Will Samsung opt to place some of its Galaxy AI functionalities behind a paywall within the next two years? Indications from the Galaxy S24 Ultra product page seem to suggest this potential shift.
On the US website’s Galaxy S24 Ultra page, Samsung’s disclosure regarding Galaxy AI features is nestled in the footnotes: “Galaxy AI features will be accessible at no cost until the conclusion of 2025 on compatible Samsung Galaxy devices. Varied conditions may govern AI features offered by third-party entities.”
The concept of subscription-based software services is not novel—Adobe, for instance, offers various subscription options across its product range, while cloud service users can augment their storage capacity with additional purchases. Should Galaxy AI services transition to a paid model, the critical question arises: how much are consumers willing to invest in this service? Samsung would need to strike a delicate balance between revenue maximization and user base expansion if this strategy materializes.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI operates both locally on devices and in the cloud, with the distinction between these services remaining ambiguous. Certain Galaxy AI attributes mandate an internet connection and a Samsung Account. As the utilization of AI functionalities proliferates, the cost implications of providing resource-intensive AI services via the cloud could be substantial.
Can Samsung effectively position Galaxy AI to captivate consumers and instill a compelling desire to subscribe to the service?
Update: Sunday January 21: Despite the impressive debut of Galaxy AI and its pivotal role in the Galaxy S24 narrative, the window of exclusivity for the new handsets will be limited. The South Korean tech giant has affirmed its intention to extend Galaxy AI compatibility to earlier models. In a conversation with Android Authority , a company representative remarked, “Numerous Galaxy AI features unveiled with the Galaxy S24 will also be compatible with prior models such as the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5, and Galaxy Tab S9 series by 1H 2024. Stay tuned for further updates.” Galaxy AI is positioned as a standalone offering accessible across the Galaxy lineup, somewhat diminishing the impact of the Galaxy S24 range. While these may be Samsung’s inaugural AI-driven smartphones, the allure of upgrading from older devices has been somewhat diluted… contingent on the inclusion of AI features and associated costs.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked invitation (early 2024).
AI encompasses a broad spectrum of software tools, making it challenging to predict which will thrive, which will cater to niche markets, and which will falter—especially over a two-year horizon. Samsung might not have reached a definitive verdict regarding the role of Galaxy AI in its 2026 strategies, potentially necessitating a caveat about the prospect of service degradation, as illustrated here.
Regrettably, uncertainties loom over the long-term strategies of the Galaxy S24 series and Galaxy AI software.
