Samsung Commits to Keeping Core Galaxy AI Features Free Indefinitely

Samsung just answered everyone's biggest question about its AI strategy

Samsung was quick to hop on the generative AI wave, launching a robust set of AI tools under the title Galaxy AI with the launch of its S24 lineup in 2024. Upon launch, the suite of tools was free, but there was a catch. The company said the features would only remain free until the end of 2025. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked: Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, Watch 8 Series, more However, as the presumed end date is approaching, Samsung seems to have had a change of heart, which is good news for Samsung device owners. At its Samsung Unpacked July 2025 event, the company eased the public's concerns, reassuring users that even as the suite of AI features continues to grow with the new One UI 8 features and devices, users will be able to continue to access Galaxy AI for free. "While specific plans for premium AI services will be determined in close collaboration with our partners, we will continue offering essential Galaxy AI features free of charge to ensure users can enjoy their devices seamlessly," said Blake Gaiser, head of smartphone product management for Samsung Electronics America. "As always, we will continue to monitor industry trends and user feedback closely to ensure we deliver the best possible experience to Galaxy users." This is especially important because Samsung has continuously added to its AI suite of tools, making it present in some capacity across nearly every function of its phones. Samsung has integrated AI into sending texts, editing videos and photos, making phone calls, and more. As the AI features became more baked into the devices, fears arose about what the user experience would be like if Samsung decided to charge for the features, which would leave people with virtually no choice but to pay to have the intended experience of the smartphone. Also: Samsung is giving existing Galaxy phone users a $240 gift for free - here's how to accept it Another key factor is that AI features are often launched as part of software updates. While some of those AI features require the newest hardware, some are cloud-based, and users with older models can take advantage. In a system where users would have to pay for Galaxy AI features, even users who didn't want to splurge on the latest devices would be forced to shell out cash to experience some of the newest features. Samsung has one of the most fleshed-out suites of AI tools on the market, and its decision not to charge users for those AI tools is likely to set a precedent that other companies will follow. Ultimately, in the AI space, as seen with the emergence of premium AI plans, once one company realizes it can charge for a service, others quickly follow. Get the morning's top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.

Samsung's Galaxy AI will stay free - even with new features released at Unpacked

Samsung was quick to hop on the generative AI wave, launching a robust set of AI tools under the title Galaxy AI with the launch of its S24 lineup in 2024. Upon launch, the suite of tools was free, but there was a catch. The company said the features would only remain free until the end of 2025. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked: Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, Watch 8 Series, more However, as the presumed end date is approaching, Samsung seems to have had a change of heart, which is good news for Samsung device owners. At its Samsung Unpacked July 2025 event, the company eased the public's concerns, reassuring users that even as the suite of AI features continues to grow with the new One UI 8 features and devices, users will be able to continue to access Galaxy AI for free. "While specific plans for premium AI services will be determined in close collaboration with our partners, we will continue offering essential Galaxy AI features free of charge to ensure users can enjoy their devices seamlessly," said Blake Gaiser, head of smartphone product management for Samsung Electronics America. "As always, we will continue to monitor industry trends and user feedback closely to ensure we deliver the best possible experience to Galaxy users." This is especially important because Samsung has continuously added to its AI suite of tools, making it present in some capacity across nearly every function of its phones. Samsung has integrated AI into sending texts, editing videos and photos, making phone calls, and more. As the AI features became more baked into the devices, fears arose about what the user experience would be like if Samsung decided to charge for the features, which would leave people with virtually no choice but to pay to have the intended experience of the smartphone. Also: Samsung is giving existing Galaxy phone users a $240 gift for free - here's how to accept it Another key factor is that AI features are often launched as part of software updates. While some of those AI features require the newest hardware, some are cloud-based, and users with older models can take advantage. In a system where users would have to pay for Galaxy AI features, even users who didn't want to splurge on the latest devices would be forced to shell out cash to experience some of the newest features. Samsung has one of the most fleshed-out suites of AI tools on the market, and its decision not to charge users for those AI tools is likely to set a precedent that other companies will follow. Ultimately, in the AI space, as seen with the emergence of premium AI plans, once one company realizes it can charge for a service, others quickly follow. Get the morning's top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.

Samsung Promises Some Galaxy AI Features Will Remain Free Forever

Samsung has confirmed certain AI features will remain free, even if it does begin charging to use its Galaxy AI platform. We don't yet know whether the brand plans to bring in a paid subscription. Galaxy AI is one of Samsung's biggest areas of innovation, but some are nervous they'll soon have to pay for its features. Samsung has been clear since launch that it may begin charging for Galaxy AI from "the end of 2025" onward. That deadline is fast approaching, but the company has yet to confirm plans for a paid subscription. Some speculated this week's Unpacked event would be when Samsung would unveil a paid structure for Galaxy AI, but that didn't happen. However, the brand did use briefings around the event to confirm Galaxy AI's default features will remain free. Speaking to Android Police, a Samsung representative confirmed all Galaxy AI features "on your phone by default" will remain free to use. That means features like Audio eraser, Drawing Assist, Generative Wallpapers, Live translation, Note Assist, Now brief, Writing assist, and Zoom nightography will remain free. This is further confirmed by Blake Gaiser, head of smartphone product management for Samsung Electronics America, as reported by ZDNet. Gaiser said, "While specific plans for premium AI services will be determined in close collaboration with our partners, we will continue offering essential Galaxy AI features free of charge to ensure users can enjoy their devices seamlessly." As Android Police points out, anything on this Samsung website that isn't made in collaboration with Google is a default feature, and therefore should remain free to use. The complicating factor is Galaxy AI is sometimes paired with Google's Gemini features, which Samsung won't have control over pricing for. For now, Samsung hasn't shown any clear signs of introducing a paid subscription. We may hear more about it later this year, or it may be that Samsung has used the "end of 2025" date to ensure it wouldn't have any legal disputes if it did choose to launch a subscription. Samsung may ultimately choose to keep the service free for longer. Right now, it's likely Samsung wants to keep these features free to encourage more usage of Galaxy AI. Many people upgrading their phones for the first time in two years won't have had access to Galaxy AI until they buy a new phone.

Samsung finally confirms whether or not it'll start making you pay for Galaxy AI tools

Despite significant improvements, Samsung has confirmed it has no plans to charge users for its Galaxy AI tools. Samsung jumped on the AI bandwagon with the Galaxy S24 series last year, debuting a new set of AI-powered tools. The Galaxy AI suite has since made its way to more devices, picking up several new features and improvements along the way. With its latest foldables, Samsung has introduced even more new capabilities. However, despite these upgrades, the company isn't following Google's lead and has no plans to put its AI tools behind a paywall.

Samsung promises that you'll never have to pay for certain Galaxy AI features

Samsung is relying heavily on Google for Gemini's AI smarts, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's entirely ceding control over its AI future. Since the release of the Galaxy S24 series back in early 2024, the tech giant has been investing in its own suite of Galaxy AI features. This includes the likes of Live Translate for calls and messages, One UI 8's Now Briefs, Audio Eraser, Generative Edit, and more. Related 10 best Galaxy AI features every Samsung owner should try From writing assist to live call translate Posts Samsung's Galaxy AI features have traditionally been free-to-use. Initially, the South Korean tech giant indicated that said features would only be "provided for free until the end of 2025." That stance hasn't changed since, though Samsung hasn't really publicly spoken about it either, leaving us uncertain about the future and what was going on behind closed doors. Now, however, we finally have some clarity. It looks like Samsung is prioritizing the best interests of users by keeping certain core Galaxy AI features free indefinitely. Paywall speculation put to rest Related Samsung's Galaxy AI features could remain free longer than we expected Good news for Samsung fans Posts While hints about this strategy first emerged last month via unofficial channels, we now have direct confirmation from Samsung itself. In our pre-briefing for the upcoming foldables, Samsung told Android Police that all Galaxy AI features that 'are on your phone by default' will never be charged for. This puts an end to a lot of paywall speculation, all while raising new questions. Will upcoming Galaxy AI features come with a pricetag? Could we see a tiered approach like Google does with Gemini's AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions? At least we know what Galaxy AI features are truly considered default. These include: Live Translate Note Assist in Samsung Notes Zoom Nightography Audio Eraser Browsing Assist Generative Wallpapers, and more Elsewhere, most of Google's Gemini-powered features remain free for now on Samsung devices. Advanced features, too, are free for the next six months for early Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 buyers. Related I turned off every AI tool on my Galaxy and regretted it by lunchtime Convenience is hard to live without after you've tasted it Posts 6

Samsung has 'no plans' to charge for Galaxy AI, but still notes 'until the end of 2025'

During Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung noted that, amongst rumors that Galaxy AI would eventually take on a subscription model, the company has no plans to charge for certain Galaxy AI features. As devices get released from Samsung, it becomes clear that the company is using new hardware to push more capable AI. Galaxy AI already offers a large suite of productivity features that are powered by Samsung's AI models. The notion that Samsung would one day begin to charge for these features has always had some weight. These AI models require energy and money to run. Other companies are offering paid plans, so it was only a matter of time before Samsung did. According to Samsung, the company has "no plans" to charge for Galaxy AI experiences that are "provided by default." Being prodded further, Samsung clarified that there are no plans to charge for any Galaxy AI features. That seems to include the ones brought to life in One UI 8 on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, and also features being incorporated into the Galaxy Watch 8 series. Galaxy AI features will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties. Last month, we reported on a rumor that Samsung was still in talks to finalize subscription models for its AI features. While that still may be true, the company has decisively stated that Galaxy AI features will remain free for some time. That still falls in line with the original promise Samsung made for Galaxy AI, noting that the service would remain free through 2025. That promise seems to be current. While Samsung may not be ready to make users pay for Live Translate in phone calls and Generative Edit in the photo app, it may decide that some features would need to be locked behind a paywall. Which features Samsung deems worthy of that are anyone's guess, but it's interesting that "default" features were differentiated during Unpacked. For now, every feature on the new Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 is free to use. Both devices are available for pre-order from Samsung's website with heavily boosted trade-ins and a $300 credit without a trade-in. Using our links gets you an extra $50 credit during the event.

Samsung's 'default' Galaxy AI features will remain free indefinitely -- here's what you need to know

Samsung has shut down the lingering rumors that it was going to start charging users for the Galaxy AI features it launched alongside the Galaxy S25 series last year. In a report from Android Police, the site says it has direct confirmation from Samsung that default features will remain free "indefinitely". Earlier in the year there was some heavy speculation Samsung would put Galaxy AI behind a paywall after it stated Galaxy AI would be "provided for free until the end of 2025." Android Police doesn't give any reasoning for the U-turn, but Samsung told the publication it will never charge for the features that "are on your phone by default." The fact Samsung is making these features available for free, indefinitely, is obviously good news. But it does leave a lingering question about whether Samsung may develop better, non-default AI features down the road and charge for that. This could be a single paywall or a tiered system similar to what Google does with its Pro and Ultra plans. The pace (and cost) of AI is not going to slow down any time soon and Samsung faces tough competition in the space from Google, Meta and Microsoft. If this does prove to be the case, time will tell whether or not Samsung has the goodwill to upsell users from free features to paid-for alternatives. Alternatively, this could be the start of something very good for Samsung owners if the company continues to keep handing out its AI developments as freebies. Especially since it just launched a whole set of great new AI features earlier this year alongside the S25. If you're a Samsung owner and new to Galaxy AI, then check out these tips for getting started.

Samsung promises that these Galaxy AI features are going to stay free forever

Samsung certainly hasn't been shy about stuffing AI features into its phones and other devices in recent years, and there has been some uncertainty over whether these features might eventually cost money - but we now have a bit more clarity. Speaking to Android Police at this week's Galaxy Unpacked event, a Samsung representative said that Galaxy AI features that are "on your phone by default" are always going to be available for free. That includes Live Translate, Note Assist, Zoom Nightography, Writing Assist, Drawing Assist, Now Brief, and the Audio Eraser. There's a full list here of everything you get, AI-wise, when you buy a new Samsung phone or tablet. What's not immediately clear is which AI features might not be covered - at the moment, there aren't any Galaxy AI add-ons that don't come bundled with devices, though perhaps we might see some introduced in the future. There is of course a freemium model to the Gemini AI assistant that now appears on most Android devices, including Samsung phones and tablets. Paying for Google AI Pro or Google AI Ultra gets you more features and access to better AI models. Google AI Pro starts at $19.99 / £18.99 / AU$32.99 and includes extras such as 2TB of Google cloud storage, but you often get a few months free. If you buy one of the Google Pixel 9 phones, you get a full year of use before you have to start paying. The newly-announced Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 come with six months free, and clearly Google is hoping that by the time that free period is up, you won't be able to live without all the AI goodness you get with a subscription. Samsung has dropped hints about introducing a Samsung Health subscription package, granting you extra features for a monthly fee, so it's possible that some additional AI tools might be included in that - though we'll have to wait and see.

These Galaxy AI Features Might Remain Free-to-Use Even After 2025

Circle to Search is a major Gemini-powered feature on Samsung devices Samsung has reportedly provided some clarity over the future of Galaxy AI features after the end of 2025. So far, the South Korean tech giant has maintained that the artificial intelligence (AI) tools and features that make up the Galaxy AI suite are only free to use till 2025. The company never officially confirmed if these features would be paywalled starting in 2026, or if they would continue to be available for free. However, as per a report, the company has now outlined its long-term vision for its AI features. According to an Android Police report, the tech giant said all the Galaxy AI features that "are on your phone by default" will remain free, and Samsung will not charge users for them. The information was reportedly shared with the publication at a pre-briefing session for journalists and media for the latest foldables. While the new information does provide some clarity, it is also a layered message that needs to be understood clearly. First, the company reportedly mentioned default Galaxy AI features, which include any and all tools created by Samsung in-house. Based on the information, the AI features that will remain free after 2025 include: So, which features may not be available for free after the end of 2025? These will include any AI features that Samsung provides to its users, but were not created by the company. All of Google's Gemini-powered features, such as Circle to Search and the six-month-long free subscription to Google AI Pro that Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE users will get, might go behind a paywall. Samsung is also rumoured to be working on a partnership with Perplexity to bring more AI features for its users. These could also be available for a fee, after a limited time of free access. However, assuming the report is accurate, it begs the question: why did Samsung imply that Galaxy AI might stop being free after 2025 in the first place? A SamMobile report claims the company might have a legal reason for adding the disclaimer, as adding a paywall on some of the features in the AI suite without any prior notice could result in potential lawsuits. This is because one of the major marketing campaigns for Samsung's recently released devices included the AI features.