Google's Gemini Intelligence leaves Pixel 9 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 behind with steep requirements

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 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.