Samsung unveiled its latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S24, during the Unpacked 2024 event today. While the reveal of the newest devices didn’t hold many surprises, there was unexpected news regarding older phones—they are set to join the AI revolution.
The new S24 boasts AI capabilities as a significant selling point, such as a generative editing feature akin to Google’s Magic Editor, the functionality to highlight information within an app for a quick Google search (also slated for the Pixel 8), live translation, a chat assistant that adapts to the tone of your messages, voice memo transcription and summarization, among other features.
Some of these AI functionalities are integrated into the device itself and rely on specific hardware, while others are cloud-based and do not require processing power on the S24. To fully utilize all features, the latest device is recommended, but Samsung has confirmed that certain AI features will be extended to older devices.
The eligible devices for these updates include the S23 series, the S23 FE, the Z Fold 5, the Z Flip 5, and Tab S9 series. The rollout of these new features is anticipated before June.
The specifics of the features making their way to older devices remain undisclosed, but it is likely to be the cloud-based capabilities such as photo editing, similar to how Google introduced Magic Erase to previous devices. The standout features, like real-time phone call translations, typically operate directly on the device, so users may not experience all the premium functionalities.
However, there is a caveat. Samsung has announced that these features will be accessible for free until the conclusion of 2025. The future availability of these features post-2025 remains uncertain, raising questions about potential subscription charges or discontinuation.
Nevertheless, the inclusion of these highly acclaimed AI features for approximately a year and a half will undoubtedly enhance the user experience for Galaxy owners. It may serve as a teaser to prompt users to consider upgrading or subscribing once the complimentary period expires.
