Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Debuts with Enhanced Google Gemini Integration

The Galaxy S25 is going to be great for Gemini

Google and Samsung have publicly had a good working relationship in recent years. In 2021, the two companies teamed up to relaunch wearable Android with Wear OS 3, which debuted on the Galaxy Watch 4 series. Early last year, with the launch of the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung announced Google's Circle to Search alongside its new suite of Galaxy AI features. For a couple of months, Circle to Search was exclusive to the Pixel 8 and the Galaxy S25. This week's Galaxy S25 launch also talked up some (mostly) new Google features. Samsung highlighted Circle to Search's ability (that debuted last August) to search for songs, framing it as a "multimodal" upgrade. More interestingly, Samsung's introducing new Gemini integrations on the S25 family that allow Google's AI to take action inside Samsung's apps. Gemini will also be the default function of the S25's power button, unseating Bixby as the default assistant on Samsung's latest phones. Galaxy S25 preorders even come with a six-month Gemini Advanced trial. Take a seat, Galaxy AI -- Gemini can't be stopped. Welcome to Compiler, your weekly digest of Google's goings-on. I spend my days as Google Editor reading and writing about what Google's up to across Android, Pixel, and more, and sum it up right here in this column. This is the Google news you need to understand this week. The Galaxy S25 is a bigger Gemini booster than the Pixel 9 Link Image Google got a lot of attention at Galaxy Unpacked. Last week, I wrote about how Gemini is going to be everywhere this year -- and while we didn't get the rumored Hey Gemini wake word we thought we might at the S25 event, Samsung's latest phones are still looking to be a significant vector for Google's AI services. The S25 series mapping Gemini to the power button by default is a particularly big deal. It's an honor the Google Assistant never enjoyed. You could map Assistant to the power button on older Galaxy phones, but doing so required tinkering with Good Lock -- which I think is safe to say is something most normal Samsung users don't do (if you're reading this, you're likely not an average user). Any function mapped to the power button that's not the power menu is going to benefit from a lot of accidental activations, too. Yes, Samsung has officially renamed it the side button, but we're all still thinking of it as a power button. More than a few S25 users are going to stumble onto Gemini while they're trying to power down or restart their phones. The S24 series sold something like 35 million units last year, a substantial increase from S23 sales numbers the year before. The S25 is another iterative update from Samsung, and we can't know how many units Samsung will move before the S26 shows up next year. But given that Gemini is preinstalled and prominently positioned, it's a safe bet that more people will experience Google's AI on the S25 than on any Pixel phone: Google's not as forthcoming with its sales figures, but in all of 2023, the company shipped 10 million phones total -- a record for Pixel, at the time. Related Google's fingerprints are all over the new Galaxy S25 series Google and Samsung unite on a lot more than AI Posts The S25 is also going to be a big deal for Gemini Advanced: preorders come with a six-month trial of Google's paid AI experience. The deal's obviously not as generous as Google's free year of Advanced with Pixel 9 Pro purchases, but still, it'll lead to a significant influx of Advanced users, at least in the short term. It's hard to track down global preorder numbers for last year's S24 phones, but the S25's preorder bonus could net millions of new Gemini Advanced subscriptions (last year, people preordered 1.21 million Galaxy S24 phones just in Korea). New integrations for Samsung's stock apps that'll let Gemini do things like create events in Samsung Calendar or make new tasks in Samsung Reminder should also go a long way in spurring Gemini use on Samsung devices. You'll be able to ask Gemini to do things like round up a list of specific restaurants in a given area and then save them as a list in Samsung Notes -- fancy. Samsung's doing its own AI thing, too Samsung's cozying up to Gemini is also interesting because the company hasn't abandoned its own AI ambitions. Galaxy AI is still a thing; the S25 series is debuting what's arguably the most noteworthy Galaxy AI feature so far, Now Brief. Now Brief looks like Samsung's spin on the long-retired Google Now, showing info like the weather, calendar events, news, and selected photos from Samsung Gallery. (This all ostensibly involves AI, somehow.) You'll also be able to use natural language to surface relevant phone settings -- for instance, you might say "I can't hear my phone ring" to find ringer volume settings, or "my eyes hurt" to get to display settings. Importantly, though, Samsung's opted not to compete directly with Gemini on the S25. While Bixby is capable of activating or interacting with certain Galaxy AI features, the new "next-generation Bixby" that debuted on the China-exclusive Samsung Galaxy W25 and W25 Flip. That version of Bixby has generative AI capabilities built in and works more like Gemini or ChatGPT -- and won't be available on the Galaxy S25, at least not at launch. As Google continues to be laser-focused on AI, to the extent that it's creating partnerships with companies like Samsung to promote its AI products on third-party hardware, it'll be interesting to see how it positions its own hardware going forward. Sure, Google devices still have exclusive features ranging from the useful (Call Screen) to the inane (Pixel Studio), but if core Google software features -- defining software features, given we're in "the Gemini Era" -- are just as available and just as convenient to access on devices from competitors, where's that leave Pixel phones?

Samsung Galaxy S25 offers free access to Gemini's most advanced model

Samsung's new Galaxy Club for the S25 sounds a lot like the iPhone Upgrade Program Summary Samsung Galaxy S25 supports Google's new multimodal Gemini Nano AI model. Like Google, Samsung is bundling a free Gemini Advanced subscription with the Galaxy S25. The offer is only valid for preorders. Samsung's latest flagship, the Galaxy S25 series, is loaded with cutting-edge AI advancements. This includes supporting the multimodal Gemini Nano AI model, Gemini replacing Bixby as the default assistant on the phones, and the assistant's ability to handle multiple chained commands seamlessly. However, to unlock the full potential of the AI-powered assistant, you must subscribe to Gemini Advanced for $20 per month. Samsung is taking this burden off your wallet by bundling free access to Google's AI plan for six months with its new flagships. Related Google Gemini vs. Gemini Advanced: All the key differences explained What can Gemini Advanced do better and is it worth the price? Posts Pre-ordering the Galaxy S25 will get you a free six-month Gemini Advanced subscription. That's $120 in savings, plus all the other preorder benefits, like two months of Adobe Lightroom and three months of Peacock Premium, in addition to the boosted trade-in credit you already get. With Gemini Advanced, you can create custom AI experts through Gems Manager, enjoy deeper Gemini integration in Google services like Photos and Drive, and gain priority access to new AI models in the future. Apart from access to Gemini's most powerful model, the plan will add 2TB of storage to your Google account, provide priority support access, 10% cash back on Google Store purchases, and other Google One Premium perks. While you can share the 2TB storage space and other perks with up to five family members, only the primary account holder can access Gemini Advanced. Preorder the Galaxy S25 to get the best deal Close Google bundles a year of Gemini Advanced subscription worth $240 for free with the Pixel 9 series. Samsung is not as generous with its offer. However, a six-month free subscription is also a good deal. It will give you ample time to play around and fully utilize Gemini Advanced capabilities on your Galaxy S25. After that, you can decide if the subscription is worth renewing or not. It is unclear whether Galaxy S25 users outside the US will also get free access to Gemini Advanced for six months. You'll be eligible for the free Gemini Advanced subscription irrespective of where you preorder your Galaxy S25 from. If you already pay for Gemini Advanced, you might be ineligible for the offer. Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung's compact flagship of 2025 -- the Galaxy S25 -- packs everything you can ask for. A powerful processor, Galaxy AI, deep Gemini integration, and capable cameras. $800 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung's Galaxy S25+ finds just the right middle ground between its two siblings. With a 6.7-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM, this smartphone includes practically everything you could ask for in the modern AI age, without driving up the price. $1000 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through -- and yes, that S Pen is still here too. $1300 at Samsung

Google's fingerprints are all over the new Galaxy S25 series

Fast Pair support for hearing aids might soon be coming to Android Summary The Galaxy S25 will feature deeper Gemini integration, including a new side button trigger, Gemini extensions for Samsung's stock apps, and the ability to use chain commands. The S25 introduces a 'Now Bar' similar to iOS Live Activities, featuring lock screen smart space cards that can highlight real-time sports updates (powered by Google) and Google Maps integration for travel information, directions, and departure notifications. The Galaxy S25 will debut key accessibility updates, including new LE Audio features for hands-free calling and low-latency connection with compatible hearing aids, and compatibility with Gemini-powered Talkback 15 and HID-based braille displays, offering improved image descriptions and easier connectivity for users with low or no vision. The wait is finally over! Samsung's Galaxy S25 series has now been unveiled, and although the South Korean tech giant flaunted several of the devices' new bells and whistles on stage, there sure was a lot more than meets the eye. Samsung and Google's close partnership is no secret, and the sheer amount of software-side upgrades the two have ported over to the S25 series is a testament to that. Similar to Circle to Search with the Galaxy S24, Google has today demoed several new features on the Galaxy S25 that are destined to reach the broader Android smartphone market, making the new Galaxy flagships a launchpad for its endeavors. Related Samsung's Galaxy S25 trio is more than meets the eye One UI 7 is at the center of this year's launch Posts In a separate blog post that coincided with the Unpacked event, Google highlighted that Samsung users will soon have a new way to trigger the Gemini assistant -- one that mirrors the Pixel implementation. Up until now, those using Gemini as the default assistant on their Samsung device have been limited to a bottom left/bottom right-to-center swipe gesture to pull up the assistant, with Bixby taking up the prime side button real estate. According to the tech giant's announcement today, users should soon be able to map the side button to trigger Gemini. Whether that happens with a Gemini or Google app update, or if it's part of the broader One UI 7 update is currently unclear. If the latter is true, we'll see the new shortcut in action on the new Galaxy S25 first. Samsung's stock apps will soon work better with Gemini Source: Google With the quick trigger, Samsung users will also soon be able to call up Gemini to set reminders, register notes, probe about appointments, and more -- all in natural, conversational language. This is thanks to new dedicated Gemini extensions for stock apps like Samsung Reminder, Samsung Calendar, Samsung Notes and Samsung Clock, which come in addition to existing ones like YouTube, YouTube Music, Spotify, Google Maps, Utilities, and more. Related Gemini extensions for Samsung stock apps could supercharge Galaxy AI on the S25 Samsung continues to embrace Google AI Posts Additionally, the AI-enabled assistant can now understand chain commands, which means you can ask it to complete tasks connected to enabled extensions in one sentence. This can include conversational commands like "Look up Google Maps for vegan restaurants in a 3-mile radius and ask [xyz person] to meet me there at 7pm," or "Check my calendar for today's team meeting and set a reminder for 30 minutes before it." Speaking of conversational commands, Google also announced that starting today, Samsung Galaxy S25, S24, and Pixel 9 series users should be able to add images, files, and YouTube videos to Gemini Live conversations, allowing you to probe the contextual and conversational AI assistant in a more nuanced way. Source: Google Now Bar sports Google's software prowess Elsewhere, Samsung's newly-announced Now Bar, which is essentially similar to Live Activities over on iOS, supports lock screen smart space cards that can highlight real-time sports updates without you having to keep a separate app open. According to Google, the cards will only highlight the teams you follow on Google (via the Discover page), saying that the "Now Bar will ensure you are clued into all the action by bringing key match updates about the teams you follow on Google right to your lock screen. With a single glance at your phone, you'll know when a match is on and be able to follow live with scores and more." Users will be able to dive deeper into the match and relevant information by simply tapping the card, which will initiate a Google Search. Source: Google Additionally, the Now Bar also integrates with Google Maps, providing users with real-time travel information, directions at a glance, and even timely departure notifications "like when to leave for an appointment based on current traffic." A more inclusive Galaxy Google and Samsung have also teamed up on the accessibility front, with several key updates debuting with the Galaxy S25 series. For starters, the new flagship series will implement new LE Audio features that enable hands-free calling, personalized audio adjustments, and low-latency connection when a Galaxy S25 series device running Android 15-based One UI 7 is paired with a GN ReSound and Oticon Intent hearing aid. Close The integration will also land on Pixel 9 series devices running Android 16 beta, and on last year's Galaxy S24 series "in the coming weeks." Google has also recently been spotted working on Fast Pair support for hearing aids, though we're not entirely sure if that's rolling today. Related Fast Pair support for hearing aids might soon be coming to Android A huge leap for accessibility Posts Elsewhere, Google's Gemini-powered Talkback 15, which was previously reported as incompatible with Samsung devices, will finally land on the Galaxy S25, and it will be compatible with Human Interface Device (HID)-based braille displays. This should not only enable users to gain more detailed image descriptions that are powered by Gemini, but also allow users with low or no vision to connect their display to the Galaxy S25 without having to follow convoluted steps. Further, in a major win for accessibility, Google added that "over the coming months this functionality will begin to work on any phone or tablet using Android 15." Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung's Galaxy S25 keeps things small without sacrificing power. With a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and all sorts of tools courtesy of Galaxy AI, this is everything you expect from a modern flagship squeezed into a relatively svelte chassis. $800 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung's Galaxy S25+ finds just the right middle ground between its two siblings. With a 6.7-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM, this smartphone includes practically everything you could ask for in the modern AI age, without driving up the price. $1000 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through -- and yes, that S Pen is still here too. $1300 at Samsung

Samsung's Galaxy S25 arrives with a better Google Gemini | TechCrunch

At Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, the company unveiled the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. Google marked the occasion with a slew of Android updates, including key updates to its AI assistant, Gemini. Starting today, users can access an improved Gemini, which integrates into apps and services across a device. In a single prompt, you can ask the AI to perform multiple actions across different apps. For instance, if you're looking for a restaurant nearby and want to share the options with someone, Gemini can utilize Google Maps to generate recommendations and then compose a message to send via Google Messages. The company also launched new Gemini Extensions for Samsung Calendar, Samsung Clock, Samsung Notes, and Samsung Reminder. Additionally, Samsung introduced new features for Gemini Live, Google's voice-based feature that offers a conversational experience. For example, you can practice an important presentation with the assistant and receive immediate spoken feedback. Users can also upload images, files, and even YouTube videos into the conversation, making Gemini Live more multimodal and context-aware. In the coming months, Samsung will launch Project Astra capabilities, which is Google's real-time, multimodal AI assistant. The new additions include screen sharing and live video streaming. These will first appear on the Gemini app on Android and then the Galaxy S25 line. The announcements arrive alongside a new side button for the Galaxy S25 series that allows you to quickly access Gemini. With a single press, you can ask the AI to perform tasks like setting a reminder, saving a note, or telling you about an upcoming meeting. You can pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S25 series today. It begins shipping on February 7.

Samsung Unpacked: Samsung's Galaxy S25 arrives with a better Google Gemini | TechCrunch

At Samsung's Unpacked 2025 on Wednesday, the company unveiled the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. Google marked the occasion with a slew of Android updates, including key updates to its AI assistant, Gemini. Starting Wednesday, users can access an improved Gemini, which integrates into apps and services across a device. In a single prompt, you can ask the AI to perform multiple actions across different apps. For instance, if you're looking for a restaurant nearby and want to share the options with someone, Gemini can utilize Google Maps to generate recommendations and then compose a message to send via Google Messages. The company also launched new Gemini Extensions for Samsung Calendar, Samsung Clock, Samsung Notes, and Samsung Reminder. Additionally, Samsung introduced new features for Gemini Live, Google's voice-based feature that offers a conversational experience. For example, you can practice an important presentation with the assistant and receive immediate spoken feedback. Users can also upload images, files, and even YouTube videos into the conversation, making Gemini Live more multimodal and context-aware. In the coming months, Samsung will launch Project Astra capabilities, which is Google's real-time, multimodal AI assistant. The new additions include screen sharing and live video streaming. These will first appear on the Gemini app on Android and then the Galaxy S25 line. The announcements arrive alongside a new side button for the Galaxy S25 series that allows you to quickly access Gemini. With a single press, you can ask the AI to perform tasks like setting a reminder, saving a note, or telling you about an upcoming meeting. You can preorder the Samsung Galaxy S25 series Wednesday. It begins shipping on February 7.

Samsung's Galaxy S25 supports Google's multimodal Gemini Nano AI model

Samsung Galaxy S25's free Galaxy AI access may only last until 2025 ends If you caught the Samsung Galaxy S25 launch today, you probably heard one word a lot: AI. It's the hottest trend in tech right now. Samsung talked up its new Galaxy AI features at Unpacked, and a bunch of them run directly on the device thanks to the improved chipset. This new chipset also brings support for Google's latest multimodal Gemini Nano model, which was a Pixel exclusive until recently. Related Gemini Nano: Everything you need to know Privacy-first AI, right in your pocket Posts Gemini Nano is the smallest in Google's Gemini family of large language models. It's designed to run directly on phones, which have less memory and tighter power limits than PCs and cloud servers. There are currently two versions of Gemini Nano for Android, both based on the Gemini 1.0 models. First up, there's the original Gemini Nano that launched with the Pixel 8 series in late 2023. This one only works with text, so it powers things like Magic Compose in Google Messages, but not a whole lot else. You can find this version of Gemini Nano on a bunch of Android phones, including some Samsung models. Related Gemini 2.0: The good, the bad, and the meh Gemini 2.0 brings useful new features and enhancements Posts 12 Then there's the updated Gemini Nano that showed up with the Pixel 9 series last year. This one's multimodal, meaning it handles not just text, but also images, voice, and audio. This beefed-up model powers Pixel 9 exclusives like Call Notes and Pixel Screenshots. It also powers on-device AI image descriptions in TalkBack, an Android accessibility feature that reads what's on the screen. The Galaxy S25 also has this feature, using Google's multimodal Gemini Nano to make it happen. Before today's launch, Google let us know that TalkBack image descriptions on the Samsung Galaxy S25 would be powered by Gemini. We asked Google if these descriptions were generated by Gemini on the device itself or in the cloud, and a spokesperson told us this: "Yes, image descriptions for TalkBack make use of Gemini Nano and will use on-device models with multimodality. TalkBack is the first Samsung and first non-Google app to use AI Core." - Google spokesperson We also verified the Galaxy S25 supports Google's multimodal Gemini Nano model. The AICore app on the Galaxy S25 we checked out took up 4GB of space, just like on the Pixel 9. But on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the same app only took up 1GB since it downloaded the smaller, text-only version. When we turned on automatic image descriptions in TalkBack, it told us it needed to download a model to work. This model is needed because the images are processed right on the device, not in the cloud. But before we could download it, we had to agree to Google's Generative AI Terms of Service, which confirmed they were using their model for this. Close If you use TalkBack as your screen reader, you'll probably get a lot of use out of this on the Samsung Galaxy S25. Tons of images online don't have descriptions, but this feature helps you understand what they're showing anyway. Google recently gave developers early access to a Gemini Nano API, so hopefully we'll see some cool new uses for the AI. Now that the OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S25 support it, there's even more reason for developers to jump on board. Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung's Galaxy S25 keeps things small without sacrificing power. With a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and all sorts of tools courtesy of Galaxy AI, this is everything you expect from a modern flagship squeezed into a relatively svelte chassis. $800 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung's Galaxy S25+ finds just the right middle ground between its two siblings. With a 6.7-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM, this smartphone includes practically everything you could ask for in the modern AI age, without driving up the price. $1000 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through -- and yes, that S Pen is still here too. $1300 at Samsung

Samsung debuts new Galaxy S25 smartphone series with Google's Gemini AI assistant - SiliconANGLE

Samsung debuts new Galaxy S25 smartphone series with Google's Gemini AI assistant Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. today debuted the Galaxy S25 smartphone series, its new flagship line of Android handsets. The product family comprises three devices: the top-end S25 Ultra, the mid-range S25 Plus and the entry-level S25. All three use Google LLC's Gemini as the default artificial intelligence assistant, replacing Samsung's internally-developed Bixby chatbot. The version of Gemini installed on the devices is the first to include a feature collection called Project Astra that the search giant first previewed last May. Samsung's new top-end S25 Ultra handset features a 6.9-inch display with a refresh rate of 120 frames per second. The screen is made from Gorilla Armor 2, a glass ceramic material manufactured by Coring Inc. Samsung says that it's better at mitigating glare than the S24 Ultra's panel, less prone to scratches and can withstand falls from up to 7.2 feet. The device's frame is made from titanium to further boost its durability. The camera array, meanwhile, has been upgraded with the addition of a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens. It replaces the 12-megapixel module that shipped with the previous-generation S24 Ultra. Samsung's two other new smartphones, the S25 Plus and S25, feature 6.7-inch and 6.2-inch displays, respectively. They share certain features with the flagship S25 Ultra, most notably the processor. All three handsets feature Qualcomm Inc.'s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile processor. The S25 series uses a customized version of the chip made using a three-nanometer manufacturing process. According to Samsung, the customized Snapdragon 8 Elite's onboard central processing unit is 27% faster than Qualcomm's previous-generation silicon. The onboard graphics card has received a 30% speed boost. Samsung introduced the three devices today alongside a fourth, upcoming smartphone called S25 Edge. The company has not yet detailed the device's hardware specifications. According to Bloomberg, the S25 is significantly thinner than the other handsets in the series and is set to ship during the first half of the year. The S25 series ships with a new set of software features headlined by Gemini, Google's AI assistant. It has replaced Samsung's Bixby chatbot as the default option, but the latter service will remain available to users. According to the company, the S25 series is the first handset family to feature Project Astra. It's an upgrade to Gemini that Google first previewed at its Google I/O developer conference last May. Project Astra enables the assistant to process multimodal data such as images, as well as interact with other apps on the user's handset. The technology is complemented by a collection of software integrations built into the S25. Those integrations enable Gemini to retrieve data from several of Google's apps. Users can, for example, ask the chatbot to generate driving directions between two points based on information in Google Maps. Gemini now also provides integrations for several Samsung apps including Samsung Calendar, Notes, Reminder and Clock. Meanwhile, another new feature called Now Brief can likewise aggregate information such as weather alerts from the user's apps. It displays data in a new dedicated interface section. The entry-level S25 starts at $799, while the S25 Plus and S25 Ultra will be available from $999 and $1,299, respectively.

The Samsung Galaxy S25's side button fires up Google Gemini

A new day has dawned for the Samsung side button. At Samsung Unpacked 2025 on Wednesday, the company announced a small -- but meaningful -- tweak arriving on the Galaxy S25 line. As it continues to focus more efforts on mobile AI, Samsung is offering up easier access to Google Gemini, by way of the button. The news arrives after years of failed attempts to gain traction with Samsung's own Bixby smart assistant. It also follows word that Gemini is effectively replacing Google Home on Android devices -- though the assistant will live on through smart home products like the Nest thermostat. Generative AI generally -- and Gemini specifically -- were at the heart of Wednesday's Unpacked event. Mobile companies are increasingly looking toward platforms like this -- and Apple Intelligence/ChatGPT -- to justify device updates that were once largely the realm of hardware advancements. But the offerings on the S25 are still driven by neural cores on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. In line with Apple's recent updates to Siri, Gemini offers more cross-app functionality, via Google apps like Maps, YouTube, and Messages, along with Spotify. Extensions also provides access to useful Samsung apps, including Reminder, Calendar, Notes, and Clock. Much like Google's Home pivot, Samsung hasn't abandoned Bixby. Earlier this month at CES, the company showcased how the smart assistant will live on via its line of appliances and other home products. The Samsung Galaxy S25 line is up for preorder and set to start shipping on February 7.

Samsung Unpacked: The Samsung Galaxy S25's side button fires up Google Gemini | TechCrunch

A new day has dawned for the Samsung side button. At Samsung Unpacked 2025 on Wednesday, the company announced a small -- but meaningful -- tweak arriving on the Galaxy S25 line. As it continues to focus more efforts on mobile AI, Samsung is offering up easier access to Google Gemini, by way of the button. The news arrives after years of failed attempts to gain traction with Samsung's own Bixby smart assistant. It also follows word that Gemini is effectively replacing Google Home on Android devices -- though the assistant will live on through smart home products like the Nest thermostat. Generative AI generally -- and Gemini specifically -- were at the heart of Wednesday's Unpacked event. Mobile companies are increasingly looking toward platforms like this -- and Apple Intelligence/ChatGPT -- to justify device updates that were once largely the realm of hardware advancements. But the offerings on the S25 are still driven by neural cores on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. In line with Apple's recent updates to Siri, Gemini offers more cross-app functionality, via Google apps like Maps, YouTube, and Messages, along with Spotify. Extensions also provides access to useful Samsung apps, including Reminder, Calendar, Notes, and Clock. Much like Google's Home pivot, Samsung hasn't abandoned Bixby. Earlier this month at CES, the company showcased how the smart assistant will live on via its line of appliances and other home products. The Samsung Galaxy S25 line is up for preorder and set to start shipping on February 7.

Google rolls out Gemini AI and enhanced accessibility features for Samsung Galaxy S25 Series

At Galaxy Unpacked in San Jose, Google introduced a series of exciting Android updates designed specifically for the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. These updates bring advanced AI features, enhanced accessibility tools, and family-friendly options, ensuring users enjoy a more seamless and dynamic experience. Google's Gemini AI is now even more accessible on Samsung devices, offering powerful functionalities that cater to both casual users and tech enthusiasts. A simple long press on the side button of your Samsung Galaxy device activates Gemini instantly, ready to assist with tasks or respond to content on your screen. Advanced users will also gain access to Deep Research within the Gemini mobile app later this week. This feature is designed to help users save hours of research while on the go. Gemini now integrates seamlessly with several apps and services on Samsung devices. Beyond Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail, and Spotify, new extensions are available for Samsung Reminder, Calendar, Notes, and Clock on the Galaxy S25 series. Gemini's multi-extension prompts enable users to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously. For example, you can ask Gemini to find high-protein lunch recipes and save them instantly to Samsung Notes or Google Keep. If you're looking for outdoor restaurants, Gemini can connect to Google Maps to find options and draft a message in Google Messages to share with friends. Gemini Live, introduced on January 22, 2025, enables real-time spoken responses, making it easier to brainstorm ideas, simplify complex topics, or rehearse important moments. The update also allows you to add images, files, and YouTube videos to conversations, providing a richer, more interactive experience. Currently rolling out to Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S25, and Pixel 9 devices, Gemini Live features will be available on more Android devices in the coming weeks. Project Astra promises exciting new features for Gemini, such as screen sharing and live video streaming. These capabilities will debut on the Gemini mobile app for Android, starting with the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, and will expand to other Android devices in the coming months. The Now Bar on the Galaxy S25 brings real-time sports scores, directions, and appointment reminders right to your lock screen. Sports fans can track live updates for their favorite teams, while Google Maps integration ensures timely notifications for directions and appointments. Google's Circle to Search now enhances visual searches with AI-powered overviews, offering easy-to-read summaries with links for further exploration. Circle an image of a dish, landmark, or antique, and get a quick snapshot of information. Circle to Search also includes one-tap actions for tasks such as calling, emailing, or visiting websites, simplifying your user experience. Google is launching significant updates to improve accessibility on Android, particularly for Samsung Galaxy S25 users. These updates cater to individuals who are d/Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision, making Android devices more inclusive. The new LE Audio feature on Galaxy S25 devices enhances Bluetooth technology, enabling seamless integration with GN Hearing and Oticon Intent hearing aids. Key benefits include: LE Audio support is also coming to the Pixel 9 with Android 16 beta and will be available on Galaxy S24 devices with Android 15 soon. For users who are blind or have low vision, TalkBack 15 on the Galaxy S25 enhances accessibility by offering compatibility with braille displays that use the HID (Human Interface Device) standard. This update simplifies the process of connecting braille displays via Bluetooth, making it easier for users to interact with their devices. In the near future, TalkBack will feature more detailed image descriptions powered by Gemini models, allowing users to better understand visual content. These updates will be available on any device running Android 15, extending improved accessibility to a wider range of users. Google Family Link now enables parents to manage their child's Galaxy Watch7 LTE with the Galaxy Watch for Kids experience. This feature allows parents to approve contacts, monitor the watch's location, manage apps, and set school-time restrictions to minimize distractions. The update is rolling out in the U.S. and is supported by major carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Google Adds AI Shortcuts, Lock-Screen Updates, More to Galaxy S25 Series

Samsung's Android phones usually feature just enough differences from Google's mobile operating system to complicate writing how-to instructions. But the Korean conglomerate's Unpacked event on Wednesday featured Google bringing a set of Android features directly to Samsung's new Galaxy S25 series phones. They start with the side button that on previous Galaxy phones activated Samsung's Bixby assistant, then on later models invoked Google Assistant. On the S25, that button brings up Google's Gemini AI, although you can reset it to use those other assistant apps. Google's announcement emphasizes how this shortcut access to Gemini can pipe requests and instructions to other apps via its extensions. For instance, leaning on Google Maps for suitable restaurants and then drafting a text listing them in Google Messages. This S25 will also support the Gemini Live conversational mode's new ability to analyze pictures, files, and YouTube clips, but it's not alone in that: A separate Google post notes that this feature is also coming to the Galaxy S24 series and Google's Pixel 9 series, to be followed by "more Android devices in the coming weeks." The Now Bar feature on the lock screens of S25 phones, meanwhile, will feature Google-provided game updates on your designated teams as well as Google Maps directions and notifications (although you can already opt to have "glanceable directions" from that app shown on your lock screen). The Circle to Search feature that Google introduced last January is also getting new features, in the form of expanded "AI Overview" search results (which you should still double-check by following source links) and one-tap actions that can, for example, start a phone call with a tap of the phone-icon chip that will appear above a phone number. Accessibility Upgrades for S25, S24, and Pixel 9 Google's Unpacked smartphone news wraps up with accessibility upgrades. For users with hearing difficulties, Android's Bluetooth LE audio software will allow "hands-free calling, easy-to-use personalized audio adjustments and a low-latency connection to GN Hearing and Oticon Intent hearing aids," Google says. And for those with limited or no vision, Android's TalkBack screen reader will support quicker pairing with Braille displays that use the HID ("human interface device") protocol to connect to S25 phones via Bluetooth. A separate, short Google post about these accessibility improvements reveals that they won't be S25 exclusives: The hearing-aid features will come to Pixel 9 phones running the Android 16 beta as well as Galaxy S24 phones running the current Android 15 "in the coming weeks," while Google plans to make its screen-reader upgrades available on all phones and tablets running Android 15 "over the coming months." Finally, Google's Family Link app will support a new Galaxy Watch for Kids experience on Samsung's LTE Watch 7. That is a Samsung exclusive, as you'll need a recent Galaxy phone to set up that up; see our overview of this feature for more. One of Android's most valuable features, however, still won't be coming to the S25 or any other Samsung phones: the Hold For Me feature that frees Pixel phone users from having to listen to hold music and reminders of how valuable their call is.

All the Android updates coming to the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and more

Today at Galaxy Unpacked in San Jose, we showed you how we're continuing to reimagine the Android smartphone experience with AI at the core. Together with Samsung, here are all the Android updates we're bringing to the Galaxy S25 series and more. With Gemini on Android, you get a more powerful mobile assistant that provides contextual help based on what's on your screen. And now, Gemini is easily accessible on your Samsung devices, with a simple press of the side button.

Bye-bye, Bixby; Gemini is your personal assistant on the Galaxy S25

The Galaxy S25 lets users choose which voice assistant to summon with the power button without digging through Good Lock modules. Gemini is also selected by default. When asked about Bixby's future, a Samsung representative at our briefing said that it will continue to exist in its current form and even provide the backend for other AI experiences, but Samsung will focus on Gemini as the virtual assistant moving forward. The Galaxy S25 and other Samsung devices also benefit from some new Gemini features Google is set to roll out. Gemini is gaining the ability to "chain" actions across apps and services, like Google Maps, Messages, and more. This will depend on app extensions, and there's good news on that front. Gemini extensions will soon support Samsung's Reminders, Calendar, Notes, and Clock apps. All devices that support Gemini will have access to action chaining, including older Samsung models. This is good news for people like me who use Samsung's first-party apps, as these extensions will allow them to integrate with Gemini.