Intelligence): * Google Pixel 10 series * Samsung Galaxy S26 series * OnePlus 15 * OnePlus 15R * Honor Magic 8 Pro * Realme GT 7T * iQoo 15 * Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 * Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 * Motorola Signature * Vivo X200T * Vivo X200 * Vivo X200 Pro * Vivo X300 * Vivo X300 Pro * Oppo Find X8 * Oppo Find X8 Pro * Oppo Find X9 * Oppo Find X9 Pro, * Oppo Reno 14 Pro 5G * Oppo Reno 15 Pro 5G * Oppo Reno 15 Pro Mini 5G * Oppo Reno 15 Pro Max 5G Some major absentees That means the entire Google Pixel 9 series is excluded, as is the Samsung Galaxy S25 line, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, and numerous other quite recent and high-profile phones. Now, it's possible that software updates could bring Gemini Nano v3 support -- and potentially therefore also Gemini Intelligence support -- to some of these phones. But with the other requirements too, there aren't going to be a huge number of Android handsets that can run Gemini Intelligence. And given Apple's more restrictive approach to AI, Gemini Intelligence also isn't likely to come to iPhones (we know that Gemini Spark can run on iPhones via the Gemini app, but OS-level Gemini integration seems unlikely). All of which is a shame, because Gemini Intelligence promises to be a powerful automation tool, carrying out multi-step tasks for you across apps, as well as offering other handy features like the ability to create your own widgets and deliver more polished voice-to-text. If you do have a compatible phone, then you should gain access to Gemini Intelligence sometime this year, with Samsung and Google devices being the first to get it, starting "this summer" -- presumably, that means sometime between June and September. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

Gemini Intelligence has strict requirements, and your phone may not qualify

Google's new Gemini Intelligence platform is quickly becoming one of the biggest talking points in the Android world right now. After being highlighted during this week's Android Show, the feature is already being tied to several upcoming premium foldables and flagship phones. But there's a catch: not every high-end Android device will be able to run it. And surprisingly, even some of Google and Samsung's latest foldables may miss out. According to Google's requirements, Gemini Intelligence isn't just another software update you can casually push to older devices. The company appears to be building this around a much stricter hardware and long-term software support system. To qualify, a phone needs a flagship-grade chipset, at least 12GB RAM, support for AI Core, and Gemini Nano v3 or newer. That immediately creates a problem for several current-generation phones. Gemini Intelligence needs more than just a powerful chip Google's requirements go beyond raw performance. Devices also need to promise at least 5 Android OS upgrades and 6 years of security patches, with quality standards tied to system stability and crash rates. Recommended Videos While many flagship phones already offer long software support cycles, the Gemini Nano version requirement seems to be the real barrier here. Reports suggest devices like the Pixel 9 series and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 are still running Gemini Nano v2, meaning they don't currently qualify for Gemini Intelligence support. The feature list is expected to expand significantly across 2026 Android flagships, including the Pixel 10 series and the Oppo Find X9 lineup, which are likely being designed with these AI requirements in mind from the start. That said, the situation is still slightly unclear. Google's documentation specifically mentions support for Gemini Nano's Prompt API rather than directly confirming whether older devices are permanently excluded. So there's still a possibility that some phones could gain compatibility later through future Android updates or backend upgrades. The RAM requirement could reveal Google's bigger AI plans One of the more interesting details here is Google's insistence on a minimum of 12GB of RAM for Gemini Intelligence. That's a fairly aggressive requirement, especially given that some leaks have suggested the base Pixel 11 might actually ship with only 8GB of RAM. If these new AI requirements are accurate, those earlier leaks may not tell the full story. It would be odd for Google to heavily market advanced on-device AI features while simultaneously lowering memory capacity on its own flagship phones. For now, Google says Gemini Intelligence will first arrive on Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices later this year.

Gemini Intelligence on Your Pixel or Galaxy Phone Looking Doubtful

This week's Android announcements were big, just as Google said they would be. We got a preview of some of Android 17's biggest upcoming features, plus Google announced Gemini Intelligence, the next big move for Gemini onto flagship devices. This next step for Gemini on your Android phone will proactively do things unlike previous Gemini implementations. The wording around the Gemini Intelligence unveiling focused on this version of Gemini coming to the "most advanced devices," thanks to their "premium hardware." Google also specifically said that the first devices to see Gemini Intelligence this summer would be the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 series. But what about the Pixel 9 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, or older Galaxy S phones, like the Galaxy S25? Things aren't looking good for any of those phones, at least as of this moment. Spotted by 9to5Google, there's a Gemini Intelligence page (here) that sheds some light on requirements for a device to get access to it. The broader requirement is that Gemini Intelligence is only available to devices running Gemini Nano v3 or greater. It also lists some specs requirements: Google doesn't talk that openly about versions of Gemini Nano and supported devices, but does share some info for developers. There is a developer page (here) that talks about all of the devices that are currently Prompt API supported on Nano v2 and Nano v3. This could be a hint at which devices will get Gemini Intelligence and which won't. The lists look like this: If Nano v2 is the cutoff, there are a lot of devices on that list that we are surprised to see not get access to Gemini Intelligence. The Pixel 9 series, the Fold 7, all of Xiaomi's new high-end phones, and the recently released Galaxy Z TriFold are all on the Nano v2 list. Unfortunately, Google hasn't confirmed which devices are getting it outside of the Pixel 10 and Galaxy S26 series. Until they do, we're speculating and going off of this publicly available info. A lot of this feels like the early days of 4G LTE, where the early phones that had the earliest chips ended up being left behind pretty quickly. Let's hope that's not how the AI push plays out.

Gemini Intelligence might be too powerful for these Android fans | Stuff

Gemini Intelligence sounds like a big advance for automating tasks, but some big-hitting Android phones may miss out. Google's next big AI development for Android phones was announced last week. It's called Gemini Intelligence and, unlike the current Gemini iteration, it will be limited to the most premium Android phones. So much so in fact that that devices like the 2024 Pixel 9 range and the 2025 Galaxy Z Fold 7 won't be able to access the features like intelligent auto-fill of forms and custom widgets. It also automates tasks across your suite of apps, such as referencing the shopping list in your notes app and having the app build a card for you in your favourite grocery app. 9to5Google noticed that in a footnote on the Gemini Intelligence page that phones will require support of Gemini Nano v3 within the chipset. That rules out practically all phones made in 2025 and before, except for the current Pixel 10 and Oppo Find X9. Other phones with support for Nano v3 include the Honor Magic 8 Pro, iQOO 15, Motorola Signature, OnePlus 15 / OnePlus 15R, Oppo Find X8 series, Samsung Galaxy S26 series, Vivo X200 and X300 series. Those currently on Gemini Nano v2 include the Pixel 9 series, Moto Razr 60, OnePlus 15, Oppo Find N5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. The page also states that Gemini Intelligence will require a "flagship chip" backed by 12GB of RAM which would also prove an impediment to some 2026 phones that are yet to be released. The Pixel 11 has been rumoured to only carry 8GB of RAM. However, that phone will undoubtedly support Gemini Intelligence, so maybe we shouldn't read too much into things until the phones are announced. In a blog post last week Google pitched Gemini Intelligence as a great way to have your phone do more for you. "Gemini Intelligence helps you automate tedious tasks so you can focus on what matters. We've spent months fine-tuning multi-step automation capabilities on the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 on popular food and rideshare apps to ensure every interaction feels seamless," the company writes. "Soon, devices with Gemini Intelligence will do all that and more. Gemini will navigate tasks for you -- whether it's snagging a front-row bike for your spin class or finding your class syllabus in Gmail then putting the books you need in your cart. Gemini handles the logistics while you stay in the moment."