Samsung won’t charge you for Galaxy AI features (or at least some of them)

Along with the Galaxy S24 lineup, Samsung has launched Galaxy AI, a useful set of AI-based features for Samsung’s flagship users. At the launch, the Korean giant said that its on-device and cloud-based AI tools would remain integrated “until 2025.”

However, the company has reportedly changed the footnotes on the official Galaxy AI landing page, opening the door to charging for some, if not all, of the AI ​​features. “Samsung’s core Galaxy AI features are free,” the updated footnote says (via Android Authority).

Paid “enhanced” features may be on the horizon

But what are the “basic” Galaxy AI features? According to the Samsung Services Terms and Conditions webpage, the list of basic features includes a total of 13 features, including but not limited to Call Assist, Typing Assist, Photo Assist, Notes Assist, Transcription Assist, Browsing Assist, Interpreter, Now Feed, and Audio Eraser.

However, the updated footnote also states that Samsung may launch some “enhanced features” in the future, “on a paid basis.”

Although it’s not immediately clear what the enhanced features include, they could be Galaxy AI features based on third-party services or AI models. The company clearly wants to separate its in-house AI features from those offered by other companies, and it may be the latter that attracts certain fees.

“Any Samsung Enhanced AI features and all third-party AI features are subject to different terms and may be subject to fees.” In my opinion, “Samsung Enhanced” can refer either to advanced in-house AI tools (which are outsourced to third-party services on the backend) or to features built on third-party licensed models.

In other words, it could be that cloud-based AI features (and perhaps new features) might be available for a small fee.

We already know that Samsung uses Google’s Gemini AI Assistant, Gemini Live, and Circle to Search, and the same is true for every other major Android manufacturer.

If Google changes its licensing terms with OEMs, manufacturers may have to absorb the cost or pass it on to users, regardless of whether they own a mid-range or flagship Android device.

For now, Samsung Prime buyers (and other eligible device owners) can rest assured that most Galaxy AI features will remain free.