Short answer: Galaxy AI is Samsung’s name for the collection of AI features built into its Galaxy phones, tablets and wearables. It covers things like live call translation, photo editing, note and recording summaries and a daily briefing, using a mix of Samsung’s own models and Google’s Gemini. Samsung has confirmed its basic Galaxy AI features are free, with no expiry date. Here’s what it actually does and what’s worth using.
What is Galaxy AI?
Galaxy AI is a brand, not a single app. It launched with the Galaxy S24 series in 2024 and bundles many AI-powered tools into the phone’s software, from the keyboard to the camera to the Gallery. Some run on the device itself, and others run in the cloud. Some are made by Samsung, and others, like Gemini and Circle to Search, come from Google.
The main Galaxy AI features
Communication
- Live Translate: translates phone calls as they happen
- Interpreter: translates a face-to-face conversation, with each person seeing the translation on their side. It works especially well on a foldable that stands up on its own, and I cover it in my Galaxy Z Flip 7 tips.
- Chat Assist: helps you adjust the tone of messages or translate them from the keyboard
Productivity
- Transcript Assist: turns voice recordings into text and summaries
- Note Assist: summarizes and formats your notes
- Browsing Assist: summarizes web pages in Samsung’s browser
- Writing Assist: helps rewrite and polish text
- Now Brief: a personalized daily summary with your schedule, weather and other useful info
Photos and video
- Photo Assist: AI-powered photo editing, such as removing or moving objects
- Audio Erase: separates voices, music and background noise in a video so you can turn each up or down
- AI wallpapers and stickers: create your own wallpapers and chat stickers from a text prompt
I walk through several of these in my posts on the top 5 Galaxy S25 Ultra features and 11 hidden Galaxy S25 Ultra features.
Google features inside Galaxy AI
- Gemini: Google’s AI assistant, which can answer questions, set reminders and calendar events, and help with tasks across your apps
- Circle to Search: circle, highlight or tap anything on your screen to search for it, including songs and text in images
What’s new on the Galaxy S26
Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series in February 2026 with One UI 8.5, and called it an “agentic phone.” The AI additions include:
- Now Nudge: real-time suggestions based on what you’re doing, such as surfacing the photo someone just asked for in a chat, or flagging a calendar clash
- A rebuilt Bixby: it understands natural language better and can change settings from a plain request
- More AI assistants to choose from: Perplexity joins Gemini and Bixby, and you can open them with the side button or by voice
- Gemini agent tasks: an early preview of Gemini carrying out tasks for you inside apps, starting with a small set of services
- Ask AI in Samsung’s browser: a Perplexity-powered research tool
I used the regular Galaxy S26 for a few days, and I wrote about what it made me think in Do we actually need the best?
Is Galaxy AI free?
When Galaxy AI launched, Samsung’s fine print said the features were free “through 2025,” which worried a lot of owners. In January 2026, Samsung updated its support pages to say that its basic Galaxy AI features are free. It also said that future releases may include enhanced features or new services offered on a paid basis, and that AI features from third parties, such as Google, may have different terms.
In short: the tools you use today from Samsung are free, but Samsung hasn’t ruled out charging for new, more advanced services later. No prices or timeline have been announced.
Which devices have Galaxy AI?
It began on the Galaxy S24 series and has since spread to other recent Galaxy phones, foldables and tablets, with select features on Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds. Which features you get depends on the device and software version, so check Samsung’s supported device list for your exact model. On your phone, look for the Advanced intelligence settings, though the exact menu path can differ between One UI versions.
Is Galaxy AI private?
It depends on the feature. Some run on the phone itself, and others send data to the cloud. For the cloud features, Samsung says your data is processed to deliver an answer and then deleted. If privacy matters to you, you can review which features are switched on in settings and turn off the ones you don’t want.
Frequently asked questions
What does Galaxy AI do?
It adds AI tools across the phone: translating calls and conversations, summarizing notes, recordings and web pages, editing photos, creating wallpapers and stickers, giving you a daily briefing and, with Google’s Gemini, helping with tasks and questions.
Is Galaxy AI the same as Gemini?
No. Galaxy AI is Samsung’s overall brand for its AI features. Gemini is Google’s AI assistant, which is one part of the experience, alongside Samsung’s own tools.
Will Galaxy AI become a paid subscription?
Samsung says its basic Galaxy AI features are free. It has said that future enhanced features or new services may be paid, so some new tools could cost extra.
Which Galaxy phones have Galaxy AI?
It started with the Galaxy S24 series and now covers many recent Galaxy phones, foldables and tablets. Check Samsung’s list for your model, since features vary by device.
What’s new in Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S26?
Now Nudge, a rebuilt Bixby, Perplexity as another AI assistant alongside Gemini, early Gemini agent tasks inside apps, and Ask AI in Samsung’s browser.
Is Galaxy AI worth using?
In my experience, the best features aren’t the flashy ones, they’re the small ones that save time every day: a quick summary, a translated call, a reminder set by voice, or a photo cleaned up in seconds. You don’t need to use all of it. Pick the few tools that fit your day, and ignore the rest.
This guide reflects Samsung’s announcements and press coverage as of October 25, 2026, and details may change.