Samsung Tests $4.99 Galaxy AI Premium Subscription With Gen Video and Bixby Action Features

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Samsung is testing Galaxy AI Premium, a $4.99 monthly subscription that adds Gen Video for AI-generated videos, Bixby Action for task automation, and Daily Briefing. The paid tier offers four times higher usage limits while 19 existing AI features remain free, though with new usage restrictions that could require credit pack purchases.

Samsung Introduces Galaxy AI Premium Testing Program

Samsung has begun testing Galaxy AI Premium, a paid subscription service discovered in One UI 9.5 code by SammyGuru

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. The Samsung AI subscription is priced at $4.99 per month or $47.99 annually

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, marking a significant shift for features that have remained free since Galaxy AI launched with the Galaxy S24 series in January 2024

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. The company is conducting early access testing where participants will receive full refunds after the trial period concludes

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Source: PC Magazine

Source: PC Magazine

The move aligns with Samsung's original disclaimer that Galaxy AI features would remain "complimentary through 2025"

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. Since January 1, 2026, Samsung updated its website to state that "Galaxy AI basic features provided by Samsung are free," signaling this transition

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. Code within the trial suggests the premium version may initially launch exclusively on the upcoming Galaxy S27 series before expanding to other devices

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Three New AI Features Behind the Paywall

Galaxy AI Premium introduces three exclusive AI features not available in the free tier. Gen Video enables users to generate AI-generated videos from their photos, representing Samsung's entry into AI video creation

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. Bixby Action provides task automation across multiple apps, functioning as an AI agent to streamline workflows

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. Daily Briefing remains somewhat mysterious, though speculation suggests it could resemble Gemini Daily Brief functionality

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Source: TechRadar

Source: TechRadar

These compute-intensive features reflect industry trends toward monetizing AI capabilities. Google limits access to its latest Gemini models behind AI Pro plans starting at $19.99 per month, while Apple similarly restricts certain AI features to higher subscription tiers

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. Samsung's $4.99 monthly pricing positions Galaxy AI Premium as a more affordable alternative while still generating revenue from advanced AI features.

Free Tier Remains But With Usage Limits

Samsung has committed to keeping 19 core AI features free forever, including Live Translate, Note Assist, Writing Assist, Audio Eraser, Photo Assist, Browsing Assist, and Health Assist

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. The free tier also includes Now Brief, Creative Studio, Smart Capture, Samsung Keyboard, and Personal Agent

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. However, Samsung is introducing strict usage limits on these free features for the first time.

Source: Digital Trends

Source: Digital Trends

Once users exhaust their usage limits, they must purchase credit packs to continue accessing AI features

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. The subscription model provides a middle ground: Galaxy AI Premium subscribers receive four times higher usage limits compared to free users

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. This approach allows Samsung to honor its promise of free basic features while monetizing heavy usage and premium capabilities.

Market Reception and Implementation Questions

Early reactions on Reddit have been largely negative, with comments ranging from "not a single one of their AI features [is] worth paying for" to "dead on arrival"

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. The skepticism stems from Samsung having offered Galaxy AI completely free for over two years, making the transition to a paid model a jarring change for existing users

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Critical questions remain unanswered about implementation. Samsung hasn't clarified whether existing Galaxy device owners will maintain unlimited access to current features or face new usage restrictions

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. The company also hasn't announced which devices beyond the Galaxy S27 will support the premium features. Regional availability appears unrestricted in the app code, though initial rollout will likely focus on South Korea and the United States

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. Samsung is expected to provide clarity when it launches the Galaxy S27 series and potentially implements these changes with One UI 9.5

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